Eamonn Breen, a long-standing member of the Kerry football team, has announced his retirement from inter-county football. A surprise statement from the Kerry county board yesterday revealed that their talented left half back has withdrawn from the county panel. Reasons for his decision were said to be personal. Breen is believed to have left for the Unites States yesterday morning.

It appears that he was considering the move for some time and that Kerry manager Paidi O Se tried to persuade him to change his mind without success.

Yesterday, Breen's father, Eddie, confirmed that his son was considering the matter for some time and said that the fact that his close friend, Liam Flaherty, was no longer a member of the Kerry squad tipped the scales in favour of retirement. Flaherty, who was believed to have been unhappy when not selected for the Tipperary game, dropped off the panel on Monday.

"The two of them are close pals and they travelled everywhere together. He has won All-Ireland medals at under-21 and at senior level and also a Railway Cup medal.

"He is 29 and feels that he has given enough to the game. Nowadays playing for the county is almost a full-time job. Himself and Paidi O Se are also close friends and there is no suggestion whatever of any problems between them," his father said.

A press release on Breen's decision was issued by the PRO of the county board, Willie O'Connor, yesterday. It said: "The Kerry County Board wishes to confirm that Eamonn Breen has withdrawn from the Kerry senior football panel. His withdrawal is particularly disappointing in view of the spirited performance of the Kerry football team in their match against Tipperary.

"The Kerry County Board would like to stress that Eamonn's decision is for personal reasons. The Kerry County Board respects the right of any player to withdraw from the panel for whatever reason. After all, it is an amateur game and players are entitled to decide for themselves their level of commitment."

"Of course Eamonn would be welcome back into the panel whenever he indicates his availability and we wish him every success."

Breen was sent off in the opening championship match against Tipperary, but was not facing suspension as his dismissal came as a result of two bookable offences.