Derry legend Coyle retires

Liam Coyle earned one Northern Ireland cap

Derry City great Liam Coyle has announced his retirement.

The 36-year-old's decision to hang up his boots is no surprise as he has been increasingly troubled by injury over the last 12 months.

Coyle, who won a single Northern Ireland cap, will remain on at the club as chief scout.

Career highs included helping Derry win the League of Ireland treble in 1989 while he hit the only goal in the 2002 Cup Final win over Shamrock Rovers.

"I've been playing for 17 years at the top level domestically and I've enjoyed some magnificent occasions," said Coyle.

"Bit I've just completed a difficult season when injuries didn't heal as quickly as they would have done in years gone by."

Coyle was signed by Nottingham Forest weeks after helping Derry claim the treble in 1989 but his career looked to be over a year later when he picked up a serious knee injury.

Heartbroken, he returned home to Derry but he then was coaxed back into senior football by Omagh Town boss Roy McCreadie before eventually making his way back to the Candystripes.

His career also included brief spells with Finn Harps and Glentoran.

Coyle finished his Derry career in style by scoring the extra-time winner in last month's Eircom League promotion-relegation play-off final against neighbours Finn Harps.