Mark Timlin has decided to retire from football at the age of 28.
The Buncrana man enjoyed a successful career in the League of Ireland, playing for Derry City, St. Patrick’s Athletic and Finn Harps.
Timlin won the League of Ireland Cup with St. Pats in 2016 and scored the opener in Finn Harps’ promotion play-off second leg against Limerick in 2018.
Timlin began his career with his local side Buncrana Hearts and received a contract with Ipswich Town after a trial in 2011.
He came home however in 2014 and signed with Derry City, having two successful seasons at The Candystripes.
His form at Derry earned him a move to St. Pats in 2016, winning the League of Ireland Cup in his sole season in the capital before returning to Derry for a year.
He then moved to Finn Harps and helped Ollie Horgan’s side regain promotion after a season in the First Division, as he scored in the Markets Fields to make it 2-0 on aggregate over Limerick in the play-off.
Timlin has however had a tough spell of injuries over the last couple of years.
Timlin made 26 appearances in 2022, his most in a season in his six year spell at Finn Park, although the majority of them came off the bench.
He is now focusing on his career as an accountant, in which he is soon to be fully qualified.
Timlin posted on social media: “As the old saying goes – All good things must come to an end!
“After a gruelling few years of injury I’ve made the tough decision to hang up my football boots.
“This decision was not arrived at easily nor was it one I ever thought I’d have to make before I entered my thirties.
“If someone had told 14/15 year old me that I’d be retiring at 28 and on the brink of becoming a fully qualified accountant only god knows what I’d have said back in response, it might have been colourful!
“I’ll look back fondly on my football career, having met some terrific people and experienced some brilliant moments.
“All that being said, I can now fully focus on my career in accounting and finance and I am hoping that the many skills and discipline that I’ve developed as an athlete can help me fully transition from a professional footballer to an accountant!
“I’m excited to see what the future holds!”
