Given quits int'l football

Shay Given earned the tribute "legend" from the Football Association of Ireland after the goalkeeper announced his retirement from international football on Thursday after a 20-year career.

The 40-year-old -- capped 134 times -- made his first appearance for his country against Russia in 1996 and played at the 2002 World Cup finals, where they reached the last 16, and Euro 2012.

He announced after that disastrous campaign that he was retiring from international football only to change his mind a few months later.

"It's every boy's dream to play football for his school, his local club, and maybe, in his wildest dreams, his country," Given, who was part of the Irish squad which reached the last-16 of Euro 2016, wrote on Twitter.

"I've been blessed that I was able to do this, from kickabouts in the back yard at home in County Donegal with my brothers, to playing for St Colomba's Collage Stranorlar, Lifford Celtic and then to making my debut with the Republic of Ireland aged 18.

"I'm one of the very lucky ones who got to wear the jersey for his country and wore the badge with pride 134 times. But now it's time to hang up the gloves and move from the onion bag to the terraces."