Republic of Ireland and Coventry City player Keith O'Neill has been forced to retire from football due to injury, at the age of just 27. O'Neill announced his decision to quit the game following a prolonged back problem, which was just the last of many injuries that plagued and finally destroyed his once promising career. O'Neill's versatility saw him break into the Ireland set-up, while Gordon Strachan signed him for the Sky Blues in the summer of 2001 from Middlesbrough. O'Neill was equally comfortable as an attacking winger on either flank, a striker, a midfielder or even as a wing-back, though the left side of midfield was where he was most comfortable. A sad O'Neill revealed: "As you can imagine, I feel robbed of my best footballing years but I have been lucky enough to live out a dream for the last 10. "I've also been fortunate enough to work alongside the world's best players and managers, that's been a great honour. "I wish Coventry every success for the future and am sorry I've not been able to contribute greatly over the last couple of years but for that, I can only apologise. "Finally, I retire content that I have had the opportunity to play football for the greatest nation in the world."