'I did a bit of Gaelic football with the lads' says Séamus Coleman as decision on future looms

‘I did a bit of Gaelic football with the lads’ says Séamus Coleman as decision on future loomsSpeaking on Stick to Football and sitting next to his former Republic of Ireland assistant manager Roy Keane, Coleman admitted he was just training with Killybegs, and his local soccer club, to keep fit Tue, 08 Sep, 2026 – 13:09Andrew Horgan    

Séamus Coleman has confirmed that he will make a decision on his future “very soon” although it doesn’t look like he is set to rejoin his local Gaelic football club Killybegs.

The Donegal native left Everton at the end of last season having spent 17 years on the blue half of Merseyside following his move from Sligo Rovers for just £60,000.

Coleman then returned home for six weeks and rumours soon spread that he may be about to line out for Killybegs for their trip to Four Masters in their opening match in the Donegal Senior Football Championship at the beginning of August.

But speaking on Stick to Football and sitting next to his former Republic of Ireland assistant manager Roy Keane, Coleman admitted he was just training with them, and his local soccer club, to keep fit.

“I’ve been in Ireland for about six weeks, which was nice. I’ve been keeping fit and not stressing,” said the 37-year-old.

“I’m training, I’m ticking over, I’m training myself but it’s not the same but I’m trying to stay as fit as I can.

“Now the window is closed things might open up a little bit, but I’ll be making a decision, very, very soon.

“I’ve not been training with a team. I was back home for the six weeks, and I did a bit of Gaelic football with the lads back home, trained with the soccer team back home but just to stay fit and keep the movements going.”

Watch: Séamus Coleman confirms prolonging Ireland career was behind Everton exit

Coleman was in talks with Sheffield United about signing for the Championship club, but he admitted it just came too soon after leaving the Toffees.

The full back also confirmed he may have already retired had it not been for Heimir Hallgrímsson, who is keen for the experienced defender to remain in the Irish set-up for Euro 2028, which Ireland will co-host along with England, Scotland and Wales.

“I was probably done, 100 percent at the end of the season until I spoke to the Ireland manager,” added Coleman.

“I’d done quite well in Ireland games and got close to the World Cup – we got knocked out – but he mentioned about staying on to be part of it for Euros in a couple of years, but I know that’s a long way away.

“But that planted a seed in my mind that maybe I could carry on. I spoke with a club, and I met the manager and stuff, but it felt a little soon after leaving Everton.

“It all happened too soon, and I didn’t want to them hanging on because I didn’t want to mess them around when they are trying to get their players in, so I just went back to Ireland. It was Sheffield United.

“The manager was great, a little bit old school, the club was a good setup as well, but I didn’t want to keep them hanging on and decided it just wasn’t right, so I just went home and switched off.

“I’m not stressing either way about it to be honest. I’m quite laid back, I’ve had a good run, and it was more so just the Ireland stuff that has put a bit of doubt in my mind.

“Just because I’d been somewhere so long and it came quick; it was too quick. I’d finished with Ireland and they’d got on the phone a couple of days later. It just didn’t feel right.”

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