Former Republic of Ireland striker David Connolly has announced his retirement from football with immediate effect . The 37-year-old made over 400 senior club appearances during his career , with Watford , Feyenoord , Sunderland , Leicester and Southampton among a host of clubs he played for , while he won 41 international caps . Connolly joined Sky Bet League Two side Wimbledon in January after his contract with Portsmouth was cancelled by mutual consent but , after managing one goal in eight appearances , he has decided to hang up his boots following discussions with his manager and former team-mate Neal Ardley . Former Republic of Ireland striker David Connolly scores his side 's third goal against Cyrpus back in 2001 . Connolly told the Dons ' official website : ' I pulled Neal aside for a heart-to-heart chat and I felt that now was the time to call it a day . 'As time has gone on I felt that starting games was difficult and so too was travelling up and down the country to come off the bench for 10 minutes or so . Neal needed a striker that could play off ( Adebayo ) Akinfenwa and start games and that was n't me . ' Ardley told Dons Player : ' I tried to talk him around , but his mind was made up . I have invited David to come back and do coaching at the club whenever he is ready . ' Connolly played for a whole host of English clubs , including Sunderland ( pictured here in 2007 )
Former Republic of Ireland striker David Connolly has retired from football . Connolly won 41 international caps for his country . His former clubs include Watford , Sunderland , Leicester and Southampton . Most recently , Connolly played for Wimbledon side League Two .