Kevin Hughes has become the latest Tyrone stalwart to bring his inter-county career to an end.

It brings to six the number of Mickey Harte's 2003 All-Ireland-winning team who have called time on their careers at this level since last year's All-Ireland quarter-final defeat to Dublin.

Over the last six months, captain Brian Dooher, Enda McGinley, Philip Jordan, Brian McGuigan and Ciaran Gourley have all signed off on that disappointed defeat.

Midfielder Hughes won an All-Ireland minor medal in 1998 and followed up with All-Ireland U-21 success in 2000 and '01 before winning his three All-Ireland senior medals in '03, '05 and '08.

Tyrone chairman Ciaran McLoughlin confirmed the retirement last night. "It's very disappointing when someone of the calibre of Kevin Hughes decides to hang up the boots," said McLaughlin.

"In some ways it is understandable after all of the work that men like 'Hub' have put in over the years."