Saturday evening may have seen the end of one of the great inter-county careers of recent times.
Earlier this year, prior to the Division Two final between Tyrone and Cavan, Sean Cavanagh admitted that there was a 'fair chance' the 2016 Championship would be the final chapter of his inter-county career. Promises had been made to family members that he would not limp to the end of his time at the top level.
If he does retire, it would be a pity then that Cavanagh's career came to a conclusion in such an inauspicious way. With just over 12 minutes remaining in the All-Ireland quarter-final between Tyrone and Mayo, Cavanagh was sent off after receiving a second yellow card. The booking, for a high tackle on Aidan O'Shea, looked somewhat harsh.
Nevertheless, David Gough pulled the red from his pocket and raised his right arm. Cavanagh trudged to the line, knowing the blow Tyrone's chances had just taken.
The two teams were deadlocked at 11 points each at the time. Just three more points were scored in the game as Mayo edged it by the minimum.
Three minutes after Cavanagh departed the Croke Park pitch, Andy Moran did so too as he was replaced by Evan Regan.
With the game on a knife-edge, there was a poignant moment between Moran and Cavanagh.
The Irish Sun's Gordon Manning witnessed Moran consoling a dejected Cavanagh. (The below picture was taken after the game.)
Touch of class from Andy Moran. After he was taken off Moran went over to shake hands with Sean Cavanagh, who is sitting on the sideline.
— Gordon Manning (@Gordon_Manning) August 6, 2016
Cavanagh and Moran are both players in the twilight of their careers. As someone who has felt major disappointment while playing inter-county football, Moran certainly knew what Cavanagh was going through.
