Not all sporting careers have fairytale finishes.
Sean Cavanagh's Tyrone career ended on Sunday afternoon, as Dublin booked their place in the All-Ireland Final with a 2-16 to 0-11 win.
Last November, the 34-year-old said he would play for one more Championship season, but the 2008 Footballer of the Year could not add a fourth All-Ireland title to his collection.
Sunday's game was his 89th and final Championship game. The Moy native will be best remembered for his performances in Tyrone's 2008 triumph.
The consensus Player of the Year, he was also Man of the Match in the four-point win over Kerry in that final.
Cavanagh scored the opening score of the game against Dublin, but could not add to his tally before he was substituted midway through the second-half.
It's the end of an era for the Ulster side. 2018 will be a weird one, not seeing Cavanagh in white and red during the summer.
Hill 16 jeers Sean Cavanagh off the field, likely his last appearance for Tyrone. #GAA
— John Fogarty (@JohnFogartyIrl) August 27, 2017
Sean Cavanagh, literally,retires from the fray. A wonderful 16 seasons of being a gent and a fantastic player.
— david kelly (@dk3lly) August 27, 2017
Sean Cavanagh makes his final farewell after 89 championship appearances. Not his day but he's had many, many great ones in 16 years.
— Colm Keys (@KeysColm) August 27, 2017
Sad for Sean Cavanagh to go out like this #gaa
— Emma 🐾🌄☘️ (@Emma_Louise50) August 27, 2017
Sean Cavanagh 😓 No such thing as fairytale endings!!!
— Christine Murray (@chrismur11) August 27, 2017
Sean Cavanagh has been a helluva footballer. One of the true greats. #GAA #DubvTyrone
— Enda McHugh (@Ogie_Halfhand) August 27, 2017
Great Sean Cavanagh being called ashore. But he sailed far & wide, to stunning effect for many years. Always a hero ! #DublinVsTyrone
— Seán Kelly MEP (@SeanKellyMEP) August 27, 2017
Sean Cavanagh, one of the greats gone from our game!! Superb player... Pity it wasn't a thrilling exit #Tyrone
— Carolyn O Mahony (@carolynom_84) August 27, 2017
Sean Cavanagh jogs off, ending one of the great inter-county careers. An incredible player in full flight.
— Michael Foley (@MickFoley76) August 27, 2017
Thought Sean Cavanagh deserved a better reception than that when he came off. What a player! #dubvtyr
— Ciaran Sloan (@ciaran_sloan) August 27, 2017
Cavanagh was reportedly booed by Dublin fans on Hill 16 when he was substituted in the 55th minute. It was not the ending he deserved, but sport is not a fairytale.
