Rob Hennelly put his All-Ireland final nightmare behind him on Saturday when in action for his club side, Breaffy.
The goalkeeper made a costly error in Mayo’s one-point defeat to Dublin last Saturday in the All-Ireland final replay.
Hennelly received a black card after conceding a penalty early in the second half of the final at Croke Park, after being drafted into the starting line-up for the replay by manager Stephen Rochford to replace David Clarke.
Saturday was tough but it won't define this goalkeeper's career. It won't define him as a man https://t.co/LrsLnZIkB3
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) October 2, 2016
Mistakes happen in sport, at every level, but Hennelly was understandably inconsolable following the game.
In an Instagram post earlier this week, the 26-year-old thanked his friends, family and the Mayo fans for their support, and pledged his commitment to the Mayo team.
“I don’t know where I’ll be in a years time, but I do know that I’m not going to give up. I love Mayo and this team too much to do that.”
“It breaks my heart” https://t.co/xdWp89PhRE
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) October 3, 2016
A week on from the toughest day of sporting life, Hennelly’s club side Breaffy were in action against Davitts for place in the quarter-finals of the Mayo senior football championships.
Hennelly could have sat out the game, but his teammates and his club needed him. The ‘keeper started the game, putting the disappointment of last week at Croke Park behind him with a strong performance.
https://twitter.com/p_cunnane/status/784791608034295808
Breaffy won 2-11 to 0-11, and Hennelly produced a double save in the first-half on the way to keeping a clean sheet. The perfect response to a crushing disappointment.
Glad to hear @RobHennelly has already bounced back with a solid performance & clean sheet for @BreaffyGAA!
— GAA Goalkeepers (@KeepersGaa) October 8, 2016
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