We will be lucky to see his likes again.
Sean Cavanagh’s inter-county career ended on a disappointing note on Sunday, with Tyrone suffering an annihilation at the hands of Dublin.
It was an ending so unjust and so unfitting for one of the game’s true greats, but by this stage we all know that the GAA has no room for fairytales.
If there was any man that deserved to bow out from our national game on a high note, it was definitely the Moy club man. He represented them with pride, he represented his county with pride, and in every game he played he brought the same ruthless determination and courage, whether he was representing his province or his country.
Cavanagh has been the heart and soul of Tyrone football for his sixteen seasons in the red and white, during which he made 89 appearances, won three All-Irelands, won six Ulster medals and a Footballer of the Year award in 2008.
The brilliant thing about Cavanagh was his consistency. You always knew what you were going to get with him, there was no head in the air, there was no frills, no uncertainties, what you saw was what you got.
Sometimes this attitude, so powerful in it’s inspiration and leadership, overshadowed the enviable, and truly rare all-round skill set that he possessed but those who played with him, and even more so those who played against him are well aware of this.
That’s why he was so well-respected, that’s why he was so widely admired, and this high-esteem in which he was held by his peers and opponents alike was confirmed after he played his last inter-county game on Sunday.
The Dublin lads queued up to shake his hand, to console him and to admire the great man, and the flurry of complimentary social media posts that done the rounds since are a true testament to the great man.
A true measure of Cavanagh’s class and genuine nature came to the fore at the final whistle of the match, when despite his understandable disappointment at how the game had gone, and while sharing the moment with his wife and with his kids, he still had time for an admiring you fan.
Sad to see poignancy of Sean Cavanagh and family at end but few footballers have served their county & game so magnificently for so long. pic.twitter.com/NBa4pWJEIk
— clíona foley (@ponyyelof) August 27, 2017
The Tyrone youngster watched on from the rafters in awe, as Cavanagh and his family enjoyed a moment of reflection, and his patience was rewarded as the 34-year-old turned to him to shake his hand, to thank him for his support.
You could just see he made the fan’s day.
A great act, a great man.
The passing of the torch.
