Sean Cavanagh has now made 87 championship appearances so he’s well used to a few bruises.
After Sunday, the Tyrone man will sit second in the all-time records for Gaelic Football and look at the company he keeps:
Stephen Cluxton – 88
Tomás Ó Sé – 88
Marc Ó Sé – 88
Sean Cavanagh – 87
Colm Cooper – 85
Tyrone dominated proceedings at St. Tiernach’s Park in Clones and ran out 2-17 to 0-15 winners in the end.
It was a nervy opening period though Mickey Harte’s men would’ve rued a number of gilt-edged chances going begging in that first half as Down were allowed a passage back into the Ulster final.
The Mournemen rallied and Sean Cavanagh – as evergreen as ever – was coming in and out of the game as Down ramped up the pressure.
Moving in and out from midfield, to half forward and on in further at times, the Moy man was wrecking havoc when he got a half opportunity and, although it wasn’t as all-consuming as he can be, some Gaels all over the country were just taken aback by how timeless the Red Hand skipper is.
But Down weren’t going to allow him the freedom of Monaghan to do the sort of damage that he can because the man is a savage when you give him a sniff.
After Cavanagh’s score, Niall McParland gave the Tyrone man plenty of close attention and looked for all the world to grab a hold of the attacker’s nipple and not in a friendly way – if there is a friendly way.
Sean Cavanagh is going to have a sore left one tomorrow #SundayGame @TyroneGAALive @OfficialDownGAA @packie55 @anthonymcgrath7 @perry_sean pic.twitter.com/hsguejZFAf
— David Hoey (@hoeydavid13) July 16, 2017
But Cavanagh didn’t react like the model pro that he is but instead was singalling furiously for the referee’s attention – the ref, of course, wasn’t the interested.
It didn’t go unnoticed.
Lovely bit of carry-on fit for any Ulster Final on Sean Cavanagh there.. Down need to be smarter in possession if they are to survive this
— Enda Coll (@enda_coll) July 16, 2017
The big number 14 still won over a lot of admiration – as he generally does.
He’s still doing it.
His point came after a typical burst forward off the shoulder and he bore down on goal.
How many Ulster finals has Sean Cavanagh scored in? Can't be many who've scored in more. #sundaygame #TheChampionship #tyronevdown
— Gerry McK (@GMcK2012) July 16, 2017
Like a fine wine.
https://twitter.com/noelm300/status/886576860766892032
Huge praise.
Honestly think Sean cavanagh is just as good if not better then Michael Murphy
— Christopher McCormic (@ChristopherMc96) July 16, 2017
