The possibility of missing out on a fourth Sam Maguire Cup victory with Tyrone was 'too much of a risk' for Sean Cavanagh to take.

The Moy clubman, who turns 34 next year, recently revealed that he intends to extend his illustrious inter-county career into a 16th year and, speaking to The Irish Independent, he explained why...

"There was nothing telling me not to go back. That's the best way of putting it.

"And then when I look and see the age profile of the Tyrone team at the moment ... I remember guys that retired in 2002, 2004 or '07 and we went on and won All-Irelands the following year or other titles in other years and I thought it would be too much of a risk almost."

The Red Hands end 2016 with the Anglo Celt Cup in their trophy cabinet but the disappointment of their All-Ireland SFC quarter-final exit at the hands of Mayo still lingers.

"Well we were disappointing against Mayo and Mayo probably could have easily won it the first day against Dublin. We probably feel as if we can compete with the top teams.

"Every year is a new year. We are going to be well-tested in the National League next year and that's something the team will embrace and I will be surprised if we don't compete at the top end of it."

Cavanagh added: "Everyone has that fairy-tale thing of trying to go out on a high but it doesn't happen to virtually anyone in sport.

"But I had it in my head that if we were to get success this year I probably would have walked away but because it finished on that sour note … if we had won that game and lost the semi-final I probably would have come to the same conclusion to come back too."

 

Tweet

Most Read Stories