By John Harrington

An emotional Sean Cavanagh described his 16-years playing for Tyrone as an “amazing journey” after confirming his retirement from inter-county football after yesterday’s All-Ireland semi-final defeat to Dublin.

He didn’t go out on the high he would have wished for, but he’s been playing this game long enough to know there’s no point in having too many regrets when you’ve been beaten by the better team.

"Trying not to make it emotional but it's tough at the final whistle,” said Cavanagh.

“Like any person, human being, it's nice to have your family around, the two girls were there.

“It's all I know, representing Tyrone and just loving my county like anyone else. I grew up supporting my county, I'll always support the county.

“I've done my best. I've tried, I've given everything I possibly can for as long as I possibly can. I've had an amazing journey, I've been very lucky and successful in so many ways.

“The time comes just to pass the baton on to some fantastic group of lads. I've told them in there that I'm so sorry that I couldn't help bring the success that some of the older guys helped to bring me at any stage.

“It's not for the want of trying. Every-one in that group tried their best and we've just come up against probably the greatest GAA team I've ever played against and I've told a few of the Dublin lads that.

“It's tough luck to be part of an era and a team of that magnitude that's dominating the sport that I never thought was possible to dominate.

"That win today...I just can't understand how far ahead of everyone they are. I didn't think they were that far ahead but you have to give it to them. Incredible set of athletes and an incredible set of football players.”

Over the course of 89 Championship appearances for Tyrone, Cavanagh won three All-Ireland titles, six Ulster titles, two National Leagues, and five All-Star awards.

He’s had a good innings by any metric, and knows he was fortunate to have played such a key role in the greatest era of Tyrone football.

“I’m smart enough to know that I’ve been much more lucky than an awful lot of players who have pulled on the white and red jersey,” he said.

“You have to look around some of the guys we have there at the moment and they deserve so much more for the effort and the energy and the brilliance of skill they have.

“It’s just tough to take and I suppose at times you feel sorry for some of the lesser teams that maybe have brilliant individual players.

“I’ve got to know a few of them through International Rules and Railway Cups and you look at those players and think ‘God help you’ because you maybe just don’t get that recognition in terms of trophies etc. I’ve been lucky to get that.

“I’ve never dwelled on it. I don’t have one picture of myself, I don’t have one trophy in y house, I don’t have one medal in my house…maybe I’ll start looking for those.”

He chose not to wallow in his previous successes because while he was still playing he was focused on winning some more.

Now that he’s finally hung up his boots though, he might be more willing to succumb to some nostalgia and appreciate all he’s achieved.

“I never wanted to dwell on what I’ve ever won,” said Cavanagh.

“It doesn’t match my wife’s décor at time either, that’s the reality. I had one picture of myself and (my brother) Colm lifting Sam Maguire, that’s all I had, and she put that to the attic a few years ago.

“I walk away and hold my head up high because all I ever wanted to do was to give all I possibly had for that jersey.

“I was lacing up my boots today and I remembered the very first day I laced up my boots in Clones to play in Championship against Armagh. I remembered the type of boots, how I tied the knots…you do begin to be a wee bit nostalgic, but I’ve had an incredible journey.”

His wife and two daughters were in Croke Park yesterday to console him after Tyrone’s defeat, and spending more time with them is now top of Cavanagh’s agenda.

He’ll also have more time to focus on his career without the commitment of inter-county football, and for now at least has no plans to swap playing for coaching.

“Work hard in my profession, enjoy watching on,” said Cavanagh of his future plans.

“There’s been a roller-coaster of emotions in the last 16 years of my life, most of them come down to inter-county football and the highs and lows that come with that.

“I’ll enjoy a wee bit of time out, a bit of a break and a bit of normality with my family. My wife Fionnuala hasn’t had it easy – we haven’t had a normal holiday like other people have. I’ll do all those normal things.

“I don’t know whether I’ll ever go into coaching, management. I don’t know. At this stage I’ve no appetite to do that. I’ll just continue to be a Tyrone supporter and will all those guys the best."

Tyrone manager Mickey Harte confirmed after Sunday’s defeat to Dublin that it’s his intention to remain in the position if allowed, and Cavanagh believes he should be allowed to do so.

“Coming into this game, I genuinely believed we were in a fantastic place,” he said.

“I believed we were good enough to take down Dublin and so did everyone in that changing room. And Mickey had us in that frame of mind.

“Success has followed him around for so long, he’s built new teams time and time again, I don’t see any reason why he would be replaced but that’s obviously not down to me.”