Cillian O’Connor had a chance to force extra-time in the All-Ireland final replay, but he hooked a difficult injury-time free wide.
The Mayo captain had been flawless from the frees up until that point, which perversely made the pain felt all the keener. He was as disconsolate as any Mayo player at the full-time whistle, watching a Dublin team they had matched stride for stride over 140 minutes retain Sam Maguire.
Since then we have had statements released by O’Connor’s team-mates Rob Hennelly, Lee Keegan and Aidan O’Shea, which in themselves have provoked a response from the likes of Joe Brolly.
The subject of player statements came up on last week’s GAA Hour, with Colm Parkinson agreeing that there is no need for them.
The secret to being classy and heartfelt https://t.co/mAsTRo1t52
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) October 14, 2016
Well, on Sunday O’Connor made a statement of his own. It was such a head-spinner that the Mayo GAA Twitter account got a little confused.
Apologies it's just the 4-04 Cillian O'Connor today. #mayogaa #gaa
— Mayo GAA (@MayoGAA) October 16, 2016
So to be clear, it was just four goals and four points for Cillian O’Connor as Ballintubber destroyed Garrymore 6-14 to 1-8 in the Mayo SFC quarter-finals.
That is how you make a statement, folks.
Cillian O'Connor scoring 4-04 for @BallintubberCLG today. And #GAA pundits say #Mayogaa don't have a "Marquee Forward". #TheToughest 🙈👌💪
— L. NíHéineacháin (@LaobhaoiseNihE) October 16, 2016
That young lad from Ballintubber, Cillian O'Connor, looks like a prospect for the future 😛. #mayogaa
— Richie Heneghan (@RichieHeneghan) October 16, 2016
Cillian O'Connor doing what he does best🙌🏼
— M'Reilly (@MariannaReilly8) October 16, 2016
Wow Cillian O Connor 😱❤️😍@MayoGAA @CILL14N
— Lucyy (@lucyLovesMayo) October 16, 2016
https://twitter.com/p_cunnane/status/787670237290323968
Cillian O’Connor just finished off one of the great team goals you’ll see. @BallintubberCLG now lead 3-7 to 0-2 after 28 minutes #mayogaa
— Colm Gannon (@ColmGannon) October 16, 2016
On the latest episode of the GAA Hour, Wooly chats to new Meath boss Andy McEntee about the flawed Dublin Championship and catches up with new Clare joint manager Donal Moloney. Listen below or subscribe on iTunes.
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