An end of an era following four retirements. PHOTO: Sportsfile

The end of an era

TYNAN'S TAKE BY STUART TYNAN: PART 2

To say it was an eventful week in Mayo GAA would be a major understatement.

Four of Mayo's greatest servants have hung up their boots in Donal Vaughan, David Clarke, Tom Parsons and Seamus O'Shea.

All four men have played a massive part in not just Mayo's on-field success over the past decade and beyond, but in changing the standards required to achieve it.

Mayo football was not in a good place following that defeat to Longford in the All-Ireland qualifiers back in 2010 and James Horan, along with the aforementioned players as well as the likes of Andy Moran, Alan Dillon and others, helped transform the mentality and culture of what was required if Mayo were to reach the highest level.

These men have produced plenty of great moments. Vaughan has delivered so many big performances in Connaught finals and the All-Ireland series. His goals in the eviscerations of Galway and Donegal in 2013 will live long in the memory, as well as perhaps his finest performance in the 2016 drawn All-Ireland final against Dublin, kicking the penultimate point in stoppage time before Cillian O'Connor last-gasp equaliser.

David Clarke, along with Stephen Cluxton, has set the bar for goalkeeping excellence in Gaelic football for almost 20 years. I must admit, having played every minute of Mayo's 2020 campaign, I thought he would play on for one more year.

It is hard to pick out one particular moment that stands out given his outstanding service but if forced, that save he made against Bernard Brogan in the 2012 All-Ireland semi-final was the peak of his abilities as a shot-stopper and one of the primary reasons Mayo contested the All-Ireland final that year.

If you can describe Parsons in one word, it would be resilient. Dropped from the panel altogether in 2011 before fighting his way back onto it in 2014, he would form an incredible partnership with O'Shea in the middle of the park.

How can you also not mention his recovery from that near career-ending knee injury in 2018? Many of us would struggle to ever run or walk properly again. He played following year in the All-Ireland semi-final against Dublin. It is a testament to his character and desire, not just as a footballer, but the man himself, and Mayo's loss will most certainly be Charlestown's gain.

The oldest of the O'Shea brothers has been a mainstay of the midfield since the beginning of Horan's first term.

Whether combining with his brother Aidan or Parsons in later years, his drive and athleticism, not to mention his underrated ability to notch crucial scores, will be sorely missed going forward and like Parsons's club side, Breaffy will be the ones to benefit from Seamus's availability at club level from now on and it may play a crucial role in the west Mayo side finally getting their hands on the Moclair Cup.

But that is a conversation for another day. Already we are seeing Horan's future side taking shape and we may see a few more players get their opportunities over the coming months ahead. But for now, to Vaughan, Clarke, Parsons and O'Shea, thanks for all the great memories you have given us over the past decade and beyond.

It has been one hell of a journey.

*You can read Stuart's full column every Tuesday in our print edition.