Rob Hennelly announces retirement from intercounty football

 

Mayo footballer Rob Hennelly (34), who made his competitive debut for Mayo thirteen years ago, has announced his retirement from senior intercounty football. The Breaffy native, who made 43 league and 32 championship appearances for Mayo, including three All-Ireland finals, will continue to play for his club Raheny in the Dublin Senior Championship.

Rob was a key member of a group of Mayo players who brought Mayo to the verge of All-Ireland glory on several occasions, and who sustained the county at the highest level for over a decade.

Head of Commercial Enablement at CarTrawler, Rob first shot to prominence as goalkeeper on the Mayo minor team which won the Connacht Championship in 2008, before eventually losing the All-Ireland final to Tyrone in a replay.

Some key statistics underline Rob’s wide-ranging contribution – he won seven Connacht SFC titles (2009, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2020 and 2021); two Allianz League titles (2019 and 2023); was twice nominated for All-Star awards (2013 and 2021); and scored 0-38 in the Mayo jersey.

He played three years at U21 level for Mayo, winning a Connacht title in 2009. He made his Mayo senior debut in 2011 against Kerry in the Allianz League in MacHale Park. In addition, he played 14 FBD League games for Mayo, winning titles in 2010 and 2011. He won an Interprovincial Series medal with Connacht in 2014.

As a student at DCU, he won an All-Ireland Freshers title in 2009, and two Sigerson Cup medals in 2010 and 2012, along with O’Byrne Cup triumphs in both of those years.

At club level, Robert won a Mayo Minor Championship title in 2006 with Breaffy. He played  for the club in four county senior finals (2013, 2015, 2018 and 2020). Since 2023, he has played his club football with Raheny.

His final appearance for Mayo was against Tyrone in Omagh in the Allianz League in February 2024.

For the majority of his career, Rob was based in Dublin and made hundreds of trips westwards for training sessions and matches. That level of commitment, and the way he dedicated himself to developing his skills, particularly at a time of great evolution of the goalkeeping role, earned him the deep respect of Mayo supporters.

 

From Rob Hennelly:

I am privileged to have been involved with the Mayo senior team since 2009 and to have played at the highest level for as long as I have. However, now feels like the right time for me to retire from intercounty football (although I’m sure many thought I already had!) I tried to give it a go again this year, but life moves fast as they say – and I’m grateful to be leaving on my own terms and with so much to look forward to in 2025 and beyond.

Firstly, I want to say a huge thank you to Breaffy GAA for supporting me throughout my development and standing by me every part of the journey, including my decision to step away last year. On that note, I also want to express my sincere gratitude to Raheny GAA for taking me in and making me feel so at home.

To Mayo GAA and the Mayo supporters, thank you for everything. We’ve shared many highs and lows, and while I’d be lying if I said I have no regrets, I’m proud that we never gave up chasing the dream. I’m also grateful for each management and coaching team I got to play under, and, in particular, want to remember John O’Mahony who gave me my first taste of senior football. May he Rest in Peace.

Thank you to every teammate I’ve had the privilege of togging out with over the past 16 seasons. It’s been an honour to play alongside you all and, more importantly, to get to know you as people. I want to give a special mention to Aidan – we started a journey together with both club and county and unfortunately, we won’t finish it together, but you’ve always been an inspiration to me and so many others. I’m so glad you’re there to continue to lead this team and battle on.

To the current Mayo team, while I’m sad to leave, I’m so excited to see where you go this year. I know the characters, culture, and environment in this group will drive Mayo football to where it belongs.

I also want to acknowledge every goalkeeper I’ve had the good fortune of playing with and against at county level. I have huge respect for anyone who takes on this role, whether as first, second, or third choice, and I’m grateful for everything I’ve learned from playing with and against some of the best goalkeepers of all time.

Finally, and most importantly, I want to thank my incredible family – my wife Orla, my parents, my brother and sisters, extended family, and in-laws. Your love and support carried me through the tough days but having you there to share the good ones are memories I’ll cherish forever.

Rob x

 

From Mayo GAA Chairperson Seamus Tuohy:

I want to express our heartfelt gratitude to Rob for his great dedication, outstanding talent, and unwavering commitment throughout his long inter-county career, since he first wore the Mayo jersey at minor level. He exemplified excellence, dedication, and leadership on and off the field. His contributions to Breaffy and Mayo football have been immense. We thank him for everything and wish him and his family the very best in the future.

 

From Mayo manager Kevin McStay:

Rob Hennelly has given outstanding service to Mayo football. He developed his game right throughout his career and, as manager for the last two seasons, I saw up close how much he dedicated himself to improving his craft. We are very sorry to see him go. He loved being around the squad and he was hugely popular with everyone. I know how difficult this decision has been for Rob, but I understand and respect it. I wish Rob and his wife Orla well in the future.