"I didn't have a whole pile of luck" - Mayo footballer

Brendan Harrison bears all of his rollercoaster journey of highs and lows in a Mayo jersey, marked by an undeniable sense of “unluckiness” in an interview with the Irish Independent.

The Aghamore man, who recently announced his retirement from inter-county football at the age of 31, faced a career overshadowed by persistent injuries.

Harrison's early years with Mayo saw promise, making the All-Ireland final bench in 2013 and earning a spot on the All-Star team in 2016. However, his career took an unfortunate turn as knee troubles began to plague him, limiting his appearances and impacting his performance on the field.

The turning point came in the 2022 National Football League game against Kildare. A comeback from injury proved ill-fated, as Harrison suffered a knee injury mere minutes into the game. This setback marked "the beginning of the end" of his inter-county career. Despite his determination to return, subsequent attempts were thwarted by recurring knee issues.

Reflecting on his career, Harrison acknowledges the pervasive sense of unluckiness. Multiple setbacks, including a significant knee injury during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, painted a picture of a career constantly battling the injury gods. Even though he diligently underwent rehabilitation, the elusive stroke of luck seemed to elude him.

Harrison's last summer start was in the 2019 semi-final against Dublin, and as Mayo approached the 2021 All-Ireland, his knee troubles persisted. The team had a genuine shot at glory, but Harrison's ability to contribute was hindered by factors beyond his control. The perceived unluckiness reached its culmination when he made the difficult decision to retire earlier this month.

When pressed, Harrison stated, "when you’re doing everything right to try and get back, maybe there’s a bit of luck involved, and if it is down to luck, I didn’t have a whole pile of it.”​