Stephen Rochford has defended his bizarre decision to change goalkeepers for the All-Ireland SFC final replay.

Rob Hennelly was an eleventh hour replacement for All Star contender David Clarke, but the decision backfired after he was sent off on a black card in the 41st minute for conceding a penalty which Diarmuid Connolly converted.

"In selection, you make a calculated decision," the crestfallen Mayo manager explained to RTE.

"We felt on our analysis of Dublin they pushed right up on our kick-out in the drawn game. We felt it was something they may target again. That was the reason behind it."

Rochford was proud in defeat, adding: "Extremely proud of all the Mayo players, I thought they left all their energy out there and that's matched with huge amount of disappointment.

"When you come out of a battle like that, come second, there's disappointment to lose by the smallest of margins. The majority of that group have been in four All-Ireland finals now, with three defeats.

"They're very crestfallen, devastated. You don't put the last nine or 10 months of your life into an inter county scene and take anything out of the year only absolute dejection.

"They've been doing that for the last number of years and they continue to fall short. I'm sure that will be the subject of a lot of column inches in the coming weeks.

"It's not to be and we'll see what the future brings with regards to how we move in."

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