CANAVAN: THE SON ALSO RISES
DARRAGH CANAVAN was one incontestable good news story in Tyrone’s topsy-turvy League. The son of one of the game’s greatest players, his emergence as a red-hot inter-county star has long been awaited. An ankle injury in early summer checked his ambitions last year, but he came off the bench as Tyrone plotted their way to an unlikely but fully merited AllIreland title, including 20 minutes in the decider against Mayo. He has surged onwards in 2022, becoming an increasingly influential figure in a Tyrone forward line that can look short on inspiration. And while Tyrone are resolute in structure and defensive aptitude, they can look thinly spread in attack. But Canavan (above, with his father celebrating last year’s All-Ireland triumph) looks good enough to provide at least part of the solution. As the son of Peter, he has carried a weight of expectation since breaking through at senior level under Mickey Harte. Canavan has handled that with no apparent trouble thus far. If he can continue doing so, then he could prove crucial to what looks the daunting task of Tyrone retaining their title.