Tommy Canavan has played in six Tyrone Championship Finals but still relishes the high pace and quality of Ulster football, with the 32-year-old getting off to a flying start on Sunday.
The former Errigal Ciaran captain was named as part of the starting line-up for the Ballygawley side’s Quarter-Final clash against Antrim winners Cargin, which ended in victory for the Tyrone men.
As the 2024 season has seen the veteran forward come into games more as an impact sub, Canavan noted he was “absolutely” ready to be part of the starting set-up again for the game in Corrigan Park.
“I’ve been probably up and down just in terms of injuries this year,” he said.
“It’s been good to get 30 to 40 minutes of football in the last couple of games, so I was just delighted to get starting today. It takes us all, and the four or five subs coming on got us over the line today, too.”
The road hasn’t been easy for the Red Hand kingpins on their road to Ulster, with non-stop matches each week thanks to their own county Final replay with Trillick.
But they beat Cargin comfortably in the end with an eight-point margin of victory.
While some thought the constant run of games might fatigue Enda McGinley’s squad, Tommy – who is also the cousin of attacking brothers Darragh and Ruairi Canavan – believes it has actually helped with their successes.
“It’s great to get another win, and with Cargin coming off a three or four-week break there, we got a wee bit of the run of them in the first-half,” he continued.
“It certainly helped us because I think we were a wee bit more ready for it.
“It was another tough test, and we’re just glad to get over the line again. I think it has (suited us).
“It keeps us tested and keeps us with that momentum. We can try and keep building on it week by week.
“As I say, Cargin had those few weeks of a layoff, and I think, certainly in the first-half, that helped us today, with our week-on-week momentum.
“It’s been treating us well so far, so long may it continue.”
Getting a good run in the provincial Championship is not something any Tyrone player takes for granted no matter what part of the county they are from, as the Red Hands famously don’t have a great history within the Ulster tournament.
In fact, Errigal Ciaran are the only Tyrone team to have won it; firstly over 30 years ago in 1993 and once more in 2002 when current manager McGinley was playing himself.
Canavan is savouring every moment, adding that it’s “brilliant” to keep the Ulster train on track.
“I suppose even Trillick had a wee run last year, getting to the Semi-Final,” he went on.
“You just want to make the most of it when you get the chance because we all know how tough it is to get out of your own county.
“It’s bonus territory at this stage, and hopefully, we can keep it going.”
With Derry side Watty Graham’s, Glen – who won the previous two Ulster Championships – now out of the picture, the provincial spectacle has been blown wide open in 2024, too; something Canavan believes has also added to the thrill for players and fans alike.
“It is (great), and it’s playing all the champions from other counties; it’s just class,” he said.
“Playing at this level, when you’re getting tested to the limit every time, the quality of football is really good.
“And at this time of year, there’s drama, there’s excitement; there’s a wee bit of everything.
“I think Ulster Club football is brilliant and I’m glad to be there with it still.
The Ulster Semi-Final takes place in a fortnight, with Errigal Ciaran set to face Clann Eireann.
Cargin: J McNabb; K O’Boyle, K McShane, R Gribbon, J Crozier, S O’Neill, J Gribbon; M McCann, J Carron; D Johnston, T McCann, J Laverty; Conhuir Johnston, E Quinn, P Shivers.
Scorers: T McCann 0-06 (6f); J McNabb, S O’Neill, R Gribbon 0-01 each.
Errigal Ciaran: D McAnenly; C Quinn, A McCrory, T Canavan, T Colhoun, N Kelly, P Og McCartan; B McDonnell, J Oguz; C McGinley, P Harte, P Traynor; D Canavan, O Robinson, R Canavan.
Scorers: R Canavan 0-04 (1f); T Canavan (2f), J Oguz, C McGinley, D Canavan 0-02 each; B McDonnell, T Colhoun, P Og McCartan, M Kavanagh, R McRory 0-01 each.
Referee: Martin McNally (Monaghan)