Having to play extra-time for the second weekend in-a-row, coupled with injuries, were major factors in Tyrone’s Ulster SFC semi-final loss to Donegal according to Peter Canavan.

The Red Hands were taken to extra-time by Cavan in the quarter-final and ran out of steam when faced with the same prospect against Jim McGuinness’ men, the Tyrone legend opined on ‘The Sunday Game’.

“The Cavan boys had something to do with that last week, the fact that the game did go to extra-time. And not only that, we had two players injured, one last week and another during training this week,” Canavan said.

“That meant that our bench was weakened, and the bench needed to be used much better today than it was because a lot of those Tyrone players, I thought from half-time on, you could see the difference.

“A number of the Tyrone players were beginning to tire badly and it gave Donegal the impetus to drive forward.

“So from a Tyrone perspective, immense disappointment. Donegal were built up after last week, it was a great chance to get at them, and I don't think they played anywhere near the level that they played last week against Derry.

“When Tyrone reflect and look back on that, it will be one that they definitely let slip.”

Tweet

Most Read Stories