Peter Canavan says recent criticism of Tyrone manager Mickey Harte is "unfair".

The three-time All-Ireland winning supremo has come in for some stick following the Red Hands' relegation from Division 1 of the Allianz Football League, but Canavan insists it's not all doom and gloom after the U21s won Ulster for the first time in nine years on Wednesday night.

"Tyrone have been on the receiving end of a lot of unfair criticism and some of it has been very personal," Canavan - who was part of the U21 management - is quoted in The Irish Times.

"I think the seniors put up a very spirited display against Kerry and they deserved something out of it.

"A lot of supporters were disappointed that we were relegated but hopefully this [U21 title] will rejuvenate everybody."

The Sky Sports analyst admitted that the Ulster U21 final victory over Donegal was all the sweeter after Tyrone's losses to them at senior level in recent years.

"They are Ulster senior champions and Ulster minor champions and we were determined they weren't going to get the clean sweep.

"It took every last ounce of effort from the players going into the last six or seven minutes," he added.

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