Canavan unlikely to return for Tyrone SFC final replay

Errigal Ciaran's Darragh Canavan celebrates. ©INPHO/Laszlo Geczo.

Errigal Ciarán are expected to be without Darragh Canavan once again for Friday night’s Tyrone SFC final replay against Edendork.

The sharpshooter missed last Sunday’s dramatic drawn encounter with a knee injury after scoring three points on his return from a hip flexor injury in the semi-final win over holders Loughmacrory. But it looks as though injury will force him out again.

“Unfortunately, it was last Sunday, he picked up a knee injury,” Errigal Ciarán manager Enda McGinley is quoted as saying by Belfast Live.

“So, you're always hoping for a miracle, but it's not happening. I can't imagine he'll be any better this week. Obviously, it was a blow to the squad and to the group.

“But it is what it is. You've got a squad for a reason. It's up to the next man to come in and to do well. That'll be the same state the next day.”

On the plus side, Ruairí Canavan and Joe Oguz saw game-time off the bench after recent injuries and could have greater roles to play in the O’Neills Healy Park rematch.