Football

Ruairi Canavan happy to serve Tyrone on two fronts

Ruairi Canavan kicked two points in Tyrone's win over Kerry
Ruairi Canavan kicked two points in Tyrone's win over Kerry Ruairi Canavan kicked two points in Tyrone's win over Kerry

TYRONE'S attacking starlet Ruairi Canavan is facing competing demands for his talents in the weeks ahead, but plans to commit to both senior and U20 teams.

The Red Hands begin the defence of their All-Ireland U20 title just three days after what could be a must-win Allianz Football League Division One relegation decider against Armagh later this month.

Canavan will captain the U20s in an Ulster Championship first-round tie against Down on March 29, with the remaining rounds in the series set to run alongside Tyrone’s preparations for the Ulster SFC.

“That’s football, but as long as I’m enjoying it, I’m happy,” he said, confirming that he will be available for Paul Devlin’s U20 side.

The 19-year-old, who came on as a substitute to kick two important scores in the closing stages of Tyrone’s victory over Kerry in Omagh at the weekend, is regarded as one of the hottest properties to emerge in the county in years.

He was voted Eirgrid U20 Footballer of the Year last year after hitting 1-7 in the All-Ireland final against Kildare to complete a string of stunning performances.

Since then he has been hampered by injury, but his return to fitness has boosted Tyrone’s chances of retaining their Division One status.

“Yeah, I’m loving it. I have come back to seniors and U20s, and it’s just class to be playing football, it’s what we love to do,” said Canavan.

“From a young age, all youngsters in Tyrone dream of playing for the seniors.

“And in our club we’re lucky that there’s a good heritage of club players that have stepped up to county level, and it’s nice to get putting on the jersey,” said the Errigal Ciaran youngster.

Canavan nailed two late pressure frees which helped the Red Hands get the better of the All-Ireland champions at O’Neills Healy Park on Sunday.

“As a free-taker, you’re going to have to hit frees in those moments, and thankfully two of them went over. I still missed one as well,” he said.

Now he’s looking forward to getting involved in two local derby ties against Monaghan and Armagh as the Red Hands battle to avoid relegation.

“We have two big games coming up and we’ll be looking forward to them

“We have a bit of a break now, so we’ll knuckle down in training, and we’re going to have to back up that performance against Kerry.

“Retaining Division One status is massive, and we’ll do what we can to do that, and then kick on for the Championship and hopefully get a bit of momentum going in that.”

Tyrone fans are looking forward to the continued development of an exciting attacking partnership Ruairi is building with older brother Darragh, one of the stand-out stars of the victory over Kerry.

“Darragh is playing well, and it’s nice to come on and join him,” said the younger brother.

“I have played with him a good bit for Errigal and it’s very enjoyable.”