Darragh Canavan Explained

Darragh Canavan
Irish:Dáire Ó Ceannubháin
Sport:Gaelic football
Icposition:Forward
Clyears:2018–
Clubs:Errigal Ciarán
Code:Football
County:Tyrone
Clcounty:1
Province:Ulster
Colleges:Ulster University
Sig:1
Icyears:2018–
Counties:Tyrone
Icprovince:1
Icallireland:1
Allstars:0

Darragh Canavan (born 2000) is a Gaelic footballer who plays for Errigal Ciarán and the Tyrone county team. He is the son of Peter Canavan, a former All-Ireland winning captain with Tyrone.

Playing career

University

In his studies at Ulster University, Canavan established himself on their senior football team. Ulster faced UCD in the final of the Sigerson Cup on 14 February 2024. Canavan was man-of-the-match, scoring five points from play as Ulster won the competition for the first time in sixteen years.[1] Canavan was later named on the Sigerson Cup team of the year.[2]

Club

On 30 September 2018, Canavan made his Tyrone Senior Football Championship debut, scoring a point from the bench in a loss to Coalisland.[3]

Errigal Ciarán reached the county final in 2019, facing Trillick on 13 October. Canavan didn't start the game through injury, coming on as a second-half sub. Trillick won the match by 0–12 to 2–4.[4]

It would be 2022 before Errigal Ciarán reached another county final, where they came up against Carrickmore on 30 October. Canavan scored three points in the 2–11 to 1–12 win. Canavan was named man of the match and also finished as the championship's top scorer.[5]

Errigal Ciarán reached the county final again in 2023, facing Trillick once again. Canavan scored two points, but Trillick were three-point winners after extra-time.[6]

Inter-county

Minor and under-20

On 11 June 2017, Canavan was at centre forward for the Ulster under-17 final against Cavan. Canavan scored two points as Tyrone were comfortable winners.[7] On 27 August, Tyrone faced Roscommon at Croke Park in the All-Ireland final. Canavan finished with a personal tally of 1–3, as Tyrone were nine-point winners.[8]

On 14 July 2019, Canavan was at centre forward as the Tyrone under-20 team faced Derry in the Ulster final. Tyrone were 4–13 to 1–10 winners, Canavan finishing with two points.[9] On 28 July, Canavan scored 1–1 as Tyrone lost the All-Ireland semi-final by two points to Cork.[10] Canavan was named in the top 20 players in the under-20 championship at the end of the season.[11]

Tyrone were back in the Ulster final in 2020, facing Donegal on 7 March. A goal from Canavan secured a 1–11 to 0–9 victory, and a second provincial title in a row.[12] On 19 October, Canavan scored three points in the All-Ireland semi-final loss to Dublin.[13] At the end of the season, Canavan was once again named in the top 20 players of the championship.[14]

Senior

Canavan joined the Tyrone senior squad in late 2018.[15] Canavan made his senior debut on 20 December, scoring a point in a Dr McKenna Cup win over Derry.[16]

On 25 October 2020, Canavan made his National League debut, scoring 1–1 in a win over Mayo.[17] Canavan made his championship debut on 1 November, scoring 1–1 in an Ulster quarter-final loss to Donegal.[18]

On 12 June 2021, Canavan suffered a serious ankle injury in a National League match against Kerry.[19] Canavan did not feature for Tyrone until the Ulster final against Monaghan on July 31. Canavan came on as a late substitute as Tyrone won their first provincial title in four years.[20] On 28 August, Canavan was again used as a sub in the All-Ireland semi-final win over Kerry.[21] On 11 September, Tyrone faced Mayo in the All-Ireland final. Canavan scored a point from the bench as Tyrone claimed their fourth All-Ireland crown.[22] Canavan was nominated for the Young Footballer of the Year award at the end of the season.[23]

In the 2023 championship, Tyrone faced Monaghan in the Ulster quarter-final. Canavan top-scored for Tyrone with 1–5, but Monaghan won the match with a last-minute goal.[24] In the group stage of the All-Ireland, Canavan scored ten points against as Tyrone advanced to the preliminary quarter-final.[25] In the preliminary quarter-final against Donegal, Canavan scored five points.[26] Kerry ended Tyrone's season at the quarter-final stage.[27] At the end of the season, Canavan received his first All-Star nomination.[28]

Honours

Tyrone

Errigal Ciarán

Ulster University

Individual

Notes and References

  1. News: Brennan. Paul. 14 February 2024. Early goals key as Ulster University claim Sigerson Cup after defeating UCD. RTÉ. 17 February 2024.
  2. News: 2024 Electric Ireland GAA Higher Education Championship Football Team of the Year. Gaelic Athletic Association. 28 March 2024. 29 March 2024.
  3. News: O'Kane. Cahair. 1 October 2018. Coalisland upset the odds once more. The Irish News. 16 February 2023.
  4. News: O'Kane. Cahair. 14 October 2019. Red letter day: Trillick get the better of Errigal. The Irish News. 27 February 2023.
  5. News: Bogue. Declan. 30 October 2022. Darragh Canavan takes control to drive Errigal to Tyrone title. Irish Examiner. 27 February 2023.
  6. News: Mooney. Francis. 29 October 2023. Trillick dethrone champions Errigal Ciaran in thriller to claim ninth Tyrone SFC title. Irish Examiner. 29 October 2023.
  7. News: Mooney. Francis. 12 June 2017. Tyrone win inaugural U17 football title with final win over Cavan. The Irish News. 16 February 2023.
  8. News: O'Brien. Kevin. 27 August 2017. Darragh Canavan, son of Peter, bags this goal of the year contender as Tyrone lift All-Ireland U17 crown. The 42. 25 February 2023.
  9. News: Mooney. Francis. 14 July 2019. Tyrone step on the gas to claim Ulster U20 honours. RTÉ. 25 February 2023.
  10. News: Mooney. Francis. 28 July 2019. Cork set-up final date after comeback against Tyrone. RTÉ. 25 February 2023.
  11. News: O'Brien. Kevin. 22 August 2019. All-Ireland champions Cork lead the way as 7 players land U20 football awards. The 42. 25 July 2022.
  12. News: Loughran. Neil. 9 March 2020. Second half scoring spree sees Tyrone land Ulster title as Donegal rue black card. The Irish News. 25 February 2023.
  13. News: Watters. Andy. 19 October 2020. Tyrone U20 side over-hauled by Dublin fightback in All-Ireland semi-final. The Irish News. 25 February 2023.
  14. News: O'Toole. Fintan. 20 January 2021. All-Ireland champions Galway lead the way with 6 players landing U20 football awards. The 42. 25 July 2022.
  15. News: Mooney. Francis. 17 December 2018. Teenage star Darragh Canavan gets Tyrone senior call-up. The Irish News. 27 February 2023.
  16. News: O'Brien. Kevin. 20 December 2018. Man of the match for Coney on Tyrone return as young star Canavan makes scoring debut. The 42. 26 February 2023.
  17. News: Mooney. Francis. 25 October 2020. Mayo relegated as Tyrone edge Castlebar thriller. RTÉ. 26 February 2023.
  18. News: Duggan. Keith. 1 November 2020. Donegal see off Tyrone on a day for mad dogs and Ulster men. The Irish Times. 26 February 2023.
  19. News: O'Toole. Fintan. 12 June 2021. 'It definitely is a big worry' - Tyrone star young forward goes off injured in Killarney. The 42. 26 February 2023.
  20. News: O'Brien. Kevin. 31 July 2021. Tyrone survive stirring Monaghan fightback to land first Ulster title in 4 years. The 42. 26 February 2023.
  21. News: Neville. Conor. 10 September 2021. Tyrone stun misfiring Kerry to reach All-Ireland final. RTÉ. 26 February 2023.
  22. News: O'Toole. Fintan. 11 September 2021. Tyrone crowned All-Ireland champions with key second-half goals taking them past Mayo. The 42. 26 February 2023.
  23. News: Tyrone dominate 2021 PwC All-Stars football nominations. Gaelic Athletic Association. 8 October 2021. 27 February 2023.
  24. News: Mooney. Francis. 16 April 2023. O'Toole injury-time goal sees Monaghan oust Tyrone. RTÉ. 17 April 2023.
  25. News: Buckley. Gerry. 18 June 2023. Tyrone stay in All-Ireland despite draw with Westmeath. RTÉ. 18 June 2023.
  26. News: Campbell. Peter. 25 June 2023. Canavan boys on form to seal Tyrone quarter-final slot. RTÉ. 25 June 2023.
  27. News: Keane. Pau. 1 July 2023. Impressive Kerry crush Tyrone at Croke Park. RTÉ. 1 July 2023.
  28. News: PwC GAA/GPA Gaelic Football All-Star nominations announced. Gaelic Athletic Association. 29 September 2023. 29 September 2023.