2021 is a year that will live long in the memory of Tyrone followers. In the space of three months, they witnessed their side get trounced by Kerry’s attacking quality, only to turn it around and win the All-Ireland for the fourth time in their history.

Peter Canavan, the first Tyrone man to get his hands on Sam Maguire, insists that every game this season was a “massive game” in what turned out to be a “remarkable” couple of months.

“Every league game was a massive game. They lost to Donegal, the Armagh game was a real battle and if Armagh hadn’t missed that penalty in the second half, then Tyrone could have lost their second league game. And they drew with Monaghan. Because of the covid and the boys not training together, they were very late getting started. So, every game (was massive) right up to the Ulster championship then every game in it.

“They weren’t great against Cavan, they improved against Donegal and that trend continued the whole way through. After the fiasco in Killarney not too many would have predicted that Tyrone would have come out of Ulster, never mind winning All-Irelands. It was a remarkable three or four months. The improvement that was made in that time was remarkable.”

Tyrone failed to retain their All-Ireland titles throughout the Mickey Harte era, in 2003, 2005 and 2008, the last time they climbed the famed Hogan Stand steps.

While attention will soon turn to 2022, the 1995 Player of the Year insists the celebrations aren’t quite finished just yet.

“There’s very little talk at the minute about defending it. I think we’re still in celebration mode and the club championship’s in full swing. I’d say as soon as the club championship is done and dusted, I’ve no doubt that’ll be foremost in the minds of the players and management of course,” he said.

A wounded Dublin are the early favourites for next year’s crown, while Kerry and Mayo will hope to bounce back as well.

The two-time All-Ireland winner suggests the challenge in front of Feargal Logan and Brian Dooher’s men is one they will “embrace” and “look forward to”.

“That’s a massive challenge and it’s a brilliant position to be in. I think every other county in the country would love to be in that position. In terms of challenges, it’s something that’s never been done before with Tyrone. They’ve never won back-to-back. To win back-to-back Ulster’s is a big thing, never mind back-to-back All-Ireland’s. That’s a challenge that they’ll certainly embrace it and will look forward to.”

Canavan was an essential part of one of the greatest forward lines ever to play the game. He starred alongside Dooher, McGuigan, O’Neill and Mulligan and picked up two All-Ireland medals along the way.

Dooher now watches on from the sideline while the name Canavan remains in the forward line. Peter’s son Darragh is joined up top by the likes of McShane, McKenna and McCurry, but are they up to the same standard as the noughties era?

“I’m going to be biased and say no, not yet. It has the potential. I don’t think they’re quite there yet. They showed in glimpses what they’re capable of.

The objective now will be, can they take it a step further? There’s serious competition there for places and the club championship is unearthing a few players as well. I think they have that potential without a doubt, but we’ll know over the next year or
two whether they’re up to that standard.”

Peter Canavan