Genuine GAA great ‘togs’ for Club StarsFIVE years have passed since Peter Canavan wore his last jersey for Tyrone. But his goal against Kerry in that final of 2005 continues to resonate as if it were scored only yesterday.
The quality of that score will cross every mind that comes in contact with the great man when he is special guest at The Mayo News/O’Neills Club Stars Banquet at Knockranny House Hotel on December 3.
Those who saw it are privileged to have witnessed one of the great classic finishes of all time which fittingly brought the curtain down on a celebrated career . . . and asssured Canavan a place in the pantheon of famous Gaelic footballers.
The textbook execution with the inside of his left foot was one thing, but the model part played by Owen Mulligan in the build-up gave it added lustre, and killed off whatever hope Kerry held of shaking off their implacable adversary.
Canavan was then 34 years of age and the wisdom generated by the lows and highs of sixteen years senior service to his county was encapsulated in that one memorable moment.
That day, too, he added a Celtic cross to his and the county’s first senior All-Ireland captured two years earlier. He was captain on that historic occasion which finally freed him from the yoke of heartbreak.
Up to their big leap forward in 2003, Tyrone had been dubbed a one-man show. Canavan’s class could take them so far, but never to the holy grail. “People said about Tyrone that once we crossed the border we had no power. Well we have now,” he told their throng of supporters when accepting the Sam Maguire.
More than most, Canavan had reason to celebrate their historic success. If, having reached the age of 32, he despaired of winning an All-Ireland title, it didn’t show in his performances. But his joy of finally making the breakthrough was tangible. “I can’t think of a better place to be anywhere in the world,” he said after lofting the trophy into the September air.
Ironically, injury almost robbed him of the honour. Barely able to walk, he pleaded with Micky Harte not to start him. But Tyrone’s hopes of the breakthrough pivoted on the presence of their leader. And Harte knew it. After a plea from the manager Canavan started, concealing the gravity of the injury. He limped off later, and in the final ten minutes reappeared to inspire a unique victory.
Much more was to follow. The assertive nature of Tyrone’s football in 2005 and the genius of Canavan’s goal, which derided predictions that Tyrone were about to join Armagh and Donegal as once-off winners, lit up Gaelic football.
Although he was not on the side that garnered their third title, Canavan — Peter the Great as he was dubbed — was still Tyrone’s motivation. To reach his standards was the ambition of every Tyrone person. He was proof that fourteen years of failure need not dampen the spirit.
In a senior career laden with honours, Canavan is the holder of four Ulster medals, two All-Irelands and two National Leagues. He has been on six All Star selections. In 2005 he was named footballer of the year.
With a total of 218 points he is the second highest all-time scorer in the Ulster championship, and in five International Rules tests reeled in 37 points.
The Errigal CiarΡn club man has also become the first GAA star to be awarded an honorary doctorate — by the University of Ulster — for his accomplishments.
New chapter begins for HoranTIME won’t have allowed James Horan the opportunity to dwell too deeply on the disappointment of losing to Killererin in that exciting Connacht semi-final the other week. As Mayo beckons the torch in Ballintubber is being passed on.
What he brought to Ballintubber is what Mayo people would wish Horan to bring to Mayo football. And no one doubts that he will draw on every fibre of his array of talents to help the players who represent the county to conquer the negatives that have barred their path to the top.
It would be a massive ask, though, to expect Mayo under his leadership to mark the 60th anniversary of the county’s third All-Ireland success by winning the fourth next year.
No, that’s too much. Mayo’s vitality has fallen too steeply for any stimulus to work over night. Yet you can’t help feeling that the anticipation and speculation that Horan’s appointment has awakened will kindle some kind of flame.
He’ll have his own ideas where and how to begin. Programmes of preparation are by now being drawn up, and objectives set. Before long he’ll face into the National League tests, to probe the crust of past failures in search of the real soul of Mayo football.
One thing certain is that the search for new talent will have begun. Whether that can be discovered in trials I’m not so sure; trials tell you only so much. Having steered Ballintubber through the rigours of the senior championship those past few years, the new manager will have pencilled into his memory players from all corners of the county who made an impact on him.
The senior championship is not the only showcase, however. The intermediate ranks will be sifted, and he’ll trawl the juniors for the low profile worker with a future.
Out there somewhere, someone is waiting for the chance to become a senior stalwart. In his own club that player is characterised as having heart. This may be the time for him. Without endless grit no player, however polished, is unlikely to convince the new manager . . . if we have guessed him correctly. If he is blessed with those twin attributes so much the better.
And having found him the real work begins: coaching, coaxing, instilling confidence, urging, praising, instructing, cultivating a sense of mutual trust between player and manager. To produce the battling mentality inculcated in Ballintubber is what Mayo followers will be expecting.
He won’t stitch together overnight the team of his dreams. A balance must be struck between new and experienced players. The cream of this year’s senior squad has got to be retained, and their aspirations redirected.
Young bloods must be given time to settle in, to find their feet, to give expression to their own individual strengths. In the company of experienced players they develop more quickly and with greater conviction.
The manager can’t afford to risk his charges being trounced by every opponent in the league.
Whatever the outcome, he has said that his selections will not be lacking for effort. And no one can ask for more from a team than that they were seen to have given their best.
Thus the preparations will soon be in full swing. As the FBD league prepares him for the National League, so National League performances present him with his championship probables, those who have emerged unscathed from the winter battles with Cork and Kerry and Dublin.
Just a thought …Three cheers to TG4 for the outstanding sports service they have developed those past few years. GAA club football in the west has every reason to be grateful to the broadcaster for the quality of their comprehensive coverage.
