By Niall Gartland

TOMMY Canavan hopes that the youth of Errigal Ciaran will be suitably inspired by their footballing heroes’ memorable journey into the deep end of the prestigious Ulster Senior Club Championship.

Supporters young and old mingled with the Errigal Ciaran footballers on the Corrigan Park sod following their convincing eight-point win over Cargin in Sunday’s quarter-final clash, and now they stand at the penultimate staging post where they will take on Clann Éireann in just over a week’s time.

Errigal Ciaran can boast a proud tradition at provincial level, winning Ulster Club titles in 1993 and 2002, and Tommy recognises the importance of showing the younger generations in the club what exactly can be achieved with the requisite effort and commitment.

Speaking after Sunday’s game, he said: “I grew up on days like this, I was very fortunate that the teams of the nineties and noughties played at this level. It’s great for myself to have the opportunity to play in Ulster and as a team we want to make the most of it and inspire the next generation.”

“Coming out of Tyrone is no easy task, who knows when we’ll be back on this stage again so we’re putting everything into it and we’ve put ourselves in a good position and we really feel and appreciate the backing of our supporters as well.”

Canavan, who captained Errigal Ciaran to their first O’Neill Cup in a decade in 2022, has had his struggles with injuries this year but he’s shown immense fortitude and was handed a starting berth against Cargin last weekend and he repaid the faith placed in him by the management team with a stellar display.

But aside from his impact on the pitch, he plays a pivotal role behind the scenes as a strength and conditioning coach – and has done for quite some time at this stage.

“I’ve been on the S&C for the last four or five years with the club, and Enda’s brother-in-law Eamonn McCann has come in as well so that’s helped lighten the load! That’s been great, it means I can concentrate on my own training and playing, but I’m delighted to help out in any way I can.”

On his starting role, Tommy added: “It’s been a bit of everything this year, I’ve been fighting injuries here and there so I was delighted to get in and get a wee bit more game-time. I think four or five subs came on and it takes them all at this Ulster level.”