Canavan could give Errigal edge against Gaels
The form which won him the former could yet prove the difference in capturing the latter, the club's first provincial crown.
"Peter's sharpness is back," Errigal manager Mickey Harte says. "He's always had the determination and the class but when he is this sharp it's good news for Errigal and Tyrone."
Canavan was the mastermind behind the Tyrone champions' marathon march to Sunday's showdown at Clones. He starred in the titanic three-match struggle with Crossmaglen Rangers and was an integral figure last weekend when the Tyrone champions overcame All-Ireland champions Ballinderry.
Harte is the first to admit he "hasn't a clue" how the hectic programme of competition endured over the last four Sundays will impact on his side.
He said: "We won't know how all the games we have been involved have affected us until Sunday. We could be a tired outfit but hopefully because we have only done one training session a week we will have something left in the tank for the final."
However, he points to the fact opponents Enniskillen Gaels haven't had a game for a while and says they are likely to "hit the ground running".
The recently appointed manager of Tyrone also revealed he has "a healthy regard" for the Enniskillen team.
"The Gaels have won five Fermanagh county titles on-the-trot and have dominated football in their home county for the past 10 years. They are back-boned by two very good midfield generals, Tom and Paul Brewster, and I expect them to throw down a formidable challenge to us."
Errigal, who last won the Ulster championship in 1993 and lost the 2000 final to Bellaghy, will be without captain Eoin Gormley again.
The talented Tyrone corner-forward has been plagued by hamstring trouble. He started the second game against Crossmaglen but broke down after eight minutes.
In Gormley's continued absence Errigal Ciaran will parade the same 15 that started against Ballinderry last Sunday.
Bookmakers in the North have made Errigal 4/7 to win their second title but manager Harte said he would not be carried away with those odds. "I expect it to be a very close-run thing indeed," he said.
Meanwhile, Rathnew boss Harry Murphy last night admitted he expects Sunday's Leinster SFC clash with UCD to be called off again.
The seven-in-a-row Wicklow champions are praying the tie will finally go ahead after three consecutive postponements. But Murphy revealed he wouldn't put his mortgage on it.
He said: "I can't see it going ahead to be honest. With the way the weather is down here I can't see any of the venues being ok."
To give the tie the best chance of taking place, Leinster Council chiefs have pencilled in alternative venues at Arklow and Newbridge if Aughrim is deemed unplayable again.
Arklow and Aughrim both represent home ties for Rathnew but Newbridge would take the game to the neutral county of Kildare.
Murphy said: "If it meant the game finally going ahead, I wouldn't mind playing it in Newbridge. It wouldn't be my first choice but it would be better than waiting another week.
"I don't know how much damage all the waiting has done to us. I mean last year we played seven games in nine weeks and the routine did us good, we thrive on it, like it's done Errigal Ciaran's good this year. We'll know when the ball is thrown in I suppose." Last week, Murphy sparked outrage when he hit out at UCD's eligibility in the competition, labelling them a "team of All-Stars".
He took a considerable amount of flak for that outburst, though he found an ally in Moorefield and Carlow boss Mick Condon.
Murphy was keen to hold his counsel on the subject: "I've said enough about all that.
"The Leinster Council know how I feel, the GAA know how I feel and UCD know how I feel.
Meanwhile veteran Johnny Leonard and full-forward Liam Moffatt remain the only two injury worries for Crossmolina manager John Maughan ahead of Sunday's Connacht final showdown with Strokestown.
"Johnny's feeling his hamstring a bit at the moment, but a couple of days could make all the difference," said Maughan.
Moffatt, who plundered two goals to dispose of Leitrim champions Allen Gaels in the semi-final, was struggling with a heavy cold earlier in the week but is expected to make a full recovery. The Crossmolina boss was impressed with Strokestown's victory over Eastern Harps in the semi-final.
"They are physically very strong, and I was particularly impressed with their midfield," said Maughan, who reckons his side have room for improvement.
"We haven't shown our best yet I hope! Our semi-final performance won't be good enough for Sunday, so we need to improve to win."
