O’Neill rules out Red Hand return

STEPHEN O’NEILL has ruled out a dramatic return to the Tyrone team for the All-Ireland football final against Kerry in three weeks.

The natural successor to Peter Canavan at full-forward and one of the stars of the win over the Kingdom in the 2005 decider hasn’t played for Tyrone since last year’s All-Ireland quarter-final against Meath.

He had been plagued by a knee problem and underwent surgery in October, but announced his intercounty retirement in January due to his injury woes. However, the 27-year-old has since returned to club action and has impressed with Clann na nGael