Canavan wants more
The Tyrone legend explained his mantra: “Honesty — that’s all you want. That they be honest and true to themselves. I can’t ask any more of them after that. Sometimes that will not be good enough, other times it will.”
Canavan is relishing his latest visit to Croke Park — home of heaven and heartbreak for the two-time All-Ireland medallist through the years.
Most recently, Canavan guided Holy Trinity, Cookstown to All-Ireland Vocational Schools glory at GAA HQ and he’s hoping to land his first piece of silverware as a senior intercounty manager later today.
Canavan smiled: “It’s been the scene of a few setbacks as well. But that’s part and parcel of the game. It’s a lonely place when you’re not successful but it’s a good feeling walking off victorious.”
Canavan was 13 when he visited Croke Park for the first time — as Tyrone contested the 1986 All-Ireland semi-final against Dublin.
In 1988, he played on the hallowed sod for the first time in the All-Ireland Vocational Schools final and his medal haul from the Drumcondra venue is an impressive one.
Canavan explains: “Two All-Ireland Vocational schools titles — 1988 and ’89, a National League at Croke Park in 2003, a Railway Cup and two All-Irelands. You never tire of the place. You always have an air of anticipation and the prospect of going to Croke Park fills you with it. There’s an aura about it. It’s nerve-tingling when you walk into the place — that never leaves you.”
Having enjoyed such a glittering playing career, Canavan admits that not being involved at such a direct level can be difficult to cope with. But management is the next best thing and he revealed: “Having worked with players, nurturing them, bringing them on and watching them produce brings a good sense of satisfaction. Seeing them play to their potential too — all of these things help you to cope with the fact that you’re not playing the game. Nothing will replace that feeling.”
For Fermanagh, this evening marks a first Croke Park appearance since 2008 — when the Erne County lost out to Kildare in the All-Ireland SFC qualifiers. And while promotion from Division 4 has been achieved, the primary goal of the league campaign for Fermanagh, Canavan is anticipating a big performance from his players.
He said: “The teams and supporters from the teams in upper divisions don’t realise how difficult it is and the quality of players that are currently playing in Division 4. There are provincial players of the highest standard playing there next year — from the likes of Limerick, Clare, Waterford and Carlow. It’s not an easy division to get out of and we’re delighted that we hit that target. Again, maybe for teams who are accustomed to success and winning national titles at Croke Park, a league final may not whet the appetite but my players are very much looking forward to it. We’re taking it very seriously and we’re going all out to win it.”
Fermanagh boss Peter Canavan is expecting another tight battle against Wicklow at Croke Park this evening.
When the sides met in March, Fermanagh secured a 0-11 to 0-9 victory at Brewster Park, Enniskillen.
Canavan said: “We played them this year and I’ve been fortunate enough to have seen them on a few occasions covering games for TV. I’m well aware of their players and they’ve produced big performances in championship games in recent years. Harry Murphy (Wicklow manager) correctly stated that his players deserve to be playing on a bigger stage than Division 4 and that’s something they’ve never done before. They have some excellent score-takers and players well renowned throughout the country — Leighton Glynn, Seanie Furlong and Tony Hannon [for example]. They are formidable opposition.”
FERMANAGH: R Gallagher; N Bogue, B Cox, N McGovern; C Quigley, R McCluskey, B Mulrone; S Lyons, E Donnelly; D Keenan, S McCabe, R Jones; E Maguire, S Quigley,T Corrigan.
WICKLOW: TBC.
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