Tyrone rocked as Canavan pulls out

Tyrone football has been rocked by the withdrawal of talismanic forward Peter Canavan from the National League squad.

The former All Star is still suffering from an ankle injury that shortened his season last year.

The former captain is to continue playing with his club Errigal Ciaráin, and has not ruled out a return to the Red Hands for the championship later this year.

Canavan's withdrawal means Mickey Harte is without five of the 2003 All-Ireland-winning team.

The death of Cormac McAnallen, the departures of Brian McGuigan and Kevin Hughes for Australia and the withdrawal of Gerard Cavlan have weakened Harte's options considerably.