Cathal McShane steps away from Tyrone panel ahead of All-Ireland SFC

2021: Tyrone's Cathal McShane celebrates after the game, kissing the Tyrone crest. Pic: Ryan Byrne/Inpho

All-Star forward Cathal McShane has stepped away from the Tyrone senior football panel ahead of the All-Ireland senior football championship campaign.

McShane, as reported by the Irish News, notified his teammates and Tyrone boss Malachy O'Rourke on Tuesday night of his intention to depart the setup.

The 29-year-old picked up three Ulster SFC medals, as well as an All-Ireland medal in 2021.

The Owen Roes clubman has enjoyed multiple stints of success in the white and red of Tyrone, having made his debut against Donegal in the 2015 Ulster SFC.

In the same year, under the guidance of Feargal Logan, Brian Dooher, and Peter Canavan, he helped Tyrone capture both Ulster and All-Ireland under-21 titles.

2019 was a particularly successful time on the pitch for McShane, in a personal sense. 

He earned an All-Star as his blistering form in front of goal, which saw him finish as the All-Ireland SFC's top scorer with 3-48, guided Tyrone to an All-Ireland semi-final before being narrowly defeated by Dublin.

The following year, McShane suffered a serious ankle injury against Galway before returning to prove a decisive figure in their 2021 All-Ireland win under the aforementioned Dooher and Logan. 

He grabbed goals in both the semi-final win over Kerry and the final against Mayo.

Last month, McShane made his final appearance for the Red Hands when he was selected in O'Rourke's starting 15 for their Ulster Championship opener against Cavan. 

However, he was left out of the matchday squad for their loss to Armagh as Mark Bradley and Darragh Canavan both made their injury comebacks.

Throughout his senior inter-county career, he hit 8-156 in 106 Tyrone appearances.