Emotional Conor Meyler finally back from a lonely place

For two long years, various injuries robbed the Omagh man of the joy of playing the game he loves so passionately.

An emotional Conor Meyler of Tyrone is consoled by his mother Paula following his return to action after a 23 month absence due to injury after the GAA Football All-Ireland Senior Championship Round 3 match between Tyrone and Cavan at Brewster Park in Enniskillen, Fermanagh. Photo by Ben McShane/Sportsfile

Conor Meyler felt the rush of emotion at Brewster Park Sunday as he stepped onto the field of play for the first time in two cursed years.

Injuries, too many to contemplate, had threatened to end the career of the Tyrone star whose dashing performances in 2021 had earned him an All-Star and a Footballer of the Year nomination.

Knee surgeries, hamstring problems and issues with groin, achilles, hip and foot contrived to rob the Omagh man of the joy of playing the game he loves so passionately.

But dedication and a dogged refusal to surrender to the demons which had ravaged his stricken body rewarded the 30-year-old.

Getting to play out the closing stages of the All-Ireland SFC group game against Cavan, his first appearance in a Red Hand shirt since the 2023 All-Ireland quarter-final defeat to Kerry, was a very special gift.

“It was emotional, it’s been a long two years, because probably nobody will really understand what you really go through when you're on your own,” he said.

“Injuries are a very lonely place, because although you can be around people, you can feel quite alone.

“I'm just grateful to get the day over. I hadn't thought too far ahead, to be honest. It was just about getting back on the pitch, getting a bit of game time.

“You were chomping at the bit to get on the last few days, and it didn't come, and you have to pick yourself up and go again. So, I'm just glad I did back myself and got to this moment. Whatever happens after this is probably all bonus territory, personally.” 

The support of family and close friends helped him through the darker times, and their presence at more positive stages of a tortuous journey meant the world to Meyler.

“I'm just very grateful for mum and dad, and there's a couple of good people around me who know who they are, and they really supported me and helped me.

“And that's the important thing, is just keep good people around you, because there will be days where you're not really feeling it, and motivation's low. So it's important to have that.” Hope came calling on a number of occasions, but time and again, relapses, setbacks and complications intervened to dash all positive expectations.

It was a lonely existence at the best of times, a solitary world for an elite athlete to inhabit.

“Anyone who's been through long-term injury will know how lonely it can be. Sometimes you're even around people and you still feel alone, but that's the nights where you're away from the set-up, that can be tricky, and that's why you say.

“I'm very fortunate to have a good family, because there's plenty of days where you wonder, is this opportunity going to come?

“You have to keep picking yourself back up again and again and again, and nobody really sees what goes on behind the scenes, even as an inter-county footballer. But then, one who's injured, it's even tougher. So yeah, just grateful is probably the overwhelming feeling.” 

Sunday’s Group 1 decider, which Tyrone won comfortably to take topspot and go through to the All-Ireland quarter-finals, saw Meyler make the matchday squad for the third successive game.

The moment was edging ever closer, and finally the nod came from manager Malachy O’Rourke, who felt the time was right to make the call which was to raise the loudest cheer of the day from Tyrone supporters at the Enniskillen venue.

“I wasn't really expecting it. It just shows you I'm very grateful to be from Tyrone, and had the opportunities I've had to play for Tyrone.

“People in other counties wouldn't have had the opportunities that I have. Some unbelievable players in other counties just haven't got that chance to play in Croke Park, to win All-Irelands.

“The friends it's given me, the opportunities it's given me, it's given me some of my best days of my life, and it's also brought me some low moments, but you wouldn't change any of it.”