Tyrone's Darragh Canavan set to miss start of 2026 season

Darragh Canavan of Tyrone in action against Odhran McFadden Ferry of Donegal. Pic: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

Tyrone’s attacking ace Darragh Canavan is to miss the early part of the 2026 season after undergoing ankle surgery.

The Errigal Ciaran sharpshooter will play no part in the Dr McKenna Cup when it returns in January after a year’s absence from the calendar, and could miss the first couple of rounds of the National Football League as the Red Hands set about the task of making an immediate return to Division One following their relegation earlier this year.

Tyrone open their Division Two campaign at home to Kildare on January 24, according to the provisional fixtures schedule circulated by the GAA, followed by an Ulster derby against Derry at Celtic Park.

Canavan had been troubled by an ankle issue for some time, and played through the pain barrier as Errigal defended their Tyrone and Ulster titles.

The 25-year-old delayed going for surgery until after the completion of the club season, which ended for his side with defeat to Trillick in the Tyrone SFC final, flowed by a loss to Dungannon in the Division One league semi-final.

He now faces a spell of recovery and rehab before returning to action in the new year.

Malachy O’Rourke’s squad returned to collective training last week at Garvaghey with a number of new recruits, including a handful of players from back-to-back All-Ireland winning U20 teams.

News of Canavan’s spell on the sidelines comes in the wake of Conor Meyler’s retirement.

The 2001 All-Ireland winner, All-Star and Footballer of the Year nominee has been forced to end his football career at the age of 31 following a prolonged battle with Achilles and groin injuries.