Sean Armstrong | Niall Bogue | Eoin Brosnan | Paddy Bradley | Sean Cavanagh Aidan Carr | Kevin Cassidy | Ronan Clarke | Bryan Cullen | Colm Cooper
Shane Curran | Brian Dooher | Kieran Donahy | Mattie Forde | Thomas Freeman
Raymond Gallagher | Paul Galvin | Leighton Glynn | Ciaran Hanratty
Stephen Kernan | James Masters | Andy McClean | Oisin McConville
Ciaran McDonald | Stephen McDonnell | Michael Meehan | Barry Monaghan
Finnian Moriarty | Adrian Morrissey | Conor Mortimer | Eoin Mulligan
Ross Munnelly | Nicholas Murphy | Eamon O'Hara | Stephen O'Neill
Tomas Ó Sé | Darragh Ó Sé | Declan O'Sullivan | Colm Parkinson | Tomás Quinn
Donal Shine | Ciaran Whelan | Fergal Doherty
August was a hectic month for Tyrone with 3 tough games in which they beat Mayo, Dublin and Wexford to reach their 3rd All-Ireland final in 5 years. Tyrone’s Sean Cavanagh has had a new lease of life in the number 14 jersey, playing a huge part in getting the Red Hand county to this year's final and he cant wait to take on The Kingdom.
Defences all over the country dreaded the sight of the three-time All-Star, as the Red Hand hero added to an already potent forward line with his great fielding and accurate score-taking. His performances against Westmeath, Mayo and Dublin left everyone talking and it looks like there is more to come from the master from Moy.
The Tyrone star, who has represented his country at International Rules Series, will stop at nothing to add to his two All-Ireland Senior medals won in 2003 and 2005. This accountant will be hoping that the figures tot up in his favour come the third Sunday in September.
It’s been a fantastic year for Tyrone, what has been the highlight for you?
The Dublin game was the highlight. I know the All-Ireland will be the main thing but this game had everything; the atmosphere, the crowds, the media hype and we seemed to click on the day with a good team performance.
How does it feel to be back in an All-Ireland final?
It feels great, the whole county is getting behind us and there is a great buzz around, but we have to knuckle down and work hard if we are to beat The Kingdom from winning the 3-in-a-row.
What has been your greatest sporting moment?
Playing for Ireland in the International Rules Series when we played Australia in Melbourne back in 2005. We played in the Telstra Dome and the place was packed to the rafters, it was a special occasion.
Which is the toughest team you have ever faced?
I would have to say Cork. We played them in the National League and they are a big strong physical side with lots of great players.
You have played at midfield and at full-forward, you must and have come up against some good players in your time. Who would be the toughest?
In midfield it would have to be Dublin’s Ciarán Whelan. He is a fantastic fielder of the ball and very hard to outjump. At full-forward, one of the hardest full-backs that I played against has to be Mayo’s Tom Cunniffe.
Which players do you admire the most?
There are so many good players but at the top of my list would have to be Kerry’s Colm “The Gooch” Cooper. He is the best scoretaker around and gets The Kingdom through many a tight game.
Who were your heroes when you were growing up?
Our very own Peter Canavan and Derry’s Anthony Tohill. Tohill’s all-round work rate and forceful play inspired me to try to be like him.
What club do you play for and who are your biggest rivals?
I play my club football with Moy and our biggest and closest rivals would be Eglish. All the games with them are big local derbies.
What is the most important football skill in your opinion?
Soloing and being able to hold on to the ball comfortably. I play a lot of basketball and this helps me a lot, it’s something that I work on a great deal in training.
What advice would you have for young players?
Practise, practise, practise, put in the work and make yourself a better player. If you want it bad enough all the hard work will pay off in the end.
What are your hopes for the future?
It would be great to go on and win our 3rd All-Ireland title in 5 years and also to represent my country against the Aussies downunder in the Autumn would be great.
With many of the Tyrone stars sporting Desperate Dan beards, have you thought of growing one yourself?
My team-mate Ryan McMenamin has been trying to get me to go for it but I think my girlfriend would have something to say about that.
NAME: Sean Cavanagh
AGE: 25
TEAM: Tyrone
DEBUT: 2002 v Armagh
POSITION: Midfield & Full-Forward
HONOURS
2 All-Ireland Senior titles,
2 National Football League titles,
2 Ulster Senior titles,
1 All-Ireland Minor title,
2 Ulster Minor titles,
1 MacRory Cup title,
3 All-Star Awards.
CLUB: Moy
FAV FOOD: Spaghetti Bolognese
FAV BOOK: Roy Keane Autobiography
FAV BAND: Coldplay
FAV FILM: Love Actually
FAV TV: Simpsons
HOBBIES: Golf
OCCUPATION: Accountant
CúlFACT 1:
Seán’s fiancée, Fionnuala Vernon, is a sister of Armagh’s football star, Charlie Vernon. It’s just as well Wexford beat Armagh in the quarter-final or else it would have been a sticky situation. |
