Hi °C | Lo °C Colm Cavanagh is anxious to follow in the footsteps of his big brother Sean by becoming one of the most celebrated midfielders in gaelic football.
The Moy clubman admits he has a long way to go to match the achievements of his elder sibling who will be conspicuous by his absence when Tyrone meet Donegal in Saturday’s Ulster Championship semi-final at Clones.
A shoulder injury sustained in a club game will keep former All-star Sean out for the rest of the season and while he focuses on his more sedate role as a television pundit, Colm will be at the coal face burrowing for the midfield possession that will be so essential for the Red Hands.
“I know the frustration that Sean is experiencing because I have had injuries myself and it’s particularly bad when you are forced to miss Championship games,” said Colm.
“Sean has been a key figure in the Tyrone side for eight or nine years now and I have learned a lot from him. I hope I can put this into practice if I manage to get a starting spot against Donegal.”
He would appear, though, to have no real cause for apprehension in relation to his selection.
In the quarter-final win over Armagh, he was dominant in the middle third of the park throughout the first-half, scoring two points that helped Tyrone to a |0-11 to 1-5 lead at the interval, going on to win 0-19 to 1-13.
On Saturday, Cavanagh and his likely partner Joe McMahon, will encounter Neil Gallagher and Ryan Bradley who ruled the roost when Donegal humbled Derry on Saturday week last.
“Donegal are strong in midfield and they have other boys who flood into that area to help out because of the way the team plays,” reflects Colm.
“We have to be ready for that. Rory Kavanagh has been injured lately, but if he were to be ready he would give them another option.”
