Oisin McConville feels Darragh Canavan has realised he's the player who needs to be providing scores for Tyrone.
Darragh, son of Tyrone legend Peter, scored ten points as his side drew with Westmeath in their final game of the All-Ireland SFC round robin stage at the weekend.
The result ensured Tyrone qualified for the knockout stages by the skin of their teeth. They will face Donegal in a preliminary quarter-final in Ballybofey on Saturday evening.
Darragh Canavan becomes the 11th Tyrone man to score 10 points in a single championship match today. The other 10 are Iggy, Frankie D, Patsy Barrett, Frank the King, Peter God, Stevie, Mugsy, Petey, Skeet and Dazzler. If today proves anything, it's that Darragh needs a nickname.
— Eunan Lindsay (@eunanjack) June 18, 2023
Darragh Canavan kicked six of his points from frees while four came from play. His younger brother Ruari contributed a further three points to Tyrone's 0-18 total.
"I actually thought when Darragh Canavan came on the scene, the one thing I kept saying to myself was 'He's too unselfish. He's always bringing other players into the game'," 2002 Armagh All-Ireland winner McConville told the BBC's The GAA Social podcast.
18 June 2023; David Lynch of Westmeath in action against Darragh Canavan of Tyrone during the GAA Football All-Ireland Senior Championship Round 3 match between Tyrone and Westmeath at Kingspan Breffni in Cavan. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile
"Now, he still has that aspect to his game but I think he's taken more of an onus. I think he realises the onus is on him now to kick those scores. I think that's what he's started to do.
"I think that's the difference between Darragh Canavan this year and last year, and even the year before. I think he realises there's a massive onus on him to deliver scores.
"He's so accurate. He actually reminded me a little bit of Stephen O'Neill at the weekend. Left foot, right foot. His ability to just make that little bit of space for himself. Tyrone became very reliant on him at the weekend."
Darragh Canavan levels the sides with his fifth point of the game for Tyrone.
Watch the game live on https://t.co/C7FxP1q5Ku pic.twitter.com/QyJVwuAFQo
— The GAA (@officialgaa) June 18, 2023
See Also: 'We Can Always Say 'Kerry Had To Bring A Tyrone Man Down''
