Former Tyrone defender Conor Gormely believes his county’s chances of beating Armagh in the Ulster Championship semi-final depend on the fitness of forward Darragh Canavan.
Canavan sat out the Red Hands’ last-eight win against Cavan with a hamstring issue and faces a race against time to be fit for Saturday’s game in Clones.
Three-time All-Ireland winner Gormley is hopeful Canavan can feature given how important he is to Malachy O’Rourke’s young side.
“Darragh is going to be massive, if he is fit it’s a whole new extra dimension to Tyrone,” he told the GAA Social podcast.
“Do Armagh put a man marker on him? It gives them a bit more to think about.”
Gormley believes that Tyrone can triumph against the All-Ireland champions if they can replicate how Antrim managed to unsettle the Orchard County in the quarter-final.
“I think they can beat Armagh, but it will take a massive shift,” he added.
“After watching what Antrim did to Armagh, if Tyrone pick a bit off that they could cause them serious problems.”
The 44-year-old, who also won three All-Stars during his decorated inter-county career believes there is “still more to come” from many players in O’Rourke’s side.
“They’re taking their time to find their feet, some of these players are finding the transition from under-21 and club football to play at that level,” he explained.
“They’re doing very well but there is still more in them, the likes of Ruairi Canavan, he has a bit to go yet he can be a serious player once he does that.
“A few players need to get up to the physical size and speed of the game and we’ll know more about them after Saturday with Armagh being at that level.”
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