Darragh Canavan created a scoring opportunity from all but one of the kickpasses played into him during Tyrone's 2025 Allianz League campaign.
After dropping down from the top tier with three defeats, Tyrone should have learned one key thing from a forgettable start and a promising finish.
After returning to fitness for the final four games of the league, coming on after 21 minutes against Kerry and starting the draw against Galway and wins over Donegal and Dublin, Canavan received a combined 11 forward kickpasses from his team-mates. With those he scored or assisted 2-06 (scoring 2-03). He had another goal chance saved, and one point attempt drifted wide.
The Errigal Ciarán marksman scored 3-16 in total across those four appearances, including seven frees, of which he won three himself. Canavan also assisted (or was fouled for) 1-10, leaving him with a score and assist average of 1-07 per game coming into this afternoon's Ulster championship quarter-final against Cavan.
Darragh Canavan scores Tyrone's first goal against Kerry
He has already shown at underage, club, university and senior inter-county level that he is one of the best footballers in the country: with Under-17, U20 and senior All-Ireland medals, along with a Sigerson Cup and Ulster club championship.
In the first half of Tyrone's final round game against Dublin, every kickpass into Canavan resulted in a score for Tyrone. The wins over the Dubs and Donegal coincided with the amendments to the new rules, which included the scrapping of the 12v11 scenario whereby goalkeepers joining the attack were creating a man advantage for the attacking side. This led to long spells of possession to set-up that advantage and isolate the free player.
Tyrone's kickpasses to Canavan increased from one in the Kerry defeat, to two in the Galway draw, to three in the win over Donegal to five in the win over Dublin.
While Tyrone as a team went from making just six kickpasses into a forward against Derry, eight against Mayo, three against Armagh, as few against Kerry, and five against Galway, to 13 in the win over Donegal and 12 when hosting Dublin in Omagh.
The rule changes have benefited Tyrone in forcing them to be more direct. Of their 49 kickpasses into the forward line during the league, they amassed 4-20, which equates to a point from 65% of their forward kickpasses.
However, as well as having one of the best forwards in the country in Darragh Canavan, they have one of the best goalkeepers too. And aside from converted midfielder Ethan Rafferty in the Armagh goal, Tyrone goalkeeper Niall Morgan is the most effective roving keeper in the modern game.
Often in the quarter-back role, Morgan was in many ways the star of a disappointing league campaign for Tyrone. With number one on his back, he played every game and averaged 15 in-play involvements per game. This refers to passes, shots and contests.
His headline contributions were five kickout wins, and 0-03 from play. In total, Morgan scored 0-10, including a pair of two-pointer frees and two 45s.
Prior to the rule amendments, 63% of his in-play involvements were in the opposition half, as Tyrone looked to control possession to create their 12v1, then stretch the opposing defence and free-up space for an overlap. While most goalkeepers across the country struggled with the added in-play duties, Morgan thrived.
Niall Morgan fulfils a quarter-back style role from his goalkeeping berth
With 11v11, 60% of Morgan's involvements were back in his own half, as an outfield player would need to drop into their own half to allow their goalkeeper to join the attacking phase.
Even when Tyone opt against going back to go forward, Morgan still adds a huge amount in-play, given his ability to step up and create a dominant press on opposition kickouts (and get back quickly if things go awry), he's able to accelerate out of defence after collecting dropped shots or making interceptions as a sweeper, and if given time and the play is stalled he is an excellent long-range passer and shooting option.
Tyrone are stacked with excellent, versatile footballers, with several more coming through from last year's superb under-20 team, however this leaves them caught between styles. Their transition is rapid at times, however more often they look to slow the pace of the game down to maintain control.
With talismans at either side of the field, Tyrone often have two options in possession - play through Morgan and pick holes in the opposition. Or trust Canavan and co inside and feed them with quick ball.
However, as would be the norm in the modern game, the latter is usually reserved for risk averse openings.
Their league campaign gave a clear answer to which is the most effective route. The new rules are designed to encourage and reward direct attacks, with 11 v 11 making it much harder to maintain possession if the opposition looks to press.
Starting in Healy Park this afternoon, Canavan will have more space than any season so far in his inter-county career. The question is will Tyrone continue to look to control large parts of the game, and for opportunities to bring their goalkeeper into play?
Or will they buy into the new rules and provide Canavan with enough quality possession to do more of what he's managed off scraps so far this season?
Watch Tyrone v Cavan in the Ulster Football Championship on Sunday from 3.45pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player. Follow a live blog on rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app and listen to Sunday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1
Watch The Sunday Game from 9.30pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player. Follow a live blog on all matches on rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app. Listen to updates from around the country on Sunday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1
