Latest news with #ConorMeyler
Irish Examiner
4 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Emotional Conor Meyler finally back from a lonely place
Conor Meyler felt the rush of emotion at Brewster Park Sunday as he stepped onto the field of play for the first time in two cursed years. Injuries, too many to contemplate, had threatened to end the career of the Tyrone star whose dashing performances in 2021 had earned him an All-Star and a Footballer of the Year nomination. Knee surgeries, hamstring problems and issues with groin, achilles, hip and foot contrived to rob the Omagh man of the joy of playing the game he loves so passionately. But dedication and a dogged refusal to surrender to the demons which had ravaged his stricken body rewarded the 30-year-old. Getting to play out the closing stages of the All-Ireland SFC group game against Cavan, his first appearance in a Red Hand shirt since the 2023 All-Ireland quarter-final defeat to Kerry, was a very special gift. 'It was emotional, it's been a long two years, because probably nobody will really understand what you really go through when you're on your own,' he said. 'Injuries are a very lonely place, because although you can be around people, you can feel quite alone. 'I'm just grateful to get the day over. I hadn't thought too far ahead, to be honest. It was just about getting back on the pitch, getting a bit of game time. 'You were chomping at the bit to get on the last few days, and it didn't come, and you have to pick yourself up and go again. So, I'm just glad I did back myself and got to this moment. Whatever happens after this is probably all bonus territory, personally.' The support of family and close friends helped him through the darker times, and their presence at more positive stages of a tortuous journey meant the world to Meyler. 'I'm just very grateful for mum and dad, and there's a couple of good people around me who know who they are, and they really supported me and helped me. 'And that's the important thing, is just keep good people around you, because there will be days where you're not really feeling it, and motivation's low. So it's important to have that.' Hope came calling on a number of occasions, but time and again, relapses, setbacks and complications intervened to dash all positive expectations. It was a lonely existence at the best of times, a solitary world for an elite athlete to inhabit. 'Anyone who's been through long-term injury will know how lonely it can be. Sometimes you're even around people and you still feel alone, but that's the nights where you're away from the set-up, that can be tricky, and that's why you say. 'I'm very fortunate to have a good family, because there's plenty of days where you wonder, is this opportunity going to come? 'You have to keep picking yourself back up again and again and again, and nobody really sees what goes on behind the scenes, even as an inter-county footballer. But then, one who's injured, it's even tougher. So yeah, just grateful is probably the overwhelming feeling.' Sunday's Group 1 decider, which Tyrone won comfortably to take topspot and go through to the All-Ireland quarter-finals, saw Meyler make the matchday squad for the third successive game. The moment was edging ever closer, and finally the nod came from manager Malachy O'Rourke, who felt the time was right to make the call which was to raise the loudest cheer of the day from Tyrone supporters at the Enniskillen venue. 'I wasn't really expecting it. It just shows you I'm very grateful to be from Tyrone, and had the opportunities I've had to play for Tyrone. 'People in other counties wouldn't have had the opportunities that I have. Some unbelievable players in other counties just haven't got that chance to play in Croke Park, to win All-Irelands. 'The friends it's given me, the opportunities it's given me, it's given me some of my best days of my life, and it's also brought me some low moments, but you wouldn't change any of it.'
BBC News
5 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Meyler 'emotional' after long-awaited Tyrone return
Tyrone forward Conor Meyler said he was "emotional" after making his first appearance for his county in almost two came off the bench to help the Red Hands to a 0-31 to 0-18 win against Cavan which secured top spot Group Four progress to the All-Ireland 30-year-old's last appearance before Sunday came against Kerry at Croke Park in the last-eight of the All-Ireland in 2023 and he admitted it was a tough journey back after various knee and other injuries."It's been nearly two years so it's a long stint and a rocky road, but I'm delighted to get back out there and to get a win too more importantly," he told BBC Sport NI's Odhran Crumley."It was emotional, it is a lonely road when you're injured, it's a long process and when you're on the road there are a few bumps and there are a lot of people I'm grateful for."My family believed in me when I probably doubted myself, so to get back in a Tyrone jersey is class, it's hard to replicate those moments anywhere else."Meyler conceded that he had moments when he thought a return to the inter-county scene appeared unlikely, but that his return made him glad he kept persevering to get back."It was very realistic [not playing for Tyrone again] with a couple of injuries and big surgeries and medically, it was a big task," he added."You have to keep believing even if you do fall short, I'd rather have got to the end of the year throwing everything at it rather than wondering what if, so, it's great the hard work paid off and the boys and the management backed me to play."
RTÉ News
5 days ago
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Emotional Conor Meyler returns to fray after 'long two years'
An emotional Conor Meyler was delighted to return to action after a "long two years" sidelined with consecutive knee injuries. The 30-year-old made his long-awaited return for the county in their victory over Cavan, a win that books their place in the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship quarter-finals. Meyler has had a torrid time with knee injuries of late, as well as plenty of other niggles and knocks over the years. "I had three, in total, knee surgeries, two in the last two years. I had a lot of trouble with my achilles, groin, hamstring, hip, foot. Just a lot of niggles along the way. The knee has been the big one and that was the one that I probably wasn't sure will I get the chance again. "Thankfully I have good people around me who supported me and I got that chance", Meyler told RTÉ Radio 1's Sunday Sport after the game. The Omagh St. Enda's club man was visibly emotional post-game (above), and was quick to thank his family and wider "support network" for their efforts in getting him back onto the field. "It was a special moment. It's been a long two years. It's been a very rocky road as well; it hasn't been straightforward. "With a lot of setbacks along the way, you start to wonder if your chance is going to come again but very grateful for firstly my family, who did back me when I probably doubted myself at times; and the support network I have around me. "They're good people who back me and support me. The management team and the backroom team, who supported me as well", Meyler added. "It's emotional. Seeing my family, because I know how much they've given up to try and help me. Just to thank them for backing me and believing me and that was a nice moment because they've been through a lot as well to try help and support me. "It's as much for them and for other people as well. Hopefully it's a sign for others as well that the body can do unbelievable things if you really believe in yourself," Myler said. "To get the chance to put on the Tyrone jersey again is class but the bigger picture of when you back yourself, believe in yourself, you do something worthwhile. You endure enough then that opportunity eventually will come. Thankfully my chance came today." Like all long-term injuries, the road to recovery provided a plethora of obstacles which Meyler managed to overcome. "I think anyone who has been through a long-term injury will know that it's far from straightforward. You can go to training, be surrounded by people, yet still feel quite alone. "It's the time away from the setup, it's the nights where you're rehabbing by yourself, it's when you're sitting and icing or you're living the lifestyle but not getting the reward of actually playing", Meyler explained. "That's really difficult." Nonetheless, Meyler is back in action and delighted to be helping the cause of a strong Tyrone squad. "To get the chance to put on the Tyrone jersey again is class but the bigger picture of when you back yourself, believe in yourself, you do something worthwhile. You endure enough then that opportunity eventually will come. Thankfully my chance came today", Myler said. "As far as the panel goes, it's definitely very close [to the All-Ireland winning team]. We have a fully fit panel there of 33/34 men all chomping at the bit, and eight or nine boys who didn't make the 26 today who are all top, top players. "We're in a healthy place." Tyrone qualified top of group 1, ahead of Donegal, Cavan and Mayo. That means they will skip past the preliminary quarter-finals, and into the last eight alongside Meath, Monaghan and Armagh.
Irish Examiner
5 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Tyrone rout Cavan to clinch quarter-final spot
All Ireland SFC group 1: Tyrone 0-31 Cavan 0-18 Tyrone routed Cavan at Brewster Park to clinch top spot in group 1 and go straight through to the All-Ireland SFC quarter-finals. It's 42 years since the Breffni Blues have got the better of the Red Hands in championship football, and there was never any suggestion that sequence of results was about to change in Enniskillen. Malachy O'Rourke's side claimed control of the middle third in the second half to pound their opponents, with Darren McCurry helping himself to a 0-9 haul. And they got former All-Star Conor Meyler back on the field as he ended an injury nightmare with a first appearance since the All-Ireland quarter-final defeat to Kerry in 2023, but an injury to Michael McKernan could cause some concern as they look to push on with their bid for Sam. Now they have a two-week break ahead of their return to Croke Park for the first time since 2023, avoiding the need to play three weekends in a row to keep their challenge going. Peter Harte came in as a replacement for the injured McKernan after just three minutes to play an influential role in his side's positive first half display as they quickly built up a substantial lead. Another veteran, Mattie Donnelly, cut through holes in the Breffni rearguard to pick off a handful of scores and create scoring chances as the Red Hands established control of the contest. They were seven points clear by the end of the opening quarter, and gaining control of their own kick-out after losing a couple of early restarts, establishing a strong platform in the middle third. An emotional Conor Meyler of Tyrone meets his mother Paula. The game marked his return from two years of injury hell. Pic: Ben McShane/Sportsfile Darragh Canavan also landed a delightful score, with goalkeeper Niall Morgan and Harte both raising orange flags. Cavan put an effective press on Morgan's kick-outs, with Cormac O'Reilly hitting the target twice. But the Red Hands reeled off 0-7 without reply to lead by 0-9 to 0-3 at the end of the opening quarter. Dara McVeety's industry helped the Breffni men recover to narrow the gap through O'Reilly and Paddy Lynch, who kicked 0-4, including a two-point free. And they almost had a goal when McVeety intercepted a Morgan restart to fire in a shot but the goalkeeper redeeming himself with a fine save. The Red Hands finished the half with another run of scores, Cavan, Darren McCurry, Donnelly and Kieran McGeary all on target for a 0-17 to 0-8 interval lead. Lynch closed the gap with a two-point free, but the Red Hands pressed aggressively on Cavan's kick-outs, with Brian Kennedy, Conn Kilpatrick and Kieran McGeary winning the battle for possession to keep their side going forward. Another run of six unanswered points saw the gap stretch out to 13 by the 49th minute, and Raymond Galligan's men needed something special to kick-start their challenge. McCurry swung over a couple of gems, with Ciaran Daly and McGeary also nailing points, with a Sean McEvoy point the only Cavan reply during a difficult 17-minute spell. But they threw caution to the wind moving into the final quarter, substitute Ryan O'Neill claiming a two-pointer, with Lynch and Ruairi Curran also raising flags. The introduction of former All-Star Conor Meyler following a two-year injury hell raised the biggest cheer of the day from Tyrone fans, and the procession towards the Cavan goal continued, with McCurry unerring from placed balls as he brought his tally to 0-9 for the day. U20 Footballer of the Year Eoin McElholm also came off the bench to become the eleventh Tyrone scorer, with Canavan bringing his total to five, and news of Donegal's win over Mayo confirmed Tyrone's top of the table round robin finish. Scorers for Tyrone: D McCurry 0-9 (3f, 1tpf), D Canavan 0-5 (1f), M Donnelly 0-4, R Brennan 0-3 (1tp), K McGeary, P Harte (1tp), N Morgan (1tpf) (1tp) 0-2 each, C Daly, N Devlin, S O'Donnell, E McElholm 0-1 each. Scorers for Cavan: P Lynch 0-9 (3f, 2tpf, 1 '45), C O'Reilly 0-4, R O'Neill 0-2 (tp), O Brady, S McEvoy, R Curran 0-1 each. TYRONE: N Morgan; C Quinn, P Hampsey, N Devlin; M McKernan, R Brennan, P Teague; B Kennedy, C Kilpatrick; S O'Donnell, K McGeary, C Daly, D McCurry, M Donnelly, D Canavan. Subs: P Harte for McKernan (3), A Clarke for Devlin (29), E McElholm for Donnelly (47), C Meyler for McGeary (54), B McDonnell for Kilpatrick (66) CAVAN: L Brady; N Carolan, K Brady, C Reilly; B O'Connell, C Madden, P Faulkner; O Kiernan, E Crowe; G Smith, D McVeety, C Brady; C O'Reilly, P Lynch, C Madden. Subs; S McEvoy for K Brady (31), R O'Neill for Smith (49), R Curran for Kiernan (53), K Clarke for C Brady (60), L Fortune for Reilly (65) Referee: P Neilan (Roscommon).
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Meyler to make Tyrone return against Donegal
Conor Meyler will return to the Tyrone side for the first time since 2023 when the Red Hands begin their All-Ireland series against Donegal in Ballybofey on Saturday night. The 2021 All-Ireland winner missed the entirety of the 2024 campaign after a pair of knee surgeries and an Achilles injury but will make his intercounty return from the bench against the Ulster champions (19:00 BST). In what is the first game for Tyrone since Cathal McShane stepped away from the panel, Malachy O'Rourke is also able to name Mattie Donnelly in his starting side, the two-time All Star coming in for Joe Oguz. Aidan Clarke is named to start, as is Peter Harte with Ruairi Canavan dropping to the bench, although that was the case for the Ulster semi-final defeat by Armagh before their roles were swapped before kick-off. Donegal, meanwhile, have named an unchanged starting side. Jim McGuinness' squad secured a second consecutive Anglo Celt with an extra-time victory over Armagh in Clones two weeks ago and the two-time All-Ireland champions' named side shows just one positional switch. After starting at half-forward in the provincial decider, Hugh McFadden drops back into midfield, switching places with Ciaran Thompson. Donegal: Shaun Patton; Finbarr Roarty, Brendan McCole, Peadar Mogan; Ryan McHugh, Caolan McGonagle, Ciaran Moore; Hugh McFadden, Michael Langan; Daire O Baoill, Ciaran Thompson, Shane O'Donnell; Patrick McBrearty, Michael Murphy, Oisin Gallen. Subs: Gavin Mulreany, Stephen McMenamin, Odhran McFadden Ferry, Caolan McColgan, Eoghan Ban Gallagher, Odhran Doherty, Aaron Doherty, Eoin McHugh, Jamie Brennan, Conor O'Donnell, Niall O'Donnell. Tyrone: Niall Morgan; Aidan Clarke, Peter Teague, Niall Devlin; Michael McKernan, Rory Brennan, Kieran McGeary; Brian Kennedy, Conn Kilpatrick; Aodhan Donaghy, Mattie Donnelly, Ciaran Daly; Darren McCurry, Peter Harte, Darragh Canavan. Subs: Oisin O'Kane, Cormac Quinn, Padraig Hampsey, Frank Burns, Ben McDonnell, Shea O'Hare, Conor Meyler, Mark Bradley, Seanie O'Donnell, Ruairi Canavan, Eoin McElholm.
