Seán Cavanagh to captain Tyrone

Tyrone manager Mickey Harte has announced Seán Cavanagh as his football captain for 2014 but he has lost the services of long-serving goalkeeper Pascal McConnell.

McConnell was a substitute in Tyrone’s breakthrough All-Ireland win in 2003, before taking up the number one position for both the 2005 and 2008 All-Ireland victories over Kerry.

McConnell lost his place to Niall Morgan earlier this year. He regained it after Morgan suffered a season-ending injury in June – although McConnell was always expected to make way again in 2014.

McConnell retires also having won All-Ireland medals at minor and under-21 level.

Cavanagh, meanwhile, will take over the captaincy from Stephen O’Neill, who does look set to continue for another season under Harte.