Meyler 'emotional' after long-awaited Tyrone return

Meyler has spent close to two years out with successive knee injuries

Tyrone forward Conor Meyler said he was "emotional" after making his first appearance for his county in almost two years.

Meyler 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 quarter-finals.

The 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."