Cavlan omitted from Tyrone squad

Gerard Cavlan in action for Tyrone against Fermanagh in May

Gerard Cavlan is a notable omission from Tyrone's 37-man squad for the Gaelic Life McKenna Cup.

Brian McGuigan is named even though he is still recovering after eye surgery but Brian Dooher, Stephen O'Neill and Joe McMahon are ruled out by injury.

The eight newcomers to the Red Hand squad include Dromore players Shaun O'Neill and Fabian O'Neill.

Kevin McNally, Martin Swift, Dominic Hands, Gary Reilly, John Gilmore and Conal Martin are also included.

Eglish player Martin was part of the Red Hand squad for a brief spell during Danny Ball's reign while Dromore player O'Neill was this year's Tyrone club footballer of the year.

Carrickmore sharpshooter McNally recently scored all seven of his side's scores in the Tyrone league final while Killyclogher's Swift, Dungannon's Hands, Killeeshil's Reilly and Cookstown's Gilmore also impressed during the recent series of Tyrone trials.

McGuigan is making an excellent recovery following his eye surgery in the summer but he appears unlikely to be ready for any McKenna Cup action.

Mickey McGee, Cormac McGinley and Colin Holmes are also named in the panel despite concerns over their current fitness.

Mickey Harte has also named a list of eight players who will be registered to play for third level institutions in the McKenna Cup.

They include 2007 panellists Raymond Mulgrew, Colm Cavanagh, Justin McMahon, Damian McCaul, Brendan Boggs and Peter Donnelly, although the latter will be out of action for the next couple of months after sustaining a broken arm in a recent trial match.

Brocagh's Ciaran Donnelly and Eskra's Paul Marlow are also included in the third level list and they are scheduled to line out for UUJ against Tyrone in the Red Hand County's opening McKenna fixture on 6 January.

Brian Dooher could be back for national league duty before the end of February, Joe McMahon is out until March while Stephen O'Neill could be ready for some NFL action in April.

Harte is likely to announce a reduced league and championship squad at the end of January.

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McKenna Cup squad: Dermot Carlin (Killyclogher), Sean Cavanagh (Moy). Jonathan Curran (Coalisland), John Devine (Errigal Ciaran), Colm Donnelly (Clonoe), John Gilmore (Cookstown), Conor Gormley (Carrickmore), Niall Gormley (Trillick), Ciaran Gourley (Rock), Dominic Hands (Dungannon), Davy Harte (Errigal Ciaran), Colin Holmes (Armagh Harps), Kelvin Hughes (Donaghmore), Kevin Hughes (Killeeshil), Philip Jordan (Moy), Conall Martin (Eglish), Aidan McCarron (Fintona), Cathal McCarron (Dromore), Cathal McCarron (Omagh), Pascal McConnell (Newtownstewart), Colm McCullagh (Dromore), Michael McGee (Loughmacrory), Cormac McGinley (Errigal Ciaran), Enda McGinley (Errigal Ciaran), Brian McGuigan (Ardboe), Tommy McGuigan (Ardboe), Ryan McMenamin (Dromore), Kevin McNally (Carrickmore), Ryan Mellon (Moy), Owen Mulligan (Cookstown), Fabian O'Neill (Dromore), Shaun O'Neill (Dromore), Martin Penrose (Aghyaran), P J Quinn (Moortown), Gary Reilly (Killeeshil), Paul Rouse (Brackaville), Martin Swift (Killyclogher).

College registered players: Brendan Boggs (Owen Roes), Colm Cavanagh (Moy), Peter Donnelly (Coalisland), Raymond Mulgrew (Cookstown), Justin McMahon (Omagh), Damian McCaul (Donaghmore), Ciaran Donnelly (Brocagh), Paul Marlow (Eskra)