Enda McGinley hopes former team mate Sean Cavanagh will continue his Tyrone career into 2017.

There have been rumblings of Cavanagh retiring from inter-county duty since the Red Hands' All-Ireland SFC quarter-final defeat to Mayo last month but McGinley, who won three All-Ireland titles alongside him in 2003, 2005 and 2008, believes the Moy stalwart still has plenty to offer Mickey Harte's young squad in terms of experience.

"I think Sean wields a massive influence within the side," McGinley told the Belfast Telegraph.

"The younger players look up to him for what he has achieved while the more experienced lads see how he has moulded his career and want to follow in his footsteps

"He is a tremendous competitor and I think that Tyrone need him in there to provide inspiration and leadership."

On some of the younger members of the panel, McGinley added: "When you look at the Tyrone side this year, you see how players like Niall Sludden and Cathal McShane have settled in and grown in stature.

"It is also recognised that teams with viable hopes of success must have a strong bench and Mickey certainly has a number of players he can turn to like Rory Brennan, Kieran McGeary, Jonathan Munroe, Padraig McNulty and others.

"I think those players can gain maturity during the league and will become even better for the Championship."

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