Allianz National Football League Division One: Tyrone 2-13 Derry 1-9
TYRONE got the Malachy O’Rourke era underway with victory over rivals Derry at O’Neills Healy Park on Saturday night.
Any hopes of a thrill-a-minute affair as a result of the new rule enhancements didn’t quite materialise, the cold, blustery evening lending itself to a bit more of what we’re well used to– with that keep ball approach helping the Red Hands to an opening Division One win.
Despite playing into a stiff wind in the first half, it was Tyrone who set the terms of engagement early on after a Brendan Rogers two-pointer from outside the arc had moved Derry three clear six minutes in.
Holding possession, the wind was too prohibitive to attempt anything speculative from range. You know that’s the case when even Niall Morgan refuses the opportunity.
Instead, they made the best use of the extra space granted by three players having to remain in the opposition half, Michael McKernan raiding impressively from deep to kickstart the revival, Shea O’Hare too showcasing the talent that shone so brightly with the U20s last year.
The Oak Leafs were the first to fall foul of the dissent rule when Declan Cassidy was punished, leaving Ronan Cassidy with the easiest of frees as Tyrone turned the screw.
Where Derry chased shadows, the Red Hands remained composed and controlled. Goal chances for Darren McCurry and Brian Kennedy were passed up before McKernan turned Ciaran McFaul inside out before lashing beyond Odhran Lynch.
The Coalisland ace burst through for another as half-time neared, before Niall Devlin left it 1-7 to 0-6 at the break.
Derry showed plenty of urgency upon the resumption, however, with Conor Glass thumping to the net two minutes in to close the gap to one, with Shane McGuigan starting to warm the task as the half progressed.
Tyrone, though, managed to wrestle back control after a McGuigan free momentarily moved Paddy Tally’s men into the lead, a scruffy goal for Peter Teague – not that he will care – after a superb Niall Morgan pass changing the momentum for a final time.
Substitute Eoin McElholm looked sharp when he replaced Ronan Cassidy, slotting over two fine scores, as the Red Hands got their campaign up and running.
Tyrone: N Morgan; A Clarke, P Teague 1-0, N Devlin 0-1; F Burns, M McKernan 1-2, S O’Hare 0-1; B Kennedy 0-1, L Gray; S O’Donnell, K McGeary, C Daly; D McCurry 0-3 (1tp), M Donnelly 0-2 (0-1 free), R Cassidy 0-1 (free).
Subs: C Kilpatrick for Gray (47), E McElholm 0-2 for Cassidy (45), R Brennan for Burns (57), B Cullen for O’Hare (65), M Bradley for Donnelly (67)
Derry: O Lynch; D Baker, E McEvoy, D Gilmore; C Doherty, B Rogers 0-2 (1tp), D Cassidy; C Glass 1-0, A Tohill; E Doherty 0-1, C McFaul 0-1, P Cassidy 0-1; N Toner, S McGuigan 0-4 (0-2 frees), L Murray.
Subs: B McCarron for McFaul (44), C Murphy for Toner (52), C McGrogan for P Cassidy (65), M Doherty for D Cassidy (65)
Yellow card: D Baker (67)
Referee: D Coldrick (Meath)
