Impressive Tyrone surge leaves Derry for dust

Tyrone got the Malachy O'Rourke era off to a winning start with an impressive Allianz Football League Division 2 win over Ulster rivals Derry at O’Neill's Healy Park, finishing strongly to see off their neighbours.

The Oak Leafers had gone into the closing stages on level terms, but the home side pulled away, bagging a goal through full-back Peter Teague to seal the win.

It was an encouraging afternoon for the new rules, with more space for attackers to operate in, and little controversy over their application by referee David Coldrick, who had an accomplished day in charge.

But surprisingly, the sides managed just one two-pointer apiece, long range shooting at a premium at the Omagh venue.

Brendan Rogers landed the first two-pointer of the game to ease the Oak Leafers into a three points lead, but that proved to be the sole score from outside the 40 metre arc in the first half.

That early press from the visitors gave way to a half bossed by a lively Red Hand side that made little of the strong wind blowing in their faces.

They bossed the opposition kick-out, with Brian Kennedy seizing on to Odhran Lynch’s long restarts, and with Tyrone goalkeeper Niall Morgan pressing into Derry territory almost constantly, they stretched a defence that was cominbg under increasing pressure.

Wing back Michael McKernan was a perpetual attacking force, kicking his side’s opening point, before two stars of last year’s All-Ireland Under-20-winning side, Ronan Cassidy and Shea O’Hare, also hit the target.

Derry’s indiscipline saw them suffer a 50-metre free kick penalty on three occasions, one of which Darren McCurry converted from 13 metres for a 0-04 to 0-03 lead by the 23rd minute.

And they crafted a couple of goal chances, McCurry rifling a shot