Tyrone breeze past Derry

Tyrone 1-17 Derry 1-6

Tyrone 1-17 Derry 1-6

It was a canter for Tyrone as they began the defence of their Ulster and All-Ireland football titles with a preliminary round rout at Clones.

Derry simply weren't at the races against a Red Hand side which is at last beginning to show glimpses of the form which propelled them to a first Sam Maguire Cup triumph last year.

But for a late goal, the Oak Leaf side was looking at a 14-point thumping, and Tyrone would not have been in the slightest bit flattered.

Sean Cavanagh was a colossus in midfield, while Kevin Hughes revelled in his new full forward role and Brian Dooher was, as always, tireless and inspirational.

All but one of Tyrone's 18 scores came from play, and they blasted out a nationwide alert that they will once again be the team to beat this season.

Colm McCullagh, Cavanagh and Philip Jordan were all on target inside the opening eight minutes as Derry struggled to settle to the pace of the game.

Mickey Moran's side did have their chances, but too often punted aimless long ball into an inside forward line which simply didn't have the ball-winning power.

They were also afflicted by dreadful finishing, Enda Muldoon one of the greatest culprits as they chalked up nine first half wides before Paddy Bradley hit their opening score in the 31st minute from a 13 metre free.

By that stage Tyrone, with Sean Cavanagh running riot in midfield and Brian McGuigan as creative as ever, were firmly in control, ahead by 0-6 to 0-0, Cavanagh having surged through to score again, before his former midfield partner Kevin Hughes, now operating at full forward, and skipper Brian Dooher also planted the ball between the posts.

Defender Francis McEldowney ventured forward to shoot a Derry point, but the promise of better things to come proved to be a false one, for they lost half back Padraig O'Kane just before the break, sent off after picking up two yellow cards in as many minutes, his second dismissal in successive games against Tyrone.

Mark Harte sent Tyrone in at the break with a healthy 0-7 to 0-2 lead, and they could see the finishing line as early as the third minute of the second half, when Harte provided the perfect pass for Hughes to smack home a goal.

Muldoon and Bradley did tap over a couple of frees, but as the game progressed, Tyrone used their numerical advantage and Derry's flagging spirits to lay on some exhibition football for their adoring fans in the 22,243-strong St Tiernach's Park crowd.

Cavanagh brought his tally of delightful scores to four, Harte stroked them over with both feet, and despite conceding a late goal to defender Padraig Kelly, the champions finished with a flourish, and Enda McGinley and substitute Stephen O'Neill added further points.

Tyrone: J Devine, R McMenamin, C Gormley, C Gourley, B Donnelly, G Devlin, P Jordan (0-1), C Holmes, S Cavanagh (0-4), B Dooher (0-2), B McGuigan, E McGinley (0-1), M Harte (0-4, 1f), K Hughes (1-2), C McCullagh (0-2). Subs: J McMahon for Donnelly, S O'Neill (0-1) for Dooher

Derry: B Gillis, SM Lockhart, N McCusker, P Kelly (1-0), P O'Kane, K McGuckin, F McEldowney (0-1), F Doherty, E Muldoon (0-1, f), Patsy Bradley, C Gilligan, J McBride, J Kelly, Paddy Bradley (0-4, 3f), P McFlynn. Subs: R Lynch for McFlynn, J Donaghy for Kelly, J Bradley for Patsy Bradley.

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