Fourteen man Tyrone see off the Rossies in league opener

Tyrone 0-17  Roscommon 1-11

A GOOD start to this National League campaign has the potential to transform Tyrone’s fortunes as a youthful team swept aside their opponents on Sunday at O’Neill’s Healy Park thanks to a display brimming with positive attacking.

Recent years have seen them struggle in their opening Division One match. But the determination to make amends worked wonders as the Red Hands came good in emphatic fashion during the second half.

Six players made their league debuts and the performances of Ciaran Daly, Seanie O’Donnell, Ben Cullen, Aidan Clarke and Conall Devlin certainly augurs well for the future. That future will receive a key test next weekend with that intriguing trip to meet a Derry side now managed by Mickey Harte.

Such side-issues will hardly worry Feargal Logan, Brian Dooher or the Tyrone players as they reflect on this important victory. It was achieved against the backdrop of three years of frustrating round one defeats in the National League.

Some of the indications seemed to point towards more of the same during the opening stages. Swapped points between Diarmuid Murtagh for Rosommon and Padraig Hampsey settled the teams as the game began at pace.

Michael McKernan edged the Red Hands ahead soon after. More importantly, the defensive massing was working well, and the counter-attacks at speed saw Cormac Quinn, Conn Kilpatrick and Brian Kennedy all excel.

Tyrone’s newcomers were also beginning to shine. Ciaran Daly raced through to punch over the bar. Seanie O’Donnell wasn’t afraid to dart through the centre to create space, while Ben Cullen was also lively. Meanwhile, Peter Harte and Niall Morgan were orchestrating matters as the home team pushed forward with purpose.

The positive play of Tyrone was further emphasised when Darragh Canavan raced over to score a characteristic point. It put them 0-4 to 0-3 ahead approaching the end of the first quarter and they looked capable of consolidating that advantage with the wind.

But then Roscommon suddenly discovered a rich vein of form.

A long ball into the goalmouth from Daire Cregg found Donie Smith who turned and shot low to the corner of the net.

That put them 1-3 to 0-4 ahead, and the onus was on the Red Hands to respond.

Ciaran Daly and Darragh Canavan fired over well-taken scores as Evan Flynn briefly made it 1-4 to 0-5 for the Connacht side. However, as the dust settled, Tyrone needed something to settle them approaching the interval.

Up stepped Darragh Canavan to settle them and reduce the deficit down to the minimum. Roscommon couldn’t capitalise when they broke free with Niall Morgan out of goals. Once that danger passed, the way was clear for Tyrone to really get going.

There was a roller-coaster finale to that first half. Diarmuid Murtagh and Cian Connolly briefly maintained the Rossies slender advantage, before Tyrone turned on the style to finish the half in a flourish.

Peter Harte set up Niall Devlin, before Ciaran Daly assisted Ben Cullen to bring the teams level at 1-6 to 0-9. Then, Seanie O’Donnell placed Niall Devlin to edge the Red Hands ahead at half-time.

Whether or not that lead would be sufficient was the big question on the resumption. Tyrone’s hopes of sustaining their challenge against the wind were initially dealt what could have been a significant blow. The red card dismissal of Conn Kilptrick reduced them to 14 and gave Roscommon the numerical advantage at least.

But Tyrone displayed real character, resolve, skill and tactical awareness to turn things around. Three points in quick succession from Darragh Canavan suddenly transformed a narrow lead into one that really set them up for the closing stages. His first was a characteristic long range effort. The second saw him capitalise on the Red Hand counter-attack and then he took a pass from Brian Kennedy to fire over the third. A free entering the final quarter from him extended their lead to 0-14 to 1-7.

By then, Roscommon’s challenge was seriously faltering. This was the time for Tyrone to turn the screw and they did so emphatically. A series of attacks really consolidated their dominance, culminating in Ciaran Daly firing over after an initial shot from Cormac Quinn was well saved by the Rossies goalkeeper.

For all that, though. Roscommon persisted. Diarmuid Murtagh left five between them entering the final five minutes of normal time. James Fitzpatrick and Murtagh again reduced the deficit down to three and they had a goal disallowed by Cian Connolly.

Nevertheless, it would have made no difference. Tyrone were always on top during that second half and nothing less than a complete collapse was going to deny them an important and fully deserved victory.

The Scorers
Tyrone
Darragh Canavan 0-8 (2f), Ciaran Daly 0-3, Niall Devlin 0-2, Padraig Hampsey 0-1, Ben Cullen 0-1, Michael McKernan 0-1, Seanie O’Donnell 0-1 (OM).
Roscommon
Diarmuid Murtagh 0-5 (4f), Donie Smith 1-0, Niall Daly 0-1, Evan Flynn 0-1, Ciaran Lennon 0-1, Cian Connolly 0-1, James Fitzpatrick 0-1, Keith Doyle 0-1.

The Teams
Tyrone
Niall Morgan, Conall Devlin, Padraig Hampsey, Aidan Clarke, Cormac Quinn, Michael McKernan, Tarlach Quinn, Brian Kennedy, Conn Kilpatrick, Niall Devlin, Peter Harte, Ben Cullen, Seanie O’Donnell, Darragh Canavan, Ciaran Daly.
Subs – Ruairi Canavan for T Quinn (56), David Mulgrew for T Quinn (63), James Donaghy for B Cullen (74).
Roscommon
Conor Carroll, David Murray, Evan Flynn, Niall Higgins, Niall Daly, Colin Walsh, Eoin McCormack, Keith Doyle, Dylan Ruane, Cian Connolly, Donie Smith, Daire Cregg, Diarmuid Murtagh, Ciaran Lennon, Conor Cox.
Subs – Robbie Dolan for N Higgins (48), Luke Glennon for E Flynn (51), Adam McDermott for C Lennon (56), Andrew Glennon for C Fox (64), James Fitzpatrick for C Walsh (65).

Referee: Martin McNally, Monaghan