Tyrone Masters get off to a winning start

REIGNING All-Ireland Champions Tyrone got their Masters campaign off to the best possible start with a resounding round one victory over Donegal on Saturday at Letterkenny.

The Red Hands, who are ultimately bidding to become the first time to win the Dr Mick Loftus Cup four years on the spin, ran out comfortable 2-19 to 0-9 victors against a decent Donegal side.

The early stages were fairly even but Tyrone soon found their groove and led by a virtually insurmountable 1-9 to 0-2 at the half-time whistle.

Getting onto the scoresheet in the first half were captain Conor Gormley, who pulled the strings at centre-forward and debutants Mark Donnelly, Martin Taggart and Leo Meenan, who expertly converted a penalty. Emmet McFadden also scored a number of quality points as Tyrone raced into a comfortable half-time lead.

The second half continued in much the same vein as Tyrone compounded their advantage with further scores from Gormley, Meenan, Donnelly, Johnny O’Neill and a goal from Drumragh’s Martin Taggart.

Subs Barry Collin, Peter Clarke and Michael Anderson also weighed in with scores as Tyrone pushed for home, and while Donegal tagged on a few late points, it was a case of too little, too late.