Michael McKernan of Tyrone in action against Keith Doyle of Roscommon during the Allianz Football League Division 1 match between Tyrone and Roscommon at O’Neills Healy Park in Omagh, Tyrone. Photo by Ben McShane/Sportsfile.
Allianz Football League Division 1
TYRONE 0-17 ROSCOMMON 1-11
By Francie Mooney at O'Neill's Healy Park
Tyrone staged high-charged second half performance, inspired by the brilliant Darrragh Canavan, to get their Allianz League Division One campaign off to a winning start at O’Neill’s Healy Park.
And they did it with 14 men, having had midfielder Conn Kilpatrick sent off at the start of the second half
The in-form Canavan made all the difference, the brilliant attacker finishing with eight points as his side reversed last season’s round one defeat at Hyde Park.
Roscommon, facing into a strong breeze, took an early lead through Diarmuid Murtagh, but Darragh Canavan had just edged the home side in front when Donie Smith grabbed a 14th minute goal, collecting a long ball from Daire Cregg to beat Niall Morgan with a precision finish at the butt of a post.
Ciaran Daly, one of six Tyrone league debutants, notched his second point, with Canavan and Niall Devlin also on target, but the Rossies were dangerous and effective on the breakaway, responding with scores from Evan Flynn, Murtagh and Cian Connolly to keep their noses in front
However, it was Tyrone who finished the half strongly with three points to get their noses back in front, Seanie O’Donnell’s mark followed by another debut score from Ben Cullen, before Niall Devlin hit the lead score in stoppage time, sending his side in with a 0-10 to 1-6 lead.
With midfielder Dylan Ruane out of the game on a black card for the first nine minutes of the second half, Roscommon defended in numbers, but Tyrone were reduced to 14 when their midfielder Conn Kilpatrick was shown a straight red card on 39 minutes.
But a spectacular salvo from Canavan saw him flash over four superb scores to push his side four ahead by the 52nd minute.
Roscommon were struggling to deal with Tyrone’s running game, and while Ketih Doyle and Murtagh did hit the target, it was an energised home side that was now in control of the contest.
Brian Kennedy took on the extra responsibility in the absence of his midfield partner, and Tyrone defended strongly in the face of a late Roscommon onslaught.
Cian Connolly punched to the net but saw the goal ruled out for a square ball infringement, and Murtagh narrowed the gap to three in a frantic finish, but the home side held out.
Scorers for Tyrone: D Canavan 0-8 (3f), C Daly 0-3, N Devlin 0-2, P Hampsey, M McKernan, S O’Donnell (m), B Cullen 0-1 each.
Scorers for Roscommon: D Murtagh 0-5 (4f), D Smith 1-0, N Daly, C Lennon, E Flynn, C Connolly, K Doyle, J Fitzpatrick 0-1 each.
TYRONE: N Morgan; C Devlin, P Hampsey, C Quinn; A Clarke, M McKernan, T Quinn; B Kennedy, C Kilpatrick; N Devlin, P Harte, B Cullen; S O’Donnell, D Canavan, N Devlin. Subs: R Canavan for T Quinn (56), D Mulgrew for C Quinn (inj 63), J Donaghy for Cullen (75).
ROSCOMMON: C Carroll; D Murray, E Flynn, N Higgins; C Walsh, N Daly, E McCormack; K Doyle, D Ruane; C Connolly, D Smith, D Cregg; D Murtagh, C Cox, C Lennon. Subs: R Dolan for Higgins (50), L Glennon for Flynn (52), A McDermott for Lennon (56), A Glennon for Cox (60), J Fitzpatrick for Walsh (67).
Referee: M McNally (Monaghan),