On an action-packed day at O’Neill’s Healy Park, Tyrone demonstrated their tenacity by overcoming Roscommon in the Allianz Football League’s grand opening, marking their first day one victory since 2020. An impressive feat indeed, considering they were down to fourteen men in the second half, following the red card shown to Conn Kilpatrick.
Tyrone, leading by three points, exhibited a stellar performance, with Darragh Canavan stealing the show. The talented forward scored eight points, more than proving his mettle. His performance was instrumental in reversing last year’s round one defeat at Hyde Park.
The game started with Roscommon’s Diarmuid Murtagh scoring, but Tyrone’s defenders Padraig Hampsey and Michael McKernan quickly retaliated with two remarkable slices, capitalising on the gusting wind at their backs.
Tyrone’s debutant, Ciaran Daly, was no less impressive, punching over another point after catching a high ball from McKernan. But Roscommon remained undeterred, with Ciaran Lennon reflecting Daly’s effort at the other end.
In the 14th minute, Roscommon’s Donie Smith made a decisive move, picking up Daire Cregg’s searching delivery to place a firm shot past Tyrone’s goalie, Niall Morgan. However, Tyrone’s resilience was evident when they responded with Ciaran Daly, who was instrumental in several attacking moves, and Darragh Canavan, who helped narrow the gap.
Roscommon, though, managed to hold their ground, with Evan Flynn, Cian Connolly, and Diarmuid Murtagh all finding the target. The first half ended with Tyrone leading by three, thanks to Seanie O’Donnell, Ben Cullen, and Niall Devlin, leaving the score at 0-10 to 1-6 in favour of Tyrone.
The second half was no less dramatic. Tyrone’s Conn Kilpatrick received a straight red card within the first ten minutes, leaving Tyrone down a player. But, Darragh Canavan’s spectacular performance added four superb scores to Tyrone’s tally, giving them an edge.
Roscommon struggled to keep up with Tyrone’s dynamic game, managing to get a few points from Keith Doyle and Diarmuid Murtagh. But it was Tyrone who held the reins, with Brian Kennedy taking on the extra responsibility in the midfield. Despite a late surge from Roscommon, Tyrone’s defence stayed strong, ensuring their victory.
The exhilarating match ended with Tyrone victorious, despite their numerical disadvantage. This victory not only marked a promising start to their season but also showcased the team’s potential and resilience. The future games will indeed be a spectacle to watch if this opening match was any indication.
