MALACHY O’ROURKE was delighted to get his reign as Tyrone boss off to a winning start as the new rules he helped create were given their first airing in Healy Park.
A goal in each half from Michael McKernan and Peter Teague — and a two-pointer from the ‘Dazzler’ Darren McCurry — earned the Red Hands an opening-round NFL win over defending champions Derry.
Aside from a very good third quarter by the Oak Leaf, which included a stunning goal from Conor Glass, Tyrone looked comfortable with life under O’Rourke and comfortable with the new rule ‘enhancements’.
But O’Rourke — who was part of Jim Gavin’s Football Review Committee — insisted: “If we’re being honest these games in these conditions are not going to be a great spectacle.
“But I do think as the year goes on there’s definitely more space for the forwards to operate in.
“Good teams will still get players back and through time we will see what works and what doesn’t.”
Tyrone wanted to set the tone under their new boss — even if they were without their Errigal Ciarán stars.
O’Rourke added: “We had a couple of players injured and with the Errigal boys not back and Derry coming with a strong team, we knew it would be a tough battle for us.
“But we knew if we played as a team we would have every chance.
“We are only with the boys for a short while and you’re talking and saying things to them.
“It always helps if you start with a win or two because it copper-fastens everything you’re saying.
“We all know how condensed this league is so from week to week it’s important not to get too high after the wins or too low after the defeats.”
The sight of two arc lines on the Healy Park pitch was a tad confusing as the original blue line was not the correct size or shape.
And that meant it had to be replaced by a second white line being drawn.
But otherwise, the rule ‘enhancements’ themselves were not that confusing and contributed to a lively, entertaining game.
The ‘three up’ change definitely seemed to lead to more space for forwards to attack.
And the teams were not long catching on to the fact David Coldrick was going to be strict in other areas.
Derry were punished three times in the first half for dissent and not handing the ball over to their opponents after losing possession.
The ball was brought forward 50 metres each time.
And new Derry gaffer Paddy Tally called the rule “draconian”.
He rapped: “It doesn’t seem natural. I think it’s a very draconian punishment for something so simple at times.
“There was one there I don’t know if the ball was even touched on the ground and knocked away.
“The players weren’t too sure what it was for, and it was brought up 50m so I think it’s a hard one on players.”
When asked if Tyrone were further down the line in terms of preparation and in working with the new rules, Tally replied: “I’d say so.
“Sure Malachy was on the committee that designed the rules so it’s a fair start, isn’t it?”
DERRY’S FAST START
Derry raced into a three-point lead, notable for Brendan Rogers’ two-pointer after seven minutes, the only one of the day.
Tyrone did not score until the 11th minute and then scored five on the trot to lead 0-5 to 0-3 after 24 minutes.
Defender Michael McKernan scored 1-2 in the first half with a superb goal after 30 minutes when he turned down an easy point option to blast the ball high into the net.
That major ensured the Red Hands led by four points at half-time.
Derry needed a good start to the second half and got it with a fine Glass goal after Shea O’Hare gave away possession.
Tohill sent him away and he unleashed a fierce shot from distance to beat Niall Morgan — who did not even move.
It sparked a strong second half from Derry — and with Morgan’s kickouts not finding their intended targets, the Oak Leafers profited and a pair of Shane McGuigan frees midway through the second half put them in front for the first time since the opening minutes.
It was all Derry in the second half until Tyrone scored a goal against the run of play.
Morgan’s pass to pick out Ciaran Daly sparked it off.
And after Niall Devlin was held up on the line, Teague bundled the ball over the line.
It left Tyrone four points ahead with ten minutes to play and they were comfortable, with sub Eoin McElholm making an impact and McCurry nailing a late two-pointer.
TYRONE: N Morgan; A Clarke, P Teague 1-0, N Devlin 0-1; F Burns, M McKernan 1-2, S O’Hare 0-1; B Kennedy 0-1, L Gray; S O’Donnell, K McGeary, C Daly; D McCurry 0-3, 1tp, M Donnelly 0-2, 1f, R Cassidy 0-1f.
Subs: E McElholm 0-2 for Cassidy 47 mins; C Kilpatrick for Gray 47; R Brennan for Burns 58; B Cullen for O’Hare 65; M Bradley for Donnelly 70.
DERRY: O Lynch; D Baker, E McEvoy, D Gilmore; C Doherty, B Rogers 0-2tp, D Cassidy; C Glass 1-0, A Tohill; E Doherty 0-1, C McFaul 0-1, P Cassidy 0-1; N Toner, S McGuigan 0-4, 3f, L Murray.
Subs: B McCarron for McFaul 43 mins; C Murphy for Toner 53; M Doherty for P Cassidy 65.
REFEREE: D Coldrick (Meath).
