McKenna Cup: Tyrone show attacking edge in a nine-point win over Derry

Tyrone marked the start of their 2019 season with a 0-11 to 0-20 McKenna Cup win over Derry at Celtic Park.

Darren McCurry scored five points on his return to the Red Hands' panel while Kyle Coney impressed on his first game for Tyrone in almost four years.

Full-forward Ryan Bell top-scored for Derry with three points.

Tyrone manager Mickey Harte will be pleased with his side's attacking display as highly-rated Darragh Canavan also scored on his senior debut.

The son of two-time All-Ireland winner Peter, was introduced off the bench 10 minutes into the second half and produced some clever touches in possession before kicking an excellent point as injury time approached.

Derry will next face Fermanagh at Brewster Park in round two on Sunday 6 January, while Tyrone, who are the early leaders in Section C, will take on Ulster University at Healy Park.

The GAA's experimental rules produced a stop-start opening half as both teams struggled to adjust to the new laws, with Tyrone particularly guilty of surrendering possession by failing to adhere to the limit of three consecutive hand passes.

McCurry and full-forward David Mulgrew were a constant menace to the Derry defence while goalkeeper Niall Morgan also kicked two long-range points as the visitors built a 0-7 to 0-9 half-time lead at Celtic Park.

The Oak Leafers might have led at the break when Enda Lynn spotted that Morgan had strayed off his line but the corner-forward's shot dropped just over the bar.

Trailing this year's All-Ireland finalists by two points at the break, Derry looked to reduce the deficit from the restart as captain Emmet Bradley cut the gap to a single score but Tyrone responded with seven unanswered points to effectively decide the contest.

McCurry, who opted out of the senior panel because of work commitments in March, scored three points in succession before Niall Sludden, Coney and Conan Grugan also got on the scoreboard as Derry were held scoreless for 22 minutes.

Bell converted a free in the 61st minute to end Derry's barren run but the result was already beyond doubt as the two sides traded scores before Canavan and Cathal McShane added the final gloss on an impressive opening night for the Red Hand men.