Armagh forwards find their range in a physical affair

You just can't win with a losing hand. Try as they did, Tyrone failed with all their cards to overwhelm this rock-solid Armagh team. And so without a whole lot of fuss, the first step in defending their Ulster crown was successfully manoeuvred.

But that's not to say this wasn't played hard. On the contrary, it was about as physical as the game gets, with man-on-man mauling for every ball, often spilling to the ground, and few periods of flowing football. A little over 30,000 showed up in Clones, the dominant colour being orange, and while the general feeling was that Armagh would have superior strength, Tyrone felt that didn't get their chance to challenge them last year. Unfortunately for them, they met an Armagh side with all the strength and spirit displayed last summer.

"Of course it was physical, but championship games always are," agreed joint Armagh manager Brian Canavan. "They certainly put it up to us in the first 20 minutes but I felt we weathered the storm quite well. Still, it was tough match all the way and we sure had to work hard for it."

By the end, five of Armagh's six forwards had scored, with the Diarmuid Marsden/ Oisin McConville combination particularly effective in the latter stages. Cathal O'Rourke was as effective from freekicks as McConville and while Paul McGrane failed to get his name on the scoreboard, he produced an outstanding display at centre forward.

Contrast that with Tyrone's tally and one gets a clear idea why they failed. Eoin Gormley was the sole contributor from frees right up to 51 minutes until finally Ciaran McBride shot their first and only point from play. Peter Canavan only started the game early in the second half due to recurring injuries, but in truth his introduction never once had the desired effect.

There was one moment, just 10 minutes from time, which could have brought Tyrone into contention. Chasing a 0-11 to 07 deficit, and hunting goals with only sporadic vigour, Cormac McAnallen was handed a gift of an opportunity. Gerard Cavlan's long shot bounced back off the upright and McAnallen, standing alone in front of goal, had only Brendan Tierney to beat. But his attempt lacked fire and the goalkeeper had little trouble making the block.

Up to that, goal chances for both sides were remarkably absent. After battling through the first 20 minutes, each side had only two frees in their account. Only gradually did Armagh make their physical dominance count, with captain Kieran McGeeney and McGrane providing clinical assistance to the midfield pairing of John and Tony McEntee.

That created plenty of opportunity for McKeever and O'Rourke, who then brought the three full forwards into action. It was surprising then that the first score from play, courtesy of Tony McEntee, didn't come until the half-hour mark. Along with frees from O'Rourke and McConville, Armagh had jumped in front 05 to 0-2 and even at that stage one had to wonder how Tyrone would reply. A soft score for McKeever brought the lead to four before the interval and it didn't change a great deal after that.

Tyrone, however, never once lost sight of hope. Peter Canavan warmed up on the sidelines and with Gormley chipping away with frees, Armagh were never quite out of reach. Canavan appeared to wild applause and substitute Barry McGuigan was also more effective at midfield than Ciaran McRory had been before him. Yet there was just no way through this Armagh defence.

John Donaldson, a late replacement for Gerard Reid, was highly effective at full back, as was Enda and Justin McNulty beside him. As a result, the likes of McBride and Cavlan searched every gap in vain.

And all the while, Mardsen and McConville lifted their games. Midway through the half, Tyrone would have conceded a goal had the post not got in the way of Marsden's 20-metre shot. Armagh also hit five wides before the end and they seemed content to run out time with the four-point margin.

There was some late tension in the final five minutes when Donaldson, previously booked, was sent off for a high blow to McGuigan. Moments after that, McKeever hit the perfect pass for McDonnell's second point and with that, the game faded out without any further trouble.

Reflecting on his side's display afterwards, Brian Canavan had reasons to be optimistic. "At times I thought we were a bit rusty," he added. "But this was our first real run as a championship side since last summer. It's pleasing to see that we have some quality forwards, but most of all I thought the full-back line was superb."