Tyrone keep winning habit

McKENNA CUP SECTION A: Tyrone 1-18 UUJ 2-11:TYRONE COMPLETED a solid pre-season with a third straight win in the Dr McKenna Cup.

This latest joust with UUJ demanded some resolve from the Red Hands, who needed a Brian McGuigan goal to dig them out of trouble in the second half.

Seven Tyrone players lined out against their native county at Healy Park, with Mattie Donnelly in particular doing his call for county recognition no harm at all.

Donnelly grabbed a 13th minute goal, and the Jordanstown side had points from Emmet McGuckin, Colm Murney, corner back Ryan Pickering and Monaghan star Conor McManus.

The sides were level on five occasions during a closely-fought first half, but scores from Seán Cavanagh, Paddy McNeice and Martin Penrose helped Tyrone lead by 0-10 to 1-6 at half-time.

Caolan O’Boyle fisted home a second UUJ goal after the restart and they were threatening a shock result when McGuigan’s dipping shot went in off the far post.

Tyrone’s experience saw them take control with Ciarán Girvan, Cavanagh and McGuigan hitting the scores that saw them book a semi-final spot against Cavan.

TYRONE:J Curran; M Swift, C McCarron, D McCaul; S McNally, D Carlin (0-1), R McMenamin; K Hughes, A Cassidy (0-1); M Penrose (0-3, three frees), B McGuigan (1-2), S Cavanagh (0-6, six frees); P McNeice (0-1), S O'Neill (0-2), C Girvan (0-1). Subs:PJ Quinn for McCarron, E McGinley for Hughes, R McNabb for McMenamin, M Donnelly (0-1) for Cassidy.

UUJ:C Boyce; G McCartan, B Donaghy, R Pickering (0-1); McGinley, D Morgan (0-1), D McGuckin; C Young, C Murney (0-2); S Harkin, E McGuckin (0-2), P Hughes; C McManus (0-2, one free), C O'Boyle (1-1, one free), M Donnelly (1-1). Subs:D McNulty (0-1) for Harkin, J O'Neill for McManus, N Donnelly for Murney.

Referee:C Reynolds (Down).