Tyrone benefit from Canavan master-class

Tyrone - 1-9, Wexford 0-10 Peter Canavan inspired Tyrone to a two-point victory at Wexford Park on Saturday evening. As has become his trademark over the years Canavan impressed with some dazzling forward play, having a hand in the majority of his side's scores. However, Tyrone still struggled to withstand a late Wexford onslaught.

So, for the second successive week Wexford players lost out by two points. However, one had to admire their battling qualities and similar to the Dublin game, few would have begrudged them a draw in the end.

Canavan, with his first touch of the ball after 60 seconds, saw his effort rebound off the post and wide. Both sides were slow to settle but it was Wexford who had the opening score, a Matty Forde point, after he collected a long Diarmuid Kinsella delivery out of midfield.

But four points in a nine-minute spell had Tyrone leading 0-4 to 0-1 after 16 minutes. After Kevin Hughes had superbly brought the sides level with a seventh-minute effort, Tyrone took the lead 30 seconds later.

Wing forward Brian Dooher collected a poor delivery from Wexford goalkeeper Ollie Murphy and pointed splendidly off the wing.

Tyrone looked to be taking control when Stephen O'Neill steered over a further point two minutes later.

Canavan was increasingly prominent. Just 15 minutes into the game he picked out Kevin Hughes, whose pass was taken by Seán Cavanagh, but in a moment of desperation, the Wexford defence brought down the corner-forward.

However, goalkeeper Murphy atoned for his earlier lapse with a superb save from Canavan's penalty kick.

Tyrone took a three-point lead when Canavan pointed a free, but Wexford managed to remain in contention through a Leigh O'Brien free after 20 minutes.

One minute later the sparkling Canavan turned Wexford corner-back Colm Morris and passed inside for Kevin Hughes to first-time a great ground shot to the bottom corner of the net.

After Canavan had helped his side into a six-point lead, Wexford responded with points from Matty Forde and two Leigh O'Brien frees, with Canavan pointing a free in between, which left the 2001 Ulster champions with just a four-point interval cushion, 1-6 to 0-5.

The crowd had to wait seven minutes for the opening score of the second period when Tyrone increased their lead through a Gerard Cavlan point. Canavan's magic was witnessed five minutes later when his beautiful flick inside was finished for an excellent point by Brian Dooher.

After Paul Carley and Peter Canavan exchanged points a John Hegarty point left five separating the sides, 1-9 to 0-7, with 16 minutes left.

Tyrone failed to score again as Wexford went in search of victory. As the home side stormed forward in search of victory, points flowed from Matty Forde, substitute Jason Lawlor and Forde once again.

But despite persistent pressure it was the Tyrone defence which held firm in a tension-packed finish.