Tyrone 1-14 Derry 0-15:Eight impressive debutants and a fit-again Seán Cavanagh gave Tyrone manager Mickey Harte plenty of cheer as his side pipped Derry with a late goal to make a winning defence of their title in Omagh.

A crowd of 4,089 witnessed a competitive tie that looked as if it was set to give new Derry manager Brian McIver a winning start until substitute Conor McAliskey goaled three minutes from the end.

Derry new boys Ryan Ferris and Ryan Bell showed up well in the opening half but Tyrone remained in touch thanks to the place kicking of Cavanagh and Stephen O’Neill. O’Neill, Cavanagh and Mattie Donnelly tagged on scores to open up a three-point lead, but a Derry blitz in the closing minutes of the half saw Eoin Bradley land two points and James Kielt tie it up at 0-7 each.

Derry made it six on the spin, PJ McCloskey powering over a couple of points to push them three ahead, but two more Cavanagh frees tied it up at 0-10. Kielt restored Derry’s three-point cushion, before McAliskey struck.