Ulster champions Tyrone packed too much power for Armagh in yesterday's minor clash at Clones. An awesome attacking performance sent out a clear signal that last year's beaten All-Ireland finalists, with seven survivors from '97 are the team to beat.

They raced into a 2-9 to 0-3 lead by half-time, with the help of goals from Enda McGinley and Gavin Wylie. Armagh had no answer to the dominance of midfielders Cormac McAnallen and Kevin Hughes, and although Tyrone eased off in the second half, playing with the wind, they were never in any danger.

Armagh did manage to hit back with some excellent scores from Barry McKeown and Martin O'Rourke, but the holders finished with a flourish: late points from Aidan Lynch and inspiring skipper Brian McGuigan helped them to a 12-point win.

TYRONE: P McConnell, G Devlin, M McGee, F Loughran, C Meenagh (0-1), D O'Hanlon, P O'Neill, C McAnallen (0-2), K Hughes (0-2), G Wylie (1-1), B McGuigan (0-2), S O'Neill (0-1), A Lynch (0-4), E McGinley (1-1), R O'Neill (0-2). Subs: E McNally for P O'Neill, R Mellon for Lynch.

ARMAGH: W McSorley, M Gill, T France, B Shannon, J Conion, K O'Hare, T Duggan, D Edwards, P Loughran, P Toner, M O'Rourke (0-1), C McAlinden (0-1), G Callan (0-2), B McKeown (0- 5), N McElvanna. Subs: B Rafferty for McAlinden, P Grimes for Edwards.

Referee: E R O'Neill (Derry).