Allianz Football League: Tyrone start Division One campaign with a 0-17 to 1-11 win over Roscommon

The impressive Darragh Canavan gets his shot away despite the challenge from Roscommon's Conor Fox

Darragh Canavan scored eight points as Tyrone responded to the dismissal of Conn Kilpatrick by beating Roscommon 0-17 to 1-11 in their league opener.

Kilpatrick was given a straight red for a high tackle on David Murray with Tyrone leading 0-10 to 1-6 moments after the interval at Healy Park.

Donie Smith scored Roscommon's goal in the 14th minute before Tyrone went on a scoring spree.

The Reds hit seven points out of eight to take control.

The Rossies had a late goal disallowed for a square ball and Tyrone held on.

• Allianz Football League: Sunday's action as it unfolded

This was a first opening round Allianz League win for Tyrone joint-managers Feargal Logan and Brian Dooher, and the first time the Red Hands had won their opening round league match since 2020.

The home side started with six league debutants and a new-look side that was tipped for relegation before the start of the Allianz Football League.

This game in Omagh was billed as a relegation battle, even though it was only a first round game, between two teams expected to struggle to retain Division One status.

And while it was far from perfect, Tyrone will be satisfied to have twice responded to adversity - once from the concession of the early goal, and then again after Kilpatrick's red card.

Tyrone scored the last three points of the first half to lead 0-10 to 1-6 at the break.

Tyrone captain Peter Harte celebrates the victory over Roscommon at the final whistle

Having had the aid of a strong wind, it was a slender advantage but one they'd have taken after Smith banged home the opening goal after 14 minutes.

Conor Cox was involved in the build-up and Smith swivelled and drilled the ball low into the left-hand corner of Niall Morgan's net.

That major put the Rossies ahead for the first time in the match, after they had been level three times in the early stages.

Padraig Hampsey and Michael McKernan sent over booming long-range scores for Tyrone, before Canavan cut inside for a trademark quality score.

At the other end, Roscommon were happy to sit deep, allow Tyrone to have the ball and then break at speed with Niall Daly, Ciaran Lennon and Evan Flynn on target.

Tyrone found some rhythm and momentum towards the end of the first half and hit the last three points of the half including Ben Cullen and Niall Devlin from play.

Setback for Ulster hosts

Facing into the wind for the second half, Tyrone suffered a major blow when Kilpatrick was sent off.

Yet in Canavan they had the most potent finisher on the pitch and he slotted over three points in a row, two from play, as Tyrone hit the Rossies on the break.

The visitors did not cope well with the extra man and only scored one point in almost half an hour's play.

In the meantime, Tyrone took control of the game with Ciaran Daly blazing the ball over the bar after Cormac Quinn's goalbound shot was turned onto the post by goalkeeper Conor Carroll.

Brian Kennedy was outstanding in the second half, raising his game after the red card for his midfield partner Kilpatrick.

Roscommon felt aggrieved when Cian Connolly's goal was disallowed for a square ball in the dying moments but Tyrone held on, and will travel to Derry next Sunday to face their former manager Mickey Harte with two valuable points already secured.