Tyrone fielded a young team, full of fresh faces and enthusiasm, to tackle the new landscape of Gaelic football that the new rules have created, but it was seasoned star Michael McKernan who made the most of the changes, scoring 1-02 from half back in the first half alone, and charging his side to victory against Derry.
Regardless of new rules though – or the fact that both teams had new manages on the sideline – the only thing that Tyrone’s determined defender was concerned about was beating their Ulster neighbours, and getting their league campaign off to a winning start.
“Really it was just about getting the win, that was the most important thing,” explained McKernan.
“At the start, Derry went three or four up and down well, but we kept composed, got back in the game, and got ourselves in the lead.
“A bit like when we played Derry last year though in Celtic Park, we started the second half very poorly, but thankfully this time we turned around and came out the other side of it.
“I think for the last three or four years Derry have beaten us comfortably, and we weren’t happy with that, so it was all about starting this year on the right tone.
“Now we have done that, it is all about pushing on and keeping standards up.”
When these novel enhancements were passed, many thought that it would be the forwards who could benefit the most from the changes, particularly with all of the extra space afforded to them.
However, it was McKernan, with the number six embroidered proudly on his back, that finished the day as the top scorer.
“We had a few weeks’ training, and playing challenge games, and there is a lot being made of them [the rules] but it is more open, there are more chances for attacking, it is good, and I think it’s working well,” the Coalisland man continued.
“When you have someone like Morgan back in nets – he’s coming up, giving that extra player, and he is maybe creating an overlap for other boys, so luckily I got on the end of some of them and managed to finish them.”
With the two points bagged already, Malachy O’Rourke seems to have made an instant impact on the players, and the feel-good factor that is circulating the county at the minute has also reached the dressing room.
“You only have to look at what Malachy did with Monaghan and then obviously his success with Glen in Maghera,” added the flying half back.
“It’s up to us to push on, listen to him, take his advice, and hopefully benefit from that.”