Tyrone v Derry, Sunday, 4 pm, Omagh
Tyrone and Derry battle it out in the preliminary round of the Ulster senior football championship on Sunday afternoon at Healy Park in Omagh.
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Tyrone finished third in division 1 behind Mayo and Kerry but Mickey Harte would have pleased with his side’s performances. Derry operated in Division 4 this campaign and they won all 8 games. Damian McErlain will be delighted with that but the Oakleafers face a stiff challenge here going on the evidence of the last three meetings between the sides. Tyrone have easily accounted for Derry in the last three championship games. On average they have beaten their neighbours by 10 points.
Looking at Derry, players such as Chrissy McKaigue, Conor McAtamney, Shane McGuigan, Ryan Bell, and Christopher Bradley will be key. Tyrone will look to Tiernan McCann, Padraig Hampsey and Ronan McNamee in defence. In midfield, Colm Cavanagh could return from injury to start at midfield, while Peter Harte, Niall Sludden and Cathal McShane will be all key players in attack.
Last Five Championship Meetings
2017 Tyrone 0-22 Derry 0-11 (Ulster quarter-final)
2016 Tyrone 3-16 Derry 0-12 (Ulster quarter-final)
2009 Tyrone 0-15 Derry 0-09 (Ulster semi-final)
2006 Derry 1-08 Tyrone 0-05 (Ulster quarter-final)
2004 Tyrone 1-17 Derry 1-6 (Ulster preliminary round)
Team News:
Tyrone: Niall Morgan, Padraig Hampsey, Ronan McNamee, Michael McKernan, Michael Cassidy, Ben McDonnell, Tiernan McCann. Richard Donnelly, Brian Kennedy, Matthew Donnelly, Niall Sludden, Frank Burns, Cathal McShane, Peter Harte, Conor Meyler.
Derry: Thomas Mallon, Sean Quinn, Brendan Rogers, Karl McKaigue, Paul McNeill, Chrissy McKaigue, Niall Keenan, Padraig Cassidy, Conor McAtamney, Emmet Bradley, Enda Lynn, Ciaran McFaul, Shane McGuigan, Ryan Bell, Chris Bradley
Betting
Tyrone are unbackable at 1/10, Derry are 13/2 to cause an upset. Something which going on previous statistics I cant’ see happening. The draw is 14/1. Peter Harte to score a goal anytime is 9/4 and that looks a good bet to me in a game where I see goals.
