Published Sunday, 15 January 2012
Both teams took some time to find their rhythm and hit several wides in the first half in particular.
Antrim had led by two points, 0-5 to 0-3, at half-time but Mickey Harte's side hit six points without reply, including two from O'Neill, at the start of the second half to lead by four.
The Saffrons then staged a comeback, Conal Kelly, Colm Duffin and Paddy Cunningham sending over points to cut the margin to the minimum at the start of the final quarter.
Tomas McCann had a chance to score the goal that would have put Antrim ahead but Tyrone goalkeeper John Devine came to the rescue with a fine save.
Tyrone went straight up to the other end of the pitch and O'Neill, who had come on as a first half substitute, sent the ball over the bar to make it 0-10 to 0-9.
Cunningham reduced the deficit with another free but O'Neill killed the game off with the only goal of the match two minutes later.
Colm Cavanagh, one of just a handful of regulars in the Tyrone starting line-up, burst through from midfield, fed the ball to Aidan McCrory who found O'Neill in space and he blasted it into the net.
Tyrone will now face a showdown with Fermanagh on Wednesday night in a game whcih will decide which team progresses to the semi-finals.
Power NI Dr McKenna Cup results:
Antrim 0-10 Tyrone 1-12
Fermanagh 2-13 Queens 0-10
Monaghan 0-11 Down 4-12
Armagh 1-18 St Mary's 0-10
Cavan 1-14 Donegal 2-08