MISSION WEEK
Due to the current MISSION all underage matches have been postponed. We would ask all members to take the chance to get fully involved in the Mission and a few prayers for Sunday v Castledawson wouldn’t go amiss. Please contact your managers to confirm training times.
IRISH COLLECTION
The club wish to thank everyone for their generous contributions to the Irish collection. Please forward names for Gaeltacht bursary to Veronica (07799328966) or Pat (07718257555)
Football
Seniors Desertmartin 0,11 Moneymore 1,14
For the second time in a row Desertmartin looked dead and buried after the first half, five points adrift and talisman from the last game, Mark Madden joining the ranks of the injured. With 10 minutes to go in the second half they were within two points and had momentum built up. The next two chances went astray and then Moneymore took the advantage. They were awarded a dubious free out on the left and with what has become a trademark of Moneymore, the high ball was lobbed onto the six yard line. Big Christopher Young caused enough trouble and deflected the ball to his compadre square in front of the nets. The resulting lob was perfection and Brian had no chance. With five minutes to go Moneymore added two more points to one for the home team to leave the final score 11 points to 1,14.
With St Martins nearly cleaned out in midfield, Paul McFlynn, just out of minors was drafted in from his usual position wide on the forty but to mark Christopher Young was always going to be a challenge. The game started fairly even and although Desertmartin had the greater chances, Moneymore were the more accurate. They drew first blood with a point in the opening minute. Mark Madden levelled the score, only for Moneymore to hit three more. Brian McElhennon prevented a rout with a point blank save. Desertmartin pulled back two points (John Paul Higgins free, Declan Murray from play) to leave one between them by the seventeenth minute. Moneymore again piled on the pressure, resulting in three points from play and two from frees. Mark Madden had retired with a possible hamstring injury being replaced by James Breen, having himself been injured in the previous reserve game. The home team rallied with two points (John Paul free, Paul McGovern point) as the first half closed to one from a free for Moneymore to leave the score 0,5 to 0,10.
Desertmartin hit their stride in the second half but again wides from easy scoring chances would tell a tale. They missed four chances before they were to open their second half tally with a free from Jimmy McElhennon. With Cormac McGuckin replacing Paul McGovern, he linked up well with Ruairi in full forward and Moneymore resorted to fouling. Jimmy picked off two more frees before Declan Murray hit another from play. Moneymore knocked over a free of their own to add to an earlier point from play to leave the scores 0,9 to 0,12. Ruairi scored the next from play to leave just two between them but Desertmartin could not close the scores out and hit the next two wide. Gerard Murray had replaced the hard working Michael McCann. Moneymore on one of their few counter attacks in the second half won a dubious free out on the left with five minutes to go. With the ball lobbed high onto the six yard line, Christopher Young finally came off the best and knocked the ball down into friendly hands and the resultant shot was unstoppable, skimming the underside of the cross bar evading Brian’s fingertips. The home team had difficulty breaking out of their own half in the final minutes with Moneymore adding two more points from play to a Jimmy McElhennon free.   Desertmartin seemed to have trouble finding their players, playing in black, against the more familiar yellow, maybe a point that should be addressed in the future. Perhaps Moneymore will invest in an alternative strip.
TEAM: Brian McElhennon, Shane O’Neill, Eoin Hegarty, Eugene Murray, Mark Madden ,1(James Breen 20min), Patrick Kidd, Connor Monaghan, Paul McFlynn 1, John Paul Higgins 2 frees, Michael McCann, (Gerard Murray 51min) Ryan Kidd, Paul McGovern (Cormac McGuckin 39 min), Jimmy McElhennon 4 frees, Ruairi Murray 1, Declan Murray 2. Intermediate Championship on Sunday at Lissan 3.30 v Castledawson after Moneymore and Claudy at 2.00. With Castledawson undefeated and having played a number of the heavy hitters it will be a massive challenge. They have shown they can score goals having picked off seven so far this league. On a more positive point they have also let in five. With Paddy McCann back, the defence should improve but St Martins must improve their scoring ratio to have any chance.
Reserves Desertmartin 1,14 Moneymore 2,6
This was a game of tit-for-tat with half time score 1,5 to 1,4. Desertmartin ran out the stronger in the final quarter with a goal and a point from Cormac McGuckin to add to the goal from Gerard in the first half. While only on the field for just over a half, Johnny Trainor came away with four points. Dermot Bradley ended top gun with five points, two from frees. James Breen opened the score with a point, with young O,Kane closing with the same. Ryan Murray and Damian Burns also scored a point each, with Ryan in the first half and Damian in the second. Strong play from Ciaran Higgins in defence where he was often left two-on-one with Moneymore always seeming to have a man free. Perhaps one to have available on Sunday.
Minors Desertmartin v Doire Colmcille postponed U 16 Desertmartin v Craigbane
U 14 Desertmartin 8,7 Ogramor 2,2
This was a game Desertmartin looked like they were going to run away with two early goals, one each from Michael Shaw and Andy Leyden, who also picked off three points to one from sub, Curtis McLeish. Ogra had picked off an early goal and point but Desertmartin allowed them back into the game with the last score of the first half, a goal to leave three points between them at 2,4 to 2,1. When the second half started Desertmartin showed they meant business and stout work from Hayden and Michael Shaw kept the ball in the Ogramor half, Curtis showed lethal finishing adding four goals and a point by the tenth minute. Unan O’Kane picked off the second goal of the half while Hayden added a point. Michael Shaw converted a penalty. In the final minutes staunch work by the Ogra goal keeper resulted in two point blank saves from Fergal McGuigan, with one deflected for a forty while the second went over the bar.
Ladies Football
We will be fielding an under 16 and senior Ladies team, with the under 14s amalgamating with a local team to play in the Feile. Any further interest, please contact Anne Matterson 07732351672.
Hall/ field agenda.
Please contact all managers as times may change due to the Mission U8 s and 10s Fundamentals Saturday 10/11 P1 to P4. Contact Liam Bradley 028 79301644 07831739474. Ladies training on Monday 6.15/7.30 Thursday 6.15/7.30. Junior Ladies training Wednesday 6.15/7.30, Saturday 11.00/1.00 Contact Anne Matterson to confirm.
Salsa dancing on Tuesday night Beginners welcome. Contact Chris Trainor Keep fit Thursday 4th at 7.00. £2.50/ session or £20.00/ 12 sessions. Slievegallion Women’s Group Irish Dancing Friday 5.00 beginners, 6.00 advanced. Senior training Wednesday 7.30/ Friday 7.30. U12/ U14 training Friday 630 at Longfield.
U16 training Tuesday 6.30 Hollow Park. Minor training Friday 7.30. All hall bookings or cancellations please contact Brian Smith on 07918703912 or Pat Kidd on 07718257555
Golf Classsic
First prize: Second prize: Third prize: Numerous extra prizes. Contact Gerard 07710802359; Chris 07821832400; Adrian 07793626750. Tee-off times on “first come first served†Card filling up fast.
Important dates to keep free:
** ** Golf Classic 4th June at Killymoon .Four balls still available. ** ** Desertmartin will be host to Gloucestershire on 2nd July for All Ireland Feille**
Volunteer Information
Field maintenance has commenced. If you are interested in assisting please contact Michael on 07740411471.
Two rounds of 4 ball plus overnight stay in City West. One round of 4 ball and overnight stay in Slieve Russel
One round of 4 ball at Ballyliffen
Would you or your company be interested in sponsorship? Field banner/ Score board/ Jerseys, contact Pat or Brian. GAA does not just promote football. All aspects of Gaelic culture should be encouraged and nurtured. To assist the
committee, the Club require a Cultural Officer. If you are Interested in Irish history/ music/ dancing etc, please apply. This position is open to job share due to the variety of role.
Due to deadlines the notices for the paper must be forwarded latest Sunday night to be included. Forward to michaelhegarty@live.co.uk. Or phone 07740411471.