Club Notes 3rd May 2010

Lotto

25/4/10: No Jackpot winner £50 winner Amy O’Connor Cullion Road

25/4/10: No Jackpot winner £50 winner Paddy Grant Iniscarn Road

Next week £1600.

We apologise for any inconvenience in postponing games last week and thank all who helped make the Mission a success.

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)

CONDOLENCES
We offer our condolences to the Kelly and Higgins families for their recent bereavement.

Football
Intermediate Championship Desertmartin 1,6 Castledawson 1,11
Everyone had Desertmartin written off for this game before the season started and with an ever increasing injury list even the most ardent St Martin supporters were starting to agree. Castledawson with the wind in the first half started at a blistering pase and ran into an early lead 1,3 to no score. Desertmartin rallied with the next three points (Ruairi Murray pt, Jimmy McElhennon free, Enda McGuckin pt). Castledawson replied with a point when a long ball was pumped into the square and bounced over the bar. With nearly the last move of the half Paddy Kidd took a quick free and found Cormac McGuckin in space. His direct running allowed Ruairi to slop his marker and on receiving the ball he slammed it in the net to leave one between the sides 1,4 to 1,3 and all to play for. Desertmartin had lost John Paul Higgins half way through the half. Paul McFlynn moved to midfield, Connor Monaghan came out from corner to half back and Declan Connery slotted into Connors place.
With the wind in their backs, St Martins started off confidently and levelled the scores in the third minute with a free from Enda McGuckin for a foul on Ruairi but from then on they had trouble getting any clean ball in the midfield and that lack of possession resulted in immense pressure on the backs with six points in the next 10 minutes, five from frees before Desertmartin were to score again, a free from Jimmy. Paul McGovern had been replaced by Declan Murray and Paul McFlynn, after shifting a heavy tackle was replaced by Johnny Trainor. Both teams added a point each as the game closed out (Declan Murray) with the final score 1,6 to 1,11.
This was the first heavy hitter that Desertmartin played this season and while the result was a disappointment, the spirit and determination of this display showed they are capable of greater things. The extent of injuries on the senior panel would cause difficulties for any team and the playing time that these young players have earned will stand by them as the league proceeds. With Drum to look forward to next Sunday 6.00 and 7.30 all will be to play for. Team; Brian McElhennon, Connor Monaghan, Patrick McCann, Shane O’Neill, Eoin Hegarty, Patrick Kidd, Paul McFlynn (Johnny Trainor 55min), John Paul Higgins (Declan Connery 17min), Ryan Kidd, Cormac McGuckin, Jimmy McElhennon (2f), Paul McGovern (Declan Murray 39min (1pt), Ruairi Murray(1,1), Gerard Murray, Enda McGuckin(1pt,1f)

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.

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 Steelstown 1,5 Desertmartin 0,6
Next game home to Claudy 10th May 7.00

U 16 Steelstown v Desertmartin v Thursday 06/05/10 at 7.15

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 Murray and Michael Shaw kept the ball in the Ogramor half, Curtis showed lethal finishing adding four goals and a point by the tenth minute. Eunan 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. Next game at home to Lissan 11/05/10 at 7.00.

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
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 Salsa classes on Tuesday, contact Chris Trainor. Irish Dancing Friday 5.00 beginners, 6.00 advanced. Senior training Wednesday 7.30/ Friday 7.30.
U12/ U14 training Tuesday and 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 Feile**

Volunteer Information
Field maintenance has commenced. If you are interested in assisting please contact Michael on 07740411471. 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.

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