Tuesday night saw us play host to Moneymore in the local derby. As with most derby matches these are keenly contested, most times with a sharp not entirely legal physical edge to them.
This game however was one of the cleanest derby matches in recent history, with only a few bone-crunching challenges. Desertmartin fielding yet another changed side, due to yet more injuries, where hoping to build on their championship victory against Steelstown and actually win their second consecutive match.
The game started at a medium pace and in truth rarely got of this pace for the whole game. The main talking point off the first half was a light scuffle, which broke out between Ciaran Higgins Snr. and Paudie O’Neill in which both men raised their handbags. The referee calmed the pair down and after a wrist slapping sent them on their way.
Points where exchanged between the two sides, until what was probably the worst challenge off the night, which at best could be called cynical, on Enda McGuckin. That enabled Desertmartin to edge appoint in front. From there the Martins went clear by three points, until Moneymore hit back with a further two to reduce the deficit to the minimum at half time.
The second half saw Moneymore start the brightest and really they dominated proceedings. They opened a two point lead, which they kept until the last 5 minutes, when what can only be described as a exquisite point by Brian ‘Beano’ McElhennon tied the teams with two minutes to go. Then on a rare jaunt up field from corner back Owen Hegarty scored a valuable fisted point to give the Martins their first home victory off the season.
This victory by a score line of 0-11 to 0-10 gives the Martins a huge lift in that it was their second consecutive victory plus another valuable two league points, but it also lifts them of bottom spot in the league. Hopefully they will be able to further build on this with an away win against a good Drumsurn team. Good luck on Sunday lads.