Desertmartin 2-9 Ballinasceen 1-7
After their win against Magherafelt on Monday night it was onto Ballinascreen on Thursday night for another league game.
Played throughout in a constant drizzle conditions were difficult for both teams and they deserve credit for putting on a thrilling contest for the spectators. Desertmartin held out in the end for a five point victory and on the balance of play it was no more than they deserved, as on the night missed opportunities could have cost them dearly.
The game did take a while to warm up as both teams struggled to come to terms with the conditions. Eventually after 8 minutes Paul McGovern opened the scoring with a good point, A few minutes later Enda O?Hagan landed a 45 to increase the lead to 2 points Ballinascreen then opened their account with a point. John Hughes then increased the lead to two points again with another point. The team were playing well and creating opportunities but most them were being scorned. Ballinascreen reduced the deficit to a point with their second score, Before Enda McGuckan raced through the Ballinascreen defence and planted the ball to the net Ballinascreen replied with a point before John Hughes brought the half to a close with his second point. Halftime score Ballinascreen 0-3 Desertmartin 1-4.
The second half followed much the same pattern as the first our lads continued to create chances but unfortunately they couldn?t finish them off. Balinascreen opened the scoring in this half with a point but John Hughes replied for Desertmartin. Ballinscreen then had their second point of the half but Desertmartins reply was emphatic when Sean Fullen got on the end of a superb move to hit our second goal when Paul McGovern added a superb point from the right wing to increase the lead to 7 points the writing looked to be on the wall for the home side. But credit to them they refused to throw in the towel and 2 pointed frees reduced the deficit. A few minutes later a goal from Ballinascreen reduced the deficit to only 2 points, however it has to be said the screen player took quite a number of steps before scoring. With about 7 minutes left our lads really dug in and produced a superb finish 2 45?s from Enda and a John Hughes point saw the lads gain a well-deserved victory.
This was the team?s best performance of the season and despite missing chances none of the lads dropped their heads. Our defence were superb throughout with Christopher sound between the sticks, Connor after returning from injury was excellent at full back, Cathal at corner back was again outstanding and he had a great battle against screens best forward the half back line of Paul, Paddy and Ryan were again very sound. At Midfield Cahir and Enda were excellent throughout. Enda McGuckin was brilliant at Centre Half forward and although only scoring a goal he can be pleased with his first outing in the new position. On the wings Paul and Joey played well in different roles. The full forward line of John, Sean Fullen and Paddy all played well John had a great battle with the screen full back and worked hard throughout. Sean looked to be back to something his old form scoring a superb second half goal.
Man Of The Match however was corner back Mattt Connery. Although he was the smallest man on the field his performance of tackling, blocking and winning ball were superb.
1. C Bradley
2. C Brown
3. C Monaghan
4. M Connery
5. P McFlynn
6. P O?Neill
7. R Murray
8. E O?Hagan (0-3)
9. C Madden
10. P McGovern (0-2)
11. E McGuckan (1-0)
12. F Higgins
13. S Fullen (1-0)
14. J Hughes (0-4)
15. P Trainor
Subs;, J Leyden for F Higgins
The next game may be on Tuesday 9th August