It was a tough match to the end but Desertmartin went down fighting to a strong Ballinscreen side.
Larkin Cup Semi Final
Saturday, 26 March 2005
Within the first 10 minutes, Ballinscreen had notched up 1-3 to 0-0 and were all over the Martins. Eamon Burns for the Draperstown men looked strong in a centre forward position laying off good ball to the inside line. Desertmartin seemed over anxious by the local derby and took 15 minutes into the first half to settle down.
In the last 15 minutes of the first half Desertmartin started to get a foot hold and recorded some good scores through Jimmy McElhennon, Kevin Gormley and Aidan Bradley. Desertmartin started to sniff out the screen?s plan with some good tackling by Michael McCann, James Breen, Paddy Kidd and Adrian Kelly in defensive, breaking down the opposition?s momentum.
Half-time Score Ballinscreen:1-5 Desertmartin:0-3
In the first 15 minutes of the second half Desertmartin played some great football, Rory Murray and Johnny McGovern excelling in the middle of the field and Aidan Bradley and J.P. Higgins getting in some good scores taking the score to 1-8 0-7. With four points between the sides it was tit for tat with 15 minutes on the clock. Desertmartin made three substitutions with Danny Murray, Gerard Murray and Johnny Trainor making an appearance. Two more scores for the Martin?s with no answer form the screen men, taking the sides to 1-8 0-9 leaving two points with 10 minutes to go. Paul Hasson in the middle of the field for the screen was the instigator of some good moves to earn the sperrin men their final score with 4 minutes left on the clock. Desertmartin answered with a final point and wasted some late chances that could have earned them another day at the office, however this wasn?t to be.
Final score Ballinscreen:1-9 Desertmartin:0-10
Desertmartin can hold their heads up with pride against a strong Division 1 team and can look forward to the start of the league. With Foreglen their first game, the martins need to impose there physical presence and record a first victory.
Starting Lineup
1. Liam Bradley
2. Mickey Kelly
3. Adrian Kelly
4. James Breen
5. Mickey McCann
6. Paddy Kidd
7. J.P. Higgins
8. Johnny McGovern
9. Rory Murray
10. Barry McEldowney
11. Kevin Gormley
12. Jimmy McElhennon
13. Aidan Bradley
14. Ryan Kidd
15. Adrian McGuigan
Subs used:
Gerard Murray, Danny Murray, Johnny Trainor