Following the recent run of two straight defeats at the hands of Limavady and Slaughtmanus, Sunday past’s game away to Ballerin looked to be heading the same way with the score board reading Ballerin 1.03 Desertmartin 0.00 after 20 minutes.
Even with a number of changes to the starting line up from the side defeated by Slaughtmanus, including first senior starts of the season for Dermot Kelly and Ciaran Higgins, plus the return to action of James Breen, Paddy Kidd and Johnny Trainor it looked as if it was going to be another of those days at the office!
However it was Ballerin’s goal, giving them the six point lead that eventually kicked this Desertmartin team out of the daze they have found themselves in over the past few weeks. The remaining 10 minutes of the first half saw constant pressure on the Ballerin rear guard, and only for some poor finishing Desertmartin should have seen themselves in front at the half way point.
Ballerin 1.03 Desertmartin 0.03
Right from the throw in for the second half, this rejuvenated team were not going to go down like they had in their previous two outings and the bombardment on the Ballerin goal in the first 15 minutes of the second half saw Desertmartin take the lead and open up the gap they deserved in the first half had their shooting not been a bit better. With the score now Ballerin 1.03 Desertmartin 1.10, Ballerin eventually got their first point of the half after almost 20 minutes making the score 1.04 to 1.10 in favour of Desertmartin.
Points a peace in the final 10 minutes saw the game end Ballerin 1-5 Desertmartin 1-11
A special note goes out to Paddy McCann. Wanting to prove that practice does make perfect, and following the theory of “if at once you don’t succeed, try again” Paddy eventually pointed in the second half from his less than perfect (but more perfect than his right) left boot. This following several easy misses in the first half when missing seemed like the harder option. Must be the new boots Paddy!!
On a more serious note its good to see that the summer has finally arrived, the proof being Evident with the appearance of Ciaran Higgins in the Fullback line. Ciarans return strengthen the final line of defense with some of his Traditional ?no nonsense Defending?, pity he was on the receiving end of a Higgy Challenge toward the end of the game (Lets hope he makes a speedy recovery). With such a strong return to the senior Team lets hope this is not Cameo appearance and fingers crossed for a long summer.
This weekend see the visit of Faughanvale, so lets hope the team that played the final 40 minutes turns up on Saturday and not the one which played the first 20 in this game.