Under 14 Championship Final Report

Desertmartin 3-7 Ballymaguigan 2-8

After two very close under 14 semi-finals last weekend hopes were high of a close and exiting final. Desertmartin and Ballymaguigan had both recorded wins in the two league games between the teams with Ballymaguigan winning at Desertmartin by 4 points and Desertmartin winning the return by 6 points. Those who attended on Saturday were certainly not disappointed.

There was however no signs of the excitement during the early exchanges as Desertmartin threatened to steamroll ballymaguigan in the early stages. Adrian Trainor got them off to the perfect start with a point from a free inside the first minute. Ballymaguigan did have a change a minute later to level the scores but Christopher Spiers was wide with a free. Declan Murray then increased Desertmartins lead with a pointed free in the 4th minute a minute later he got on the end of a great move started off with a strong run from Kyle Bradley he laid the ball of to Adrian Trainor who passed to Declan and he finished the ball to the net.
Desertmartin were well on top at this stage but they weren?t turning this in to scores Declan Murray added another point in the eighth minute and Adrian Trainor pointed a free in the 15th but this was a poor return for the pressure being exerted. Ballymaguigan were showing signs of getting into the game at this stage number 5 and 7 were starting to attack from wing back but the desertmartin defence were holding firm. Declan Murray then increased his tally with another point to move Desertmartin 1-5 to no score in front. Ballymaguigan had to wait to the 19th minute for their first score a point from no 7 after a good move up the left wing and an interchange of passes with Christopher Spiers. Ballymaguigan were enjoying their best spell off the game and Christopher Spiers increased their tally with a pointed free in the 23rd minute. Play was switching from end to end at this stage Adrian Trainor then increased the martin?s lead with a pointed free 5 minutes from the break Thomas Kelly then missed a free for Ballymaguigan with Declan Murray also wide from a free for Desertmartin. Christopher Spiers then completed the scoring for the half with a pointed free.
Half time Desertmartin 1-6 Ballymaguigan 0-3.

With desertmartin now playing with the aid of a slight breeze Ballymaguigan looked to have a mountain to climb. They got off to the best possible start with a pointed free from Christopher Spiers after 2 minutes a minute later he landed another to reduce the gap to 4 points. Ballymaguigan were well on top at this stage numbers 5 and 7 were causing problems up both wings Thomas Kelly and Ryan Ferris were starting to win ball at midfield and Christopher Spiers was causing problems with his direct running. The lead was down to 3 points when Christopher spiers landed his 3rd free in the 7th minute and the comeback was completed a minute later when ballymaguigan?s number 10 finished a sweeping move to the net.

Ballymaguigan were now looking all over the winners and they looked to have confirmed that with a second goal after 12 minutes only for it to be ruled out for a foul on the Desertmartin keeper. Desertmartin were also rocked at this stage when the lost influential midfielder Kyle Bradley with an ankle injury they used this opportunity wisely however by making a number of shrewd switches which eventually paved the way for the win. Dermot McGuigan was introduced and went to corner back were he excelled, Peadar donnelly was introduced and he went to wing forward with Thomas Toner switching from corner back to corner forward and Adrian Trainor switching to midfield. Desertmartin did miss a couple of opportunities to regain the lead but Martin McGuigan and Declan Murray missed from frees. At the other end Ballymaguigan took the lead with ten minutes left with Christopher Spiers hitting his 6th point of the day from a free 2 minutes later the score that really turned game came for Desertmartin when Peadar Donnelly made a run down the wing his shot was deflected and finished in the back of the ballymaguigan net. Adrian Trainor then missed an opportunity to increase the Desertmartin lead from a free and Christopher Spiers reduced the gap to the minimum with another free after 26 minutes. Adrian Trainor was having a major influence on the game at this stage with his direct running causing the ballymaguigan defence problems a bally maguigan defender was penalised for a lift off the ground and Thomas Toner pointed the free for a 2 point lead with 1 minute left. The same player then sealed the win a minute later after winning possession on the wing he rounded his marker and crashed a shot to the back of the net. With the game now in injury time ballymaguigan had to get scores quickly and they were handed a lifeline a long ball into the desertmartin area was fielded by Ryan Ferris he was fouled and the referee had no hesitation pointing to the spot. Up stepped Christopher spires to plant the ball in the net despite a gallant attempt by Desertmartin goalkeeper Darren McGuigan. On the kick out the referee blew the final whistle and the Desertmartin celebrations began. In such an exciting game there were no losers, as both teams deserve great credit for a great contest. For ballymaguigan the half back line of Ryan Flanagan, number 5 and 7 played well in midfield Thomas Kelly, and Ryan Ferris had a great battle with their Desertmartin counterparts up front Christopher Spiers with 1-7 was the best forward on view. For desertmartin Darren McGuigans intelligent kick outs meant that more often than not they won their own kick outs, Dermot Mcguigan played well at corner back when introduced with Connor Murray very sound at full back. Brendan Higgins had a fine game at wing back at midfield Kyle Bradley had a great game able supported by Martin McGuigan up front Adrain Trainor and Declan Murray got the bulk of the scores but they had good support from Thomas Toner, Nuala Brown, Peadar Donnelly and Dermot Breen

Teams Desertamrtin

Darren McGuigan, Michael Gribben, Connor Murray, Thomas Toner (1-1), Brendan Higgins, Martin Breen, Eamon Burns, Kyle Bradley, Martin McGuigan, Mark Kidd, Declan Murray 1-3, Nuala Brown, Dermot Breen, Adrain Trainor (0-3), Owen McGuigan, Subs Dermot McGuigan for Kyle Bradley, Peadar Donnelly (1-0) for Owen McGuigan