Desertmartin 4-12 Greenlough 2-8
About 3 weeks ago these two teams met in a league game with the result
in doubt right up until the final whistle, Desertmartin scraping home
by 2 points. On Tuesday night the teams met again in the preliminary
round of the Under 16 B championship. With a strong breeze blowing
straight down the pitch it was always going to be difficult for the
team playing into the breeze in each half.
Greenlough had first use of the breeze but it was Desertmartin who
started brightest a long ball from Enda O’Hagan was punched towards
goal by Ciaran Burns, Greenlough failed to deal with the ball in the
square and Sean McStravock was on hand to dispatch to the net.
Greenlough were rocked by this and could have conceded more scores
during this period but they managed to repel the Desertmartin attacks.
Eventually they opened their account when Robert McAllister scored a
brilliant long-range point. Greenlough were starting to get on top
around midfield at this stage and they punished Desertmartin for some
sloppy defending when a 50 finished in the back of the Desertmartin
net. This lifted the Greenlough players and the added two further
points before their corner forward rounded his marker and planted his
shot to the back of the net after a poor clearance from the
Desertmartin keeper. Enda O’Hagan did reply with a pointed free for
Desertmartin but Greenlough continued to dominate play in the middle
third of the field. They made this dominance count with some great
long-range points. With 5 minutes of the half remaining they led by 2-8
to 1-1 and Desertmartin looked to have a mountain to climb. Another
pointed free from Enda O’Hagan reduced the lead to 9 points and just
before the half ended Desertmartin were awarded a penalty after Sean
McStravock was held in the area. Up stepped Cathal Brown to fire to the
corner of the net. This score gave Deseretmartin a huge lift and the
finished the half on top despite trailing by 2-8 to 2-2
Desertmartin
with the aid of the strong breeze in the second half began brightly and
Enda O’Hagan gave them a great start with a point from play. A minute
later Ferghal Higgins made a great run up the right hand side cut
inside his marker and fire to the roof of the Greenlough net another
Enda O’Hagan point followed. Desertmartin were totally on top at this
stage another strong run from Ferghal Higgins saw him close in on goal
again this time he was fouled as he was about to shoot the referee had
no hesitation an awarding another penalty. Up stepped Cathal Brown
again this time his shot rebounded of the crossbar, however following
up he fired the rebound just over the bar. That point completed the
come back and Paul McGovern gave Desertmartin the lead with another
point Enda O’Hagan increased the lead to two points. There then came a
barren period Greenlough tried hard to get back into the game but the
found the Desertmartin defence hard to break down and scorned a number
of scoring chances. At the other end Desertmartin were still creating
chances but hit a number of bad wides. Enda O’Hagan then settled the
Desertmartin nerves with another point and Cathal Brown added to the
lead with a point. Ferghal Higgins then had the score of the game after
being put in by Enda O’Hagans pass Ferghal ran 30 yards before expertly
fisting over the bar from 14 yards out. An Enda O’Hagan fifty then
rebounded of the post but Paul McGovern following up fielded and fired
to the top corner of the net That score sealed the win for Desertmartin
and 2 more points from Enda O’Hagan completed a disappointing night for
Greenlough.
Best for Desertmartin were Barry O’Hagan, Paddy O’Neill and
Mark Murchan in defence Cathal Brown and Paul McGovern enjoyed almost
total Dominance in Midfield during the second half whilst up Front Enda
O’Hagan, Ciaran Burns, Paul McGovern, Paul Kidd and Sean McStravock all
performed well Man Of The Match However was Ferghal Higgins whose
strong direct running caused Greenlough problems throughout.
Team and scorers
1. C Bradley
2. B O’Hagan
3. P O’Neill
4. D Connery
5. G Walker
6. M Murchan
7 D Murray
8 C Brown
9 P McFlynn
10 F Higgins
11 E O’Hagan
12 C Burns
13 S McStravock
14 P Kidd
15 P McGovern
16 D McFlynn
17 T Toner
18 B
Higgins
19 P McGuigan
subs B Higgins for D Connery, P McGuigan for S McStravock
Scorers E O’Hagan 0-7, C Brown 1-2, P McGovern 1-2, F Higgins 1-1, S
McStravock 1-0
Referee C McCormick (Swatragh)