Game 1
Senior Football Result: Ulster Intermediate League Desertmartin 2 – 10 Derrynoose 1 – 7
Despite the difficult playing conditions both teams served up a lively entertaining game in this the opening match of the Ulster League. Following a bright start from Derrynoose who hit 1 – 1 in the opening minutes the home side settled down and dominated possession for most of the first half. While having overall control Desertmartin only led by the smallest of margins going into the break 0-7 to 1-3 ahead. On resumption of play Oran Kelly and Stephen Trainor hit two quick goals giving St Martin’s a commanding seven point lead. Derrynoose unwilling to accept early defeat replied strongly cutting the deficit to four points with five minutes to play. Desertmartin rallied in the closing minutes, scoring two further points to win by six. Good play throughout from Eamon Burns; the McGovern brothers, Greg and Paul; Conor Monaghan; F Higgins; Aidy McGuigan and Johnny McGovern helped Desertmartin to a well deserved win.
Desertmartin team:- B McElhennon; E O’Kane; C Monaghan; D Burns; P McGovern; M Breen; G McGovern (0-3); E Hegarty; J McGovern; R McGuckin; A McGuigan (0-1); E Burns (0-3); S Trainor(1-0); F Higgins; O Kelly (1-1)
Subs:- D Murray (0-2) for M Breen; P Kidd for E Burns; S O;Neill for D Burns; P McCrystal for R McGuckin and R McGuckin for S Trainor
Game 2
Senior Football result: Ulster Int. League Desertmartin 0 – 5 All Saints Ballymena 1 – 10
Desertmartin played host to All Saints Ballymena in their second game of the Ulster Int. League on Thursday 11th February. Played under ideal weather conditions the home side encountered a very fit, fast moving Ballymena team who were intent on establishing their authority early in the game. Running relentlessly into the heart of the Desertmartin defence
they ran up a four point lead at the end of the first quarter. Desertmartin then began to win possession between the two 45s and pushing forward exerted some pressure on the Antrim men. They opened their account in the 18th minute with a point from Johnny McGovern followed quickly with a second from Martin Breen. All Saints scored another point to lead at the break 0 – 5 to 0 – 2.
Desertmartin began the second half brightly with a quick point from Aidy McGuigan. Ballymena added another point before Declan Murray replied with a pointed free for St Martin’s. During the following fifteen minutes Ballymena scored 1 – 3 without reply to put the result beyond doubt. Declan Murray pointed another free before Ballymena concluded the scoring with a final point to run out eight point winners.
Desertmartin worked hard throughout the game and had good performances from corner back Paul McCrystal; Greg and Paul McGovern at half -back and Oran Kelly at full-forward.
Desertmartin team: C Scullion; C Burns, C Monaghan, P McCrystal; P McGovern, M Breen(0-1), C Madden; F Higgins, J McGovern (0-1); Declan Murray (0-2), G McGovern, E O’Kane; Donal Murray, O Kelly A McGuigan(0-1). Subs: C Murray for J McGovern; R McGuckin for Donal Murray; S O’Neill for M Breen
Game 3
Senior football result. Ulster Int. League Desertmartin 1 – 8 Ballymaguigan 0 – 13
Desertmartin and Ballymaguigan clashed in the third round of the Ulster Int. League at Longfield on Sunday 21st February. In a highly competive environment both sides gave their all before the Loughshore men edged out the home side by two points.
Ballymaguigan aided by a soft breeze dominated the first half having fifteen attempts at scoring, registering nine points. The visitors played enthusiastically and with excellent support play from their half -backs pinned the homeside within their own half for most of the opening thirty minutes. Sean Brady influential throughout, split the uprights on four occasions during the first period. Refusing to be overwhelmed Desertmartin fought back manfully with three good points, two from Declan Murray and one from Aidy McGuigan leaving Ballymaguigan one point ahead after twenty minutes of play. Then followed the score of the first-half. Greg McGovern won possession on the right wing, surged forward splitting the Ballymaguigan defence slipped the ball to Stephen Trainor who netted from 13m. Undaunted by the locals revival the Quiggan finished the half strongly scoring four more points to lead at the break by three.
The second half saw a much more energised Desertmartin. Determined in the tackle, quick to the breaking ball the Yellows brought the game to the visitors. On top in the early stages Desertmartin with points from Paul McGovern and Eunan O’Kane cut the deficit to one. Ballymaguigan regained their composure and moved further ahead with two points from Sean Brady and one from Fergal Johnson. The final few minutes was all Desermartin with Declan Murray, Paul McGovern and A McGuigan adding three further points leaving only one between the sides. S Brady concluded the scoring with a pointed free allowing the visitors a two point win.
Best for Desertmartin were C Scullion; C Monaghan; A McGuigan and the McGovern brothers.
Desertmartin team: C Scullion; S O’Neill, C Monaghan, C Burns; P McGovern (0-2), E Hegarty, P McCrystal; M Breen, A McGuigan(0-2); E O’Kane(0-1), D Murray(0-3,1f) , G McGovern; S Trainor(1-0), F Higgins, R McGuckin. Subs: Donal Murray for F Higgins, J McGovern for R McGuckin
Game 4
Senior football: Stewartstown 2 -16 Desertmartin 1-10
Desertmartin travelled to Stewartstown on Thursday night February 25th for their final game in the Ulster Int. League. On a fine crisp February evening in the vast Stewartstown pitch the home side excelled in the opening half. Utilising the wide expanse of their own field the Harps lead 0 -11 to 0 – 4 at half time Although Desermartin found the home side difficult to contain in the first thirty minutes they were well served by their hard working full-back line. The second half was a more balanced contest. Despite conceding early scores Desertmartin settled down and began to win more possession around mid-field. Good play from Aidy McGuigan, Paul McGovern and Martin Breen saw the Saffrons push for scores, hitting 1 – 6 in the second period. Stewartstown who gave a fine display of open attacking football throughout notched 2- 6 after the interval to run out nine point winners.
Desertmartin team: C Scullion; C Burns, C Murray, P McCrystal; P McGovern, P Kidd, C Madden; M Breen, O Hegarty; G McGovern, A McGuigan, E O’Kane; D Burns, Declan Murray, S Trainor.
Subs used: R Devlin, Ryan McGuckin, Ronan McGuckin, F Higgins and S O’Neill