In a sun splashed Owenbeg on Bank Holiday Monday Desermartin U14s put a on a display of fluent attacking football to win the County Feile Peile na nOg. Despite going 0-3 behind to an ambitious Ballinascreen side after six minutes Desertmartin hit form when Fearghal Bradley opened their account with a goal on the seventh minute. From then until halftime the Saffrons were encamped within the Ballinasreen half. Once Ryan McEhennon and Oran O’Kane got control of midfield and Lachlan Murray from centre-half forward weaving his way through the Screen defence, Desertmartin created chance after chance. While Lachlan was mercurial in everything he did he was ably assisted by Ryan Henry and Conor Murtagh to combine as a potent half-forward trio. Desertmartin scored repeatedly hitting 4-4 without reply to lead by thirteen points at the break. Ballinascreen although outplayed in the opening twenty five minutes got a new lease of life in the second. While L Murray opened with a point for Desertmartin the Screen hit back with a goal. This was followed by three Desertmartin points before the Screen showed the form that made them worthy finalists. Discarding the task ahead the Screen went about the business of cutting the deficit. Scoring 2-4 by the fortieth minute they cut Desertmartin’s lead to eight. It was then that we saw the best of Desertmartin’s defence. With Simon Matterson working hard at full-back and sturdy play from Conor Shiels at centre-half the Saffrons weathered the storm. Regrouping St Martin’s had a period of pressure on the Screen defence. But wayward shooting and over-elaborate passing in the front of goal cost them scores. Screen finished the stronger scoring two further points but Desertmartin eased home winning 4-9 to 2-9.
Desertmartin scorers: L Murray (1-4, 1f); F Bradley (1-1, 1f); C Murtagh (0-2); R McElhennon (0-1) and R Henry (0-1)
Desertmartin now proceed to the All Ireland Feile Peile na nOg series being held in Clones on June 23rd – 25th. We wish them all the very best.