Desertmartin history makers defeat Greenlough to lift Intermediate title

Desertmartin 0-17, Greenlough 1-11

Desertmartin were crowned Derry Intermediate football champions for the first time in their history as Ryan McEldowney proved the inspiration for Sunday's historic victory over Greenlough at Find Insurance Celtic Park.

Midfielder McEldowney hit 0-7 in a superb individual display, but all over the pitch there were heroes in yellow shirts as Sean Brady's team finally secured a trophy which has eluded The Martins in five previous final appearances.

It's difficult to know what damage five lost finals can have on a club, it's not something quantifiable. Well, not until Sunday that is because those five lost finals added up to one determined Desertmartin squad who refused to become prisoners to history and put in an excellent display.

Much of the credit for that has to go to the astute Brady. The Ballymaguigan native has forged a remarkable team spirt and belief within a talented squad which proved itself the best in the county and earned the right to compete in the senior championship next season. This just five years on from lifting the county Junior title.

Derry forward Lachlan Murray demands much of the attention and The Martin's county star usually deserves the accolades but this Desertmartin side is anything but a one man team and on Sunday it was another player who has given Ciaran Meenagh food for thought that stole the show.

McEldowney was the driving heartbeat of a Martin's victory built on a superb opening half which limited favourites Greenlough to just two scores, one of which was Brian McCallion's late goal which made the half-time score closer than it probably should have been at 0-7 to 1-01.

Second half Greenlough improved considerably with county star Niall Loughlin instrumental but two points was as close as they got to clawing back that half-time deficit. Eunan McElhennon was another impressive performer in yellow in fine form and his running power proved crucial in the second half alongside that of McEldowney and Murray.

But pushing McElowney close for the 'Man of the Match' honours was keeper Gerard Fullen whose kicking was top drawer all afternoon and ensured Desertmartin had enough possession to manage a much more even second period.

With a swirling wind that wasn't particularly aiding either side, Desertmartin settled quickest in the final with McEldowney grabbing three of his side's opening four points as Brady's team raced into a 0-5 to no score lead.

The Martin's were winning the kick-out battle and it handed them sufficient possession to dictate proceedings in an opening half in which McCallion's 29th minute goal was only Greenlough's second score. Despite that poor return, which included six first half wides - three of which were two point efforts - McCallion's major ensured his team were only three points adrift at 1-01 to 0-7 when referee Thomas Devlin whistled for the break.

Alongside McEldowney's three scores points from Ryan Henry and Murray were already on the scoreboard by the time Luke Grant finally got Greenlough's opener, though Cillian Moore had also watched a fierce effort come back off the Desertmartin crossbar.

A Joe Connery free and another beautiful McEldowney run and score took Desertmartin out to 0-7 to 0-1 but there would be a late twist in the half as Niall Loughlin placed Conor Mullan whose shot was saved by Fullen. Unfortunately for the Desertmartin No. 1, McCallion was following up and tapped the ball into the empty net to cut the Martin's lead to three at the break.

The second half stated with a Seiorse Lagan point but just as they would throughout the second period, Desertmartin found a response when they needed to, this time through another Connery free.

Seconds later when Niall Mackle's point left it 1-3 to 0-8 Desertmartin responded through another Connery free before Murray's lovely two pointer took their lead out to five at 0-11 to 1-03. And when scores from Lagan, Loughlin (f) and Grant shifted Greenlough to within two once more at 1-07 to 0-12 on 48th minutes, McEldowney stepped forward to strike his team's second two pointer of the half. It was a big moment.

Both teams had goal chances, Desertmartin sub Gavin McGreevey seeking his effort blocked by McCallion while Moore even had the chance to put his team in front in injury time when they trailed 1-11 to 0-16 but, not for the first time, The Martin's defence stood firm.

Indeed it was fitting that the final of a historic victory say fell to Desertmartin's No. 9. When all else were looking at their watches, McEldowney was looking forward and his lovely point confirmed Desertmartin are Derry Intermediate football champions!

Greenlough scorers: Brian McCallion 1-0, Luke Grant 0-2, Seoirse Lagan 0-2, Niall Mackle 0-1, Niall Loughlin 0-4 (2f), Stephen Bradley 0-1

Desertmartin scorers: Ryan McEldowney 0-7 (1tp), Ryan Henry 0-1, Lachlan Murray 0-4 (1tp), Joe Connery 0-3 (3f), Conor Murtagh 0-1, Eunan McElhennon 0-1.

Greenlough: Brian Henry, Jude Moore, Conal McErlean, Paul Quinn, Luke Grant, Christopher Kearney, Caomhan McNally, Brian McCallion, Niall Loughlin, Gabriel Moore, Shea Birt, Cillian Moore, Niall Mackle, Conor Mullan, Seoirse Lagan. (Subs) Cathair Kearney for G Moore, 44mins; Stephen Bradley for N Mackle, 52mins.

Desertmartin: Gerard Fullen, Conor Martin, Dylan Ormsby, Dermot Breen, Lorcan Bradley, Connor Sheils, Paul McGovern, Marty Breen, Ryan McEdowney, Eunan McElhennon, Ryan Henry, Conor Murtagh, Joe Connery, Lachlan Murray, Rory O'Hagan. (Subs) Gavin McGreevey for J Connery, 56mins.

Referee: Thomas Devlin