Desertmartin start as underdogs against Donaghmoyne in Ulster Intermediate Club Championship quarter-final

FIRST-time Derry Intermediate winners Desertmartin face a trip into the unknown when they take on Monaghan champions Donaghmoyne on Sunday at Inniskeen.

Monaghan intermediate football is always strong so the St. Martin’s will travel as underdogs.

Desertmartin have a few injury worries – among them full forward Lachlan Murray who has missed a few games this season.

In their county final win over Greenlough Murray was battling against a hamstring problem and is not at his potent best.

It was Ryan McEldowney at midfield who ran the show for Sean Brady’s men at Celtic Park when they beat Greenlough.

Donaghmoyne beat Ballybay in the Monaghan final by 0-13 to 1-2 after leading at half time by 0-9 to 1-2.

Niall Keenan, Stephen Finnegan and Aaron Courtney were their star men in that game.

It was their fifth county final appearance in the last ten years for Donaghmoyne.

In the last five years three Derry champions have gone on to win Ulster and reach the All Ireland final.

Glenullin and Ballinderry lost in the last two finals while Steelstown went all the way.

Desertmartin are an improving team with a well balanced mix of youth and experience.

Gerard Fullen is a top class keeper with a pin point kick out. Dylan Ormsby is solid at full back.

Ryan McEldowney has been brilliant at midfield all season and kicked seven points from open play in the final.

Eunan McElhennon is a speedy wing forward. If the inside line of Joe Connery, Lachlan Murray and Rory O’Hagan can get enough quick ball played through then the Derry champions have a good chance of reaching the semi final.

It’s very much a step into the unknown for the Desertmartin team who have endured plenty of heartache in big championship games down the years.

However, the manner of how they annexed the county title will give them great confidence as they make a first foray into provincial action.

Monaghan teams have proved over the years that they are serious opposition at whatever level and the Derry champions will no doubt discover that for themselves this weekend.

But with confidence high, a canny management team on the sidelines and a sprinkling of top class talent, allied to a formidable team ethic, there is no reason why the Martins can not continue the Oak Leaf county’s proud recent record in this competition.

Mixed luck For Derry Teams

Lavey hurlers lost by five points to Antrim Intermediate club hurling champions Cushendun at the Glen Rovers ground Armoy on Saturday.

The Lavey team who never really got going trailed by 0-9 to 0-5 at half time and ended up losing by 1-15 to 0-13.

In honour of recently deceased former star Brendan’Benny’ Ward the number 5 jersey that he wore with distinction was not used.

At Owenbeg also on Saturday the Derry junior champions Swatragh were much too strong for Armagh team Killeavy winning by a massive 5-30 to 0-7.

They are through to the semi-final.