Liam Cunningham

HARD FOUGHT DERBY WIN FOR GLASDRUMMAN AGAINST BALLYMARTIN

Glasdrumman 3-6 Ballymartin 0-9

There was a special atmosphere around the Quarter Road on Friday night for this derby game with close neighbours Ballymartin. The teams drew a larger than normal support, knowing the points were important to both teams.

Ballymartin started the stronger and were four points ahead by the seventh minute with Glasdrumman looking somewhat shellshocked. Glasdrumman slowly got themselves back into the game and in the tenth minute Conor Clerkin coolly placed the ball into the corner of the Ballymartin net much to the delight of the Glasdrumman support. However, despite the goal Ballymartin raised their game again and scored a further three points without reply to lead by four points by the twentieth minute. During this spell Ballymartin missed a number of easier scoring chances to allow Glasdrumman to stay in touch. Connaire Harrison scored a point from a free kick in the twenty fourth minute to reduce the gap and James McDowell popped up to score a good point in the final minute of the half to leave the half time score, somewhat fortuitously for Glasdrumman, Glasdrumman 1-2 Ballymartin 0-7.

Glasdrumman came out for the second half determined to turn this game around, however Ballymartin scored the first point of the half in the thirty sixth minute to increase their lead again to three points. Sean McDowell powered over a point in reply two minutes later but again Ballymartin replied with a point in the thirty ninth minute to stay three ahead. Glasdrumman replied again almost immediately with a well taken point from Gary McGreevy to keep in touch. This score appeared to lift the Glasdrumman team and points apiece from Connaire Harrison, free kick, and Raymond Clarke brought the game level again after fifty three minutes. Glasdrumman most definitely had the upper hand at this stage and they were rewarded with a goal from the boot of Raymond Magorrian to put three points between the teams with four minutes remaining. Ballymartin came back trying to reduce the deficit but despite being awarded a number of free kicks within scoring distance they were unable to take advantage of any of their chances. It was left for Glasdrumman to complete the scoring with a well taken fisted goal from Declan Grant in the last minute of injury time to leave the final score Glasdrumman 3-6 Ballymartin 0-9.

Again this may not have been the prettiest victory but it was achieved with heart and passion from the whole team. Ronan McDowell was strong in goals, commanded his square well and was never really troubled. The full back line of Daniel McCartan, Martin O’Neill and Colm Carr played doggedly throughout. The half back line of Art McCartan, Brian Burns and Christopher McDowell worked hard throughout making it hard for the Ballymartin fowards in the second half. Midfielders Declan Grant and Sean McDowell won a lot of ball in the middle of the field, pushing the team forward in the second half. The half forward line of Gary McGreevy, Raymond Clarke and Raymond Magorrian kept Ballymartin's half back line busy in the second half, getting important scores at vital times of the game. The full forward line of Conor Clerkin, James McDowell and Connaire Harrison showed a lot of determination and took their scores well at important times of the game. Substitutes Pat Mallon and Sean McVeigh also played their part when called upon, showing the same determination and drive as the rest of their team mates. Well done to the Glasdrumman squad for turning this game around to earn an important two points, finishing the league season with three home wins in a row. Best wishes to Darren Maginnes of Ballymartin for a speedy recovery from his serious injury picked up in this game.

Glasdrumman : Ronan McDowell, Daniel McCartan, Martin O'Neill, Colm Carr, Art McCartan , Brian Burns, Christopher McDowell, Declan Grant (1-0), Sean McDowell, (0-1), Gary McGreevy (0-1), Raymond Clarke (0-1), Raymond Magorrian (1-0), Conor Clerkin (1-0), James McDowell (0-1), Connaire Harrison (0-2).
Subs used : Pat Mallon for Conor Clerkin, Sean McVeigh for Art McCartan
Subs not used : John McAteer, Sean Cunningham, Shaun Brennan.