Desertmartin prove too good for debutants, Sarsfield’s

Ulster LGFA Juior Club quarter-final

Sarsfields 0-6 Desertmartin 2-10

Report and Photographs: Liam MacAlasdair

Sarsfield’s played hosts to Desertmarin in the Ulster LGFA Junior Quarter-Final at the Bear Pit on Saturday afternoon.

In almost perfect conditions with the sun shining down on the Stewartstown Road venue, Sarsfields made their bow in Ulster for the first time where they hosted a strong Derry champions.

A huge crowd turned up in support of both teams with plenty of noise and colour for what promised to be a great game.

The occasion was set for a fantastic day with Sarsfields running everything to clockwork precision and the pitch looked in perfect conditions as referee Ciara Gilroy from Co. Down got the action underway.

Unfortunately for Sarsfields, the ‘Martins’ were dominant from the start with Kate McCann opening the scoring.

Sarsfields then conceeded an early goal to move the visitors into a 1-1 to 0-0 lead and this was a lead Desertmartin would hold for the remainder of the game. Setting an early trap and exposing the Sarsfields defence with Eve Kelly shaking the net to give the Sarsfield keeper no chance.

Sarsfields tried hard to get back into the game but dropped a number of shots short while guilty of kicking a number of wides.

Desertmatin added three points through Aislinn Mc Elhennon who was a handful all day and always a threat from play and from the placed ball, which were well taken, even from tight angles.

Sarsfields never got going in the first half constantly giving away possession and there was a nervousness from a young Sarsfields side as they struggled to produce the form that had taken them to a first Antrim title, two weeks earlier.

The hosts did hit hit two points in the first half from Laura Mc Kernan, but another goal from Desertmartin Full forward Lisa Mc Guigan who finished from close after a great save from theSarsfields keeper fell invitingly into her path.

Half Time Desertmartin 2-4 – Sarsfields 0-2

The big Sarsfields support, even with the score against them, still enjoyed the sunshine and half time games by the young cailini óga from both teams who got a chance to showcase their skills during the interval added great colour to the day.

The second half started with a bang and Sarsfields finally started putting pressure on the Martins, pressing hard from the start and winning a free which Orla McNulty fired confidently between the posts.

From the kick out Sarsfields attacked again and worked a great score from Dúana Coleman. Sarsfields were now winning more possession and playing like a different team and added a point through Niamh McGonigle following a well-structured build up.

The home crowd were now in fine voice as they got behind the young Paddies in hope that they could continue to close the gap but the visitors closed shop with Cara Donnelly their captain playing a leaders role.

The visitors slowly regained their grip on the game with 2 points from Aislinn McElhennon firing over two points from frees once again stretching the lead.

Kate McCann added two further points as the Derry champions continued to stretch their lead and was a constant threat to the home side.

Sarsfields had no option but to go for goals at this stage which they did and were very unfortunate not to get one when young substitute Chloe McGurk collected a breaking ball to go past the defence and goal keeper only for her shot to be blocked on the line.

Sarsfields followed up with a point from Laura Mc Kernan, her third of the day but they then conceded a breach with the visitors converting an easy free from the 14 which was disputed but made no real difference to the result.

Sarsfields will reflect on a game that got away from them where their inexperience at this level cost them dearly and will feel that on another day they could have put in a better display.

However Desertmartin were very strong and never took their foot of the pedal.

Their Captain Cara Donnelly was outstanding for the whole game and Player of the match closely followed by Anna Henry at 11 with Mc Elhernnon contributing handsomely with 0-7, (6) from frees and Katie Mc Cann a danger throughout the game.

The Desertmartin defence were very strong with Grance Kelly and Leah McGovern very good and cutting out a lot of attacks.

The Derry champions on this display look like a team who can give Ulster a real lash while Sarsfields best were captain, Laura Brady with Aoife Crothers & sister Niamh both outstanding and Aimee Ferris making a lot of runs from defence.

Dunna Coleman never gave up with Carla Mc Kenna also working hard under pressure to get the Paddies back into the game while Darcy Ward & Leah Mc Gonigle gave it everything in a tough midfield battle. Laura Mc Kernan was the best in attack and contributed 3 points.