Desertmartin start as underdogs against
Dsertmartin v Donaghmoyne(Monaghan) at Gratten Park Inniskeen 3-30pm Sunday.
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.
Desertmarin 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.