Glentoran in town to open new ground
Thursday, 3 July 2008
Captains David Junkin (Desertmartin) and Paul Leaman (Glentoran) pictured at Desertmartin Football Club on Saturday with officials Ian McCullagh, Sam Campbell and Raymond Bigger.
DESERTMARTIN Football Club officially opened their new football complex at Dromore Park, Desertmartin, on Saturday last, with a friendly against Irish Premiership side Glentoran.
The Glens paid Desertmartin the respect the occasion warranted by sending along a 22 man first team squad.
Before a crowd of over 400 the Desert gave a good account of themselves holding the Glens to one goal at the interval courtesy of Michael Halliday.
After the interval Desertmartin Manager Chris Peacock, made several changes but this could not prevent Kyle Neil from adding two more goals to give Glentoran an expected by now an easy victory.
After the match Paul Leeman, Glentoran Captain, said Desertmartin provided a good workout for his side for the forthcoming European matches.
Before the kick off the Dromore Park complex was officially opened by the Club President, Mr Harry Loane. The Club Secretary, Norman Caskey, paid tribute to the late Ernie Campbell for reforming the club back in 1996. Ernie identified that young men around the village had little to do so he went out, bought a football strip and ball and got the team going. It was always Ernie's desire to have a pitch in or around the village of Desertmartin, unfortunately a suitable facility was not found before Ernie passed away.
In 2005, an approach was made to Desertmartin Parish Church by the Football Club Committee to lease a field in Dromore Road. A 25 year lease was agreed but an application to Magherafelt Council to develop it was refused. However, the Football Club Committee were not deterred by this setback. They went ahead with the development.
