Profile

A product of the famous Wigan St Patricks club, Martin first came to the attention of the Oldham fans, when as an eleventh hour Warrington replacement for Paul Bishop, in the 1990 Challenge Cup semi final, he scored the equalising try (from a blatant forward pass) that signalled the beginning of the end for the “Roughyed’s” Wembley ambitions.

He later joined Wigan and came to Oldham in the 1993-94 season, as the club recruited quality players in order to survive in the top flight. Survive they did and, with the help of some inspired performances by this talented scrum half, are now established in “Super League”. Martin’s contribution to this situation can not be underestimated. Since becoming captain of the team from 1994-95, he has turned in some exceptional displays, with his eye for an opening and well timed distribution providing the springboard for the modest but vital Oldham success of recent seasons.

He was selected (through parentage) for Ireland in the “Emerging Nations” World Cup of 1995, but, I imagine, took more satisfaction from his inclusion in the British “nines” squad for the international tournament in Australia early in 1997.