The intermediate team finally bowed out of the championship on Sunday in Ballina, when they were defeated by Belmullet, 1-9 to 1-7, in a second replay. On this occasion Belmullet deserved to win and even though they were reduced to 14 players for most of the second half, their support play was of such a high standard that it looked like they had the extra player.

The games two major turning points came in a five minute period in the first half. Belmullet were awarded a free 40 yards out, and Billy Jo Padden’s kick ended up in the Davitts net. Five minutes later, a terrific six man Davitts move, culminated with Aidan McTigue’s goalbound shot from ten yards being miraculously saved on the line by a defender, after McTigue had rounded the goalkeeper. Belmullet led by 1-5 to 0-4, after playing with the assistance of the stiff breeze in the first half, and the only time they looked like they might be in danger was in injury time in the second half, when Davitts midfielder David McDonagh blasted a twenty metre free kick to the roof of the net, to narrow the gap to two points with two more minutes remaining.

Belmullet managed to survive in a frantic finish with Davitts coming very close to getting the winner on two occasions. Davitts best players were Tommy Nolan, Kevin Gallagher, the superb Colm Boyle, David McDonagh, Colm Roche and Paul Carey.

Davitts team: Brendan Devane, Tommy Nolan, Frankie Barrett, Kevin Gallagher, Johnno Clarke, Colm Boyle, Colm Roche, David McDonagh (1-1), Pat Coyne, Liam Kearns (0-3), Seamus Roche, Keith Prendergast, Fergal McGrath (0-1), Paul Carey (0-1), Aidan McTigue (0-1). Subs used: Shane Mitchell, Carlos O Gara and Martin Cosgrove.

On Saturday, the minor team travelled to Lahardane, and defeated the homeside by 3-6 to 2-5, in the Division 5 league semi final. Manager Ronan Kirrane deserves great credit for lifting his players, after their heartbreaking defeat to Balla in the championship semi final a few weeks earlier. Davitts will now face either Balla or Mayo Gaels in the final. Davitts had stars all over the field in this game but goalie David Mitchell (who saved a second half penalty), Mark Ronayne, Dara Halligan, Michael Waldron, Josh Ronayne, Darren Connolly and team captain David Hyland were particularly outstanding.

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Davitts and Belmullet served up another thrilling contest in the intermediate championship playoff replay at Bonniconlon on Saturday evening. After extra time the two teams were still level, the final scoreline being Davitts 1-18, Belmullet 2-15.

Both sides will probably wonder why they didn’t win, Davitts because they led by seven points 12 minutes into the second half of normal time, and Belmullet because Davitts young freetaker Liam Kearns, equalised with the last kick of both normal time and extra time, showing great bottle with both pressure kicks, to keep his side in the championship race. Davitts controlled the first half and led by 1-7 to 0-4 at the break, with the full forward line of Fergal McGrath, the goalscorer, captain Paul Carey and Aidan McTigue (showing a welcome return to form), giving the Belmullet defence a torrid time.

Davitts were looking in control but Billy Jo Padden’s accurate freetaking was keeping Belmullet afloat. The gap had narrowed to 5 points when a Padden free dropped short and Steven Carolan was first to react to the breaking ball, and he smashed it to the net. Another Padden free followed, and a second Belmullet goal from Chris Barrett amazingly had them 2 points up, with ten minutes remaining. Davitts young side, to their credit, refused to lie down, playing against the wind (and uphill), and two late points from Carey and Kearns tied the match, 1-13 to 2-10.

Extra time was again tit for tat and after another nerve wrecking twenty minutes, it was again left up to Kearns to ensure another chapter in this epic saga, with the last kick of the match. Davitts had many stars but Frankie Barrett, Kevin Gallagher, Johnno Clarke, Michael Ronayne, Martin Cosgrove and Colm Boyle were excellent in defence. Indeed Boyle was yet again in inspirational form and gave another man of the match display, after cancelling a holiday to play this game. David McDonagh and Pat Coyne ensured Davitts shared the midfield exchanges. Carey, McGrath and McTigue, as mentioned earlier, were on fire, with Seamus Roche and Liam Kearns giving excellent support.

Davitts: Brendan Devane, Tommy Nolan, Frankie Barrett, Kevin Gallagher, Johnno Clarke, Colm Boyle, Michael Ronayne, David McDonagh, Pat Coyne, Liam Kearns (0-7), Seamus Roche (0-1), Colm Roche, Fergal McTigue (1-2), Paul Carey (0-5), Aidan McTigue (0-3). Subs used: Martin Cosgrove, Shane Mitchell, Carlos O Gara, Josh Ronayne.

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It has been confirmed that the “powers that be” will not be taking any further action against Davitts selector John A. Noone after his outburst directed at a match official during last weekend’s playoff against Belmullet. Noone (left of photo) was sent to the stand by referee Ronan Gurren following the explosive confrontation with the Linesman midway through the first half. Indeed, Noone showed admirable restraint, when he was heckled by sections of both sets of supporters during his walk of shame.

A special meeting was convened in Castlebar on Tuesday night by the G.I.M.P.S. (Games In Mayo Provisional Subcommittee) to review the incident, in which the match report as well as eyewitness accounts were taken into consideration. “Noone will not face any further disciplinary action”, our source confirmed after the meeting. “If it wasn’t for his tireless work as Chairman of the Cloonrane branch of the Mayo GAA supporters Club I think the punishment would have been considerably more severe.”

This news gives a massive boost to the Davitts backroom staff ahead of the playoff replay (that shouldn’t have gone to replay) which will take place at 4pm on Saturday next (19th Sept) in Bonniconlon. Upon hearing the news of Noone’s availability for sideline duties next weekend, the relief on team manager Liam Nyland’s face was clearly evident. Nyland went so far as to say “I’m relieved. See the look on my face? That’s a look of relief.” Team Captain Pa Carey went one step further, saying – “To have John A available is a massive boost for the team as his tactical awareness is second to no-one. People think that John is all show and no substance, but once you get to know the man behind the bling it’s obvious that there is an immense footballing brain at work there.” At least you’re not wide of the mark this time Pa!

Noone was asked for his reaction after word emerged that he would not face any further sanctions. “It feels good to put this nonsense to bed once and for all. Now I can concentrate on what’s really important – tactics for the replay. The lads (Nyland & Diskin) are counting on me for the masterstroke, and I won’t disappoint. I was climbing the walls for the last few days with worry, but now I can really get down to work.”

Ironically, Noone was also climbing walls after receiving his marching orders last Sunday. That wall in front of the stand is taller than it looks on first inspection, eh John?

TRIVIA FACT: John A. Noone once won a game of “Connect Four” in 3 moves.

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The intermediate team played Belmullet , in the championship playoff, on Sunday in sun drenched Bonnyconlon and both teams will probably be happy to come away with a draw, the final score was Davitts 0-11, Belmullet 1-8. Amazingly, the County Board hadn’t decided that extra time was a requirement in the event of a draw, so both teams will have to play again in Bonnyconlon on Saturday evening next, a most unsatisfactory fixture for all those intending travelling to Croke Park to support the Mayo minor team on Sunday, but maybe an indication as to what value the County Board put to this competition.

This was a very entertaining game, with never more than two points separating the teams, and Davitts finished the game strongly with injury time points by Paul Carey and a massive David McDonagh sideline, from sixty yards, to force the replay, with the last kick of the game.

Davitts captain Paul Carey, who was a real driving force especially when operating around midfield in the second half, had a great chance to win the game, on the stroke of full time, but his penalty kick, after sub Seamus Roche was fouled, went inches wide (many, many inches) of David Padden’s goal. Brendan Devane proved to be an able replacement for the injured Paddy Kirrane in the Davitts goal, and got great protection from the excellent full backline of Tommy Nolan, Frankie Barrett and Kevin Gallagher. Colm Boyle was inspirational at centre half back and his two long range points, off either foot, kept Davitts in touch when Belmullet looked like they were about to take control of the game, midway through the second half.

Johnno Clarke, the evergreen David McDonagh, Pat Coyne, Carey, Liam Kearns and Fergal McGrath, in the last ten minutes, all played superbly to keep Davitts in the championship. Davitts selector John Noone was banished to the stand by referee Ronan Gurren, who had an excellent game, for his over exhuberent questioning of a dubious sideline call fifteen minutes into the game.

Davitts team:

Brendan Devane, Tommy Nolan, Frankie Barrett, Kevin Gallagher, Johnno Clarke (0-1), Colm Boyle (0-2), Derek Mooney, Pat Coyne, David McDonagh (0-1), Liam Kearns (0-1), Paul Carey (0-2), Colm Roche, Fergal McGrath (0-1), Aidan McTigue (0-1), Keith Prendergast (0-2). Subs used: Michael Ronayne and Seamus Roche.

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On Sunday, the intermediate team were well beaten, 1-11 to 1-6, in the championship play off match played in Ballyhaunis. Swinford looking hungrier and sharper, led throughout the game, and would have won by a greater margin but for some very wayward shooting. Davitts will want to forget this game as they prepare for their clash with Belmullet to see who progresses to the quarter final. Best players for Davitts in this game were Frankie Barrett, Kevin Gallagher, Colm Boyle, Johnno Clarke, David McDonagh and Paul Carey.

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Davitts were beaten by Balla, 2-9 to 3-5, in the county minor C championship semi final, in Mayo Abbey on Friday evening. When these two sides met in the league in July, Balla were the victors by 14 points in a one sided game. On this occasion the Davitts lads lost in dramatic and heartbreaking fashion, when Balla scored a goal, with virtually the last kick of the game, to win by a point, in a very tight and hard fought match.

Davitts felt very aggrieved however as the winning goal materialised when Davitts midfielder Josh Ronayne appeared to be fouled when soloing through from midfield, only to be penalised for over carrying by referee Michael Vahey. The Balla players, to their credit, made full use of their good fortune, and rattled in the winning goal seconds later in a last gasp attack.

Davitts had led by 2-2 to 0-5 at half time with impressive forward Clive Hennigan scoring both goals. Balla got on top early in the second half and went into a 1-7 to 2-3 lead, but an opportunistic goal by Tommy Clarke put Davitts in front again, a lead they held until the last seconds.

David Mitchell excelled in the Davitts goals, and got great protection from defenders Tommy Ruddock, Tommy Heneghan, Dara Halligan and Mark Ronayne. Josh Ronayne and Michael Waldron were impressive at midfield. Up front team captain David Hyland, Clive Hennigan, Darren Connolly and Tommy Clarke all worked extremely hard, in a game they hardly deserved to lose. Well done to the Mayo Gaels club for having their pitch in such good shape for this game.

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