Davitts ensured their Division 1B status in the senior league with an impressive 1-11 to 0-10 victory over Garrymore in Ballindine on Saturday. Davitts were the better team all through and had terrific performances from Tommy Nolan, Colm Boyle, Colm Roche, Carlos O Gara, Aidan McTigue and Fergal McGrath, while the evergreen David McDonagh and team captain Paul Carey, leading from the front, were in dominant form at midfield, supplying the platform for this win.

Davitts led 0-8 to 0-4 at halftime, after scoring some marvellous points by McTigue (4), McGrath, Liam Kearns, Keith Prendergast and a Carey monster from over 50 metres. Garrymore battled hard in the second half, and Jimmy Killeen kept them in touch with some well taken frees, but the games crucial score came midway through the second half, when Carlos O Gara intercepted a Garrymore clearance and his excellent pass found Fergal McGrath who used his strength to shrug off

two defenders before lashing an unstoppable shot to the roof of the net.

Garrymore narrowed the gap to three points going into the last few minutes, but it was fitting that man of the match Paul Carey had the last say, scoring the insurance point with another superb score from long range.

Davitts: Mark Diskin, Kevin Gallagher, Frankie Barrett, Tommy Nolan, Johnno Clarke, Colm Boyle, Colm Roche, David McDonagh, Paul Carey (0-2), Liam Kearns (0-1), Keith Prendergast (0-2), Carlos O Gara, Fergal McGrath (1-1), Aidan McTigue (0-4), Pat Coyne. Subs used: Maurice Prendergast, Michael Ronayne and James Cummins.

• By darraghmc
• In Match Reports

An early reminder that Davitts GAA Club’s Dinner Dance will take place in The Western Hotel, Claremorris, on December 29th. This function will honour the all conquering u-21 teams of 1984, 1985 and 1986, who captured three successive county titles, in what was a glorious era in the history of the club. This year’s players of the year, clubman of the year and the hall of fame awards will also be presented on the night. More information will be available on the clubs website closer to the event.

The u-15 team were defeated by Knockmore, 0-12 to 2-4, in the league on Sunday morning in Ballindine. A first half clash of heads between midfielder Sean Waldron and centre half forward Padraig Mangan, forcing the two players to be replaced, didn’t help Davitts, who trailed by 0-7 to 1-2 at half time. The first half goal scorer was Andrew Peters, after excellent approach work by Tommy Waldron. A second Davitts goal by Donal Ronayne with ten minutes remaining set up a very exciting finish to the game, but Knockmore, whose forward line was more economical than the home side, held on to win by two points. Best for Davitts were Brian Clarke, William Freeley, Cathal Higgins, Gerard McWalter, Matthew Trench, Andrew Peters and Tommy Waldron.

The minor team’s season ended on Sunday in Hollymount, when they were narrowly defeated, 1-7 to 0-8, by Mayo Gaels, in the Div 5 league final. Davitts led from the off but a late Mayo Gaels goal five minutes from the end was the games crucial score. Davitts had led by 0-6 to 0-3 at half time, and things were looking good until that late goal. Davitts (nearly all of the panel are minor again next year) had star performances from James Prendergast, Mark Ronayne, Michael Waldron, Josh Ronayne, David Hyland, Clive Hennigan and Tommy Clarke.

• By darraghmc
• In Match Reports