Davitts 1-12

Melvin Gaels 0-12

Davitts overcame the stern challenge of Leitrim champions Melvin Gaels to qualify for the Connaught Intermediate final, after an absolutely thrilling hour of football in Carrick On Shannon on Sunday. Davitts started off in whirlwind fashion with the full forward line of Aidan McTigue, Fergal McGrath and Michael Conroy terrorising the Melvin Gaels defence and had built up a 1-9 to 0-5 lead at halftime, a lead that would have been much more but for the poor display of the referee, whose performance was very disappointing for a game of this importance. The Davitts goal came after a sloppy clearance was picked up by Fergal McGrath who transferred the ball to Keith Prendergast and he passed the ball smartly to the outstanding Michael Conroy who made no mistake with an emphatic finish, to the delight of the huge Davitts support.

Melvin Gaels, as they normally do, came back strongly in the second half and had the excellent Davitts defence under enormous pressure for most of that second period, but the Davitts lads stood up manfully to all that was thrown at them. Gaels had narrowed the gap to two points twice in the closing stages but Davitts captain and star player Michael Conroy showed his undoubted class with two late points to ensure a Connaught final encounter with the Roscommon champions Padraig Pearses, in Kiltoom on Saturday (5th Nov) at 2pm.

Mark Diskin had an assured game in goals behind a very impressive full back line of Colm Roche, Frankie Barrett and Kevin “Diego” Gallagher. Centre back Colm Boyle blotted out the threat of Gaels star forward Emlyn Mulligan, and got great support from wingmen Johnno Clarke and the very impressive James Cummins. Ronan McNamara and Paul Carey got through a tremendous amount of work at midfield as did the half forward line of Keith Prendergast, Dave McDonagh and Pat Coyne. However, the full forward line triumvirate of Aidan McTigue, man of the match Fergal McGrath (pictured) and Michael Conroy were the Davitts leading lights on this historic day for the club. Substitutes Liam Kearns, Alan Roche, Carlos O Gara, Josh Ronayne and Martin Cosgrove all played their part in a superb game of football.

Davitts team: Mark Diskin, Colm Roche, Frankie Barrett, Kevin Gallagher, Johnno Clarke, Colm Boyle, James Cummins, Ronan McNamara (0-1), Paul Carey, Keith Prendergast, Dave McDonagh, Pat Coyne, Aidan McTigue (0-2), Fergal McGrath (0-2), Michael Conroy (1-7). Subs used: Liam Kearns, Alan Roche, Carlos O Gara, Josh Ronayne and Martin Cosgrove.

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All roads will lead to Carrick On Shannon on Sunday as Mayo Intermediate Champions (there’s a lovely ring to that) Davitts travel to do battle with Melvin Gaels, the Leitrim champs, in the Connaught semi-final at 2.30 pm. Melvin Gaels are a very highly rated outfit so lets get down there in large numbers to support this fantastic team of ours. Get out the flags, headbands, hoodies, polo shirts etc because it means so much to the lads to know the parish is behind them. A big thanks to all the people from neighbouring clubs who supported us in the County final and you are all welcome to climb on board the Davitts bandwagon …..even if its on a temporary basis. The very best of luck to Peter, John, Ja and the entire squad on Sunday, a huge day for our club. Na Daibheidi abu!!!!!

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Davitts Minor team captured their second piece of silverware in a week, capturing the Tierney Cup, defeating the home team Carras by 2-9 to 0-9 in the final, played in Garrymore on Saturday. Davitts led by 1-6 to 0-1 at the interval and withstood a second half rally by Carras to round off an excellent season. A feature of this game were the two Davitts goals, both spectacularly volleyed to the net by Tommy Waldron and Jason Connolly.

Davitts team: David Mitchell, Brian Clarke, Donie Ronayne, Gerard McWalter, Cathal Higgins, William Freeley, Caolin Devane, Jason Connolly (1-1), Mark Ronayne, Liam Noone (0-3), John Macken, Tommy Waldron (1-1), Darren Connolly (0-3), Michael Clarke, Clive Hennigan.

Subs used: Evan Connolly, Shane Cummins, Matthew Trench, Padraig Mangan (0-1), Michael Mangan, John Huane.

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Davitts 1-16

Kiltimagh 1-7

Davitts made light work of the heavy underfoot conditions in Ballindine on Saturday and defeated Kiltimagh rather comfortably to secure promotion to Div 1A of the Senior League for the coming season. Davitts fitness levels proved crucial as Kiltimagh just couldn’t live with the homeside who played some sparkling football at times in this game. Davitts led by 0-2 to 0-1 after a rather sluggish opening quarter, Michael Conroy with two excellent efforts from play for Davitts and Ciaran Charlton replying for Kiltimagh from a free. A seven minute blitz put Davitts firmly in control with points from Fergal McGrath, Keith Prendergast and four from the superb Conroy. Tomas Keegan from play and a Ciaran Charlton free narrowed the gap but Johnno Clarke scored a brilliant point just on halftime to leave Davitts ahead by 0-9 to 0-3 at halftime.

Conroy fired over another class point a minute into the second half but Kiltimagh fought back with points from Charlton and Keegan. Three brilliant scores from Ronan McNamara, Conroy and Paul Carey in the 39th and 40th minute and a superb goal finished by Fergal McGrath in the 42nd minute really killed the game off, after great work by McNamara, Alan Roche, Conroy and Aidan McTigue. Kiltimagh as always refused to lie down and Brian Gallagher pointed with ten minutes remaining. Davitts responded through Liam Kearns and Keith Prendergast before Tomas Keegan converted a penalty, after David Lydon was brought down, and Charlton pointed a free with the last kick of the game to complete the scoring.

Outstanding for Davitts were Colm and Alan Roche, Colm Boyle and Johnno Clarke in defence. Ronan McNamara and Paul Carey were superb at midfield while Keith Prendergast, Fergal McGrath and Liam Kearns impressed in attack alongside inspirational captain Michael Conroy.

Kiltimagh’s beat performers were Johnny Murtagh, Damian Gallagher, Conor Heneghan, Tomas Keegan, Brian Gallagher and Ciaran Charlton.

Davitts: Mark Diskin, Colm Roche, Frankie Barrett, Kevin Gallagher, Johnno Clarke (0-1), Alan Roche, Ronan McNamara (0-2), Paul Carey (0-1), Keith Prendergast (0-2), David McDonagh, Pat Coyne, Aidan McTigue, Fergal McGrath (1-1), Michael Conroy (0-8). Subs used: Josh Ronayne, Liam Kearns (0-1), Carlos O Gara, Seamus Roche, Shane Mitchell.

Kiltimagh: Ian Corry, Philip Larkin, Johnny Murtagh, Damian Gallagher, Mattie Cummins, Conor Heneghan, Paul Regan, Aidan Lydon, Barry McCarthy, David Lydon, Paul Lydon, Tomas Keegan (1-2), Brian Gallagher (0-1), Liam Lydon, Ciaran Charlton (0-4). Sub used: Gabriel Murtagh.

Referee: Eamon McAndrew.

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Davitts intermediate team put on a fantastic performance in McHale Park on Sunday to defeat a gallant Burrishoole team by 0-14 to 0-12 in an epic final. Davitts, with the advantage of the wind in the first half, played superb football to go in 0-10 to 0-3 ahead at the interval. Team captain Michael Conroy was on fire, scoring five of those points while wily veteran Dave McDonagh rolled back the years with a vintage display. Paul Carey and Ronan McNamara were on top at midfield while Colm Boyle was his usual excellent self at centre back. Burrishoole came back strongly after the break and rattled off four points in a row before Keith Prendergast lifted the siege with an excellent point. Burrishoole came back again and narrowed the gap to two points before Conroy scored a peach to stem the tide. Burrishoole were well on top at this stage and three unanswered points had the sides level with three minutes left and it looked like the West Mayo side were destined to win but a superb Aidan McTigue point put Davitts back in front and a monster 55 metre free kick by Ronan McNamara sealed a famous victory for the men in red and black, to spark off unbelievable scenes of joy amongst the huge Davitts crowd.

As well as those already mentioned, Davitts had superb performances from Mark Diskin, the brilliant Kevin “Diego” Gallagher and Frankie Barrett, Colm Roche, Johnno Clarke, James Cummins, Pat Coyne and Fergal McGrath while substitutes Keith Glynn, Alan Roche, Carlos O Gara, Liam Kearns and Martin Cosgrove all played their parts in a famous victory.

A huge well done to team manager Peter Warren (the new Lord Mayor of Ballindine and Irishtown) and selectors John Treacy and Ja Trench. Team captain Michael Conroy accepted the Sweeney Cup on behalf of his teammates and his acceptance speech almost rivalled his man of the match performance on the field.

Davitts: Mark Diskin, Colm Roche, Frankie Barrett, Kevin Gallagher, Johnno Clarke, Colm Boyle, James Cummins, Ronan McNamara (0-3), Paul Carey (0-1), Keith Prendergast (0-1), Dave McDonagh (0-2), Pat Coyne, Aidan McTigue (0-1), Fergal McGrath, Michael Conroy (0-6). Subs used: Keith Glynn, Carlos O Gara, Alan Roche, Liam Kearns and Martin Cosgrove.

Pictures to follow…

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Davitts minor team put on one of the guttiest displays the club has ever produced, to defeat Kiltimagh by 2-3 to 0-7, in McHale Park on Sunday, and set up a memorable double with the intermediate team on a day that will long be remembered by everyone in Ballindine and Irishtown. Davitts, playing with the assistance of the strong wind in the first half, appeared to be in big trouble at half time, as the sides were level, and Kiltimagh looked certain to win, but Davitts put on an unbelievably brave second half performance, to win the game, to the delight of the massive Ballindine/Irishtown contingent present.

Davitts had stars all over the pitch in this game but goalie David Mitchell (who pulled off a few miraculous stops), Donal Ronayne, William Freeley, Jason Connolly, Mark Ronayne, Andrew Peters, Tommy Waldron and two goal hero Clive Hennigan deserve special mention. Brian Clarke, Gerard McWalter and Cathal Higgins defended superbly throughout while Sean Waldron worked himself to a standstill at midfield. Liam Noone, Darren Connolly and Michael Clarke linked well in attack, while substitutes Matthew Trench, John Macken and Gearoid Lyons made significant impacts in a game where Davitts displayed tremendous character.

Well done to the team’s mentors Liam Nyland, Paul Carey, John Waldron and Tom Kearns.

Davitts: David Mitchell, Gerard McWalter, Donie Ronayne, Brian Clarke, Cathal Higgins, William Freeley, Mark Ronayne, Sean Waldron, Liam Noone (0-1), Andrew Peters, Tommy Waldron, Darren Connolly (0-1), Michael Clarke, Clive Hennigan (2-1). Subs used: John Macken, Matthew Trench and Gearoid Lyons.

Pictures to follow…

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Davitts were crowned Intermediate Champions on Sunday in McHale after a riveting final, which saw Davitts fend off a gallant comeback from a Burrishoole side that lost their second County Final in a row. The cherry on the cake for the day was the success of the Davitts Minor team in the County B Final. The youngsters beat Kiltimagh in a tight contest. Sunday 16th October 2011 – this date is perhaps the finest day in the proud history of our club. Congratulations to all the players and management involved, and to the throngs of supporters who were like an extra man when the going got tough for both teams. Full match reports and photos from both games will be posted in the coming days (when the drink runs out…)

Wuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuhuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!!!

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Davitts U-15 team travelled to Shrule on Sunday and defeated Shrule-Glencorrib by 2-17 to 1-6. Cathal Hennelly and Jack Rodgers were the goalscorers in a very impressive win. Davitts scorers: Mikie Devane (0-5), Cathal Hennelly (1-2), Jack Rodgers (1-1), Evan Ronayne (0-3), Padraig Mangan (0-3), Richie O Connor (0-2), Gerard Griffin (0-1).

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Davitts U-13 girls team were defeated by a single point, 1-3 to 1-2, by Swinford in the County A final played in Kiltimagh on Sunday. This was a heartbreaking defeat but the girls done the club proud by reaching the final and they will have many more big days in the coming years. Eilis Ronayne won the player of the match award after an exceptional performance.

Davitts team: Chloe Goggins, Emma Devane, Maeve McWalter, Niamh Huane, Niamh Higgins, Eilis Ronayne, Emma Corr, Aishling O Connor, Ashley Devane, Aoife Cunningham, Ella Sheridan, Rebecca Waldron (1-2), Niamh Meehan, Elaine Clarke, Ciara Clarke. Sub used: Alana Dixon.

Other panel members: Caoimhe Rodgers, Emer Hynes, Sarah Corless, Ava Trench, Rachel Fallon, Saoirse Melvin, Nicole Dixon, Michela Gormally, Muireann Gormally, Sophie Raftery, Emma Trench.

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With county final fever gripping the parish, following the qualification of the Intermediate and minor teams to their respective county finals in McHale Park on Sunday October 16th, we would like to encourage people to fly the clubs colours proudly as we approach the big day, one of the biggest in Davitts history.

The very best of luck to Liam Nyland, Tom Kearns, John Waldron, Paul Carey and the Minor squad and to Peter Warren, John Treacy and Ja Trench and the Intermediate panel.

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