Davitts Junior team maintained their push for the Division 1E Senior league title with a good, 4-8 to 2-9 win over Ballina in sunny Ballindine on Sunday. Davitts were in command from the start and after a sparkling display of football in the first half, led by 3-6 to 0-3 at the break, the goals scored by Richie Kilkenny, Andrew Peters and Johnno Clarke. Davitts took their foot off the pedal in the second half and the visitors took full advantage but they never looked like winning despite their spirited fightback. A fourth goal by Carlos O Gara ten minutes from the finish sealed the Davitts victory.

Outstanding for Davitts were Michael Ronayne, Cathal Higgins, Johnno Clarke, Michael Waldron, John Heneghan, Andrew Peters, Carlos O Gara, Seamus Roche, Liam Kearns and Richie Kilkenny.

Davitts team: Sean Waldron, Luke Ronayne, Michael Ronayne, John Costello, Cathal Higgins (0-1), Johnno Clarke (1-0), Martin Cosgrove, John Heneghan, Michael Waldron, Andrew Peters (1-1), Seamus Roche (0-1), Carlos O Gara (1-0), Liam Noone (0-1), Liam Kearns (0-2), Richie Kilkenny (1-2). Subs used: William Freeley, Thomas Waldron, Brian Clarke, Padraig Moran.

• By darraghmc
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Davitts 0-12

Ballina 1-09

Davitts, while picking up their first Div 1A league point in sunny Ballindine on Saturday evening, will be disappointed at not getting the two, as Ballina Stephenites corner forward Sean Regan equalised from a free with the last kick of this entertaining game. Davitts made all the running and led by 0-8 to 0-6 at halftime with Tommy Nolan, Colm Boyle, Michael Waldron, Ronan McNamara, Josh Ronayne and man of the match Paul Carey in flying form. Ballina were keeping in touch and two late frees from the impressive Sean Regan left just two points between the sides at the break. Brian Ruane, Ger Cafferkey, Eanna Casey and Paul McGarry were doing their best to keep their side in touch.

Davitts extended their lead to four points with superb scores from Carey and Fearghal McGrath but Eanna Casey pegged one back for the visitors in the 13th minute of the second half. A tremdendous Colm Boyle point put the homeside four points in front again in the 20th minute but a goal from substitute Diarmuid Farrell threw the game wide open with eight minutes remaining. Regan equalised but an inspirational Paul Carey point put Davitts in front again with time running out. Colm Boyle scored what looked like the insurance point but amazingly the umpire flagged it wide, the only man in the ground that thought so, and Ballina got the equaliser in the 4th minute of stoppage time with another Sean Regan free kick.

Ballina will know that they were very lucky to get a point out of this game but they are a strong direct side and will be very much in contention when the league and championship reach their concluding stages.

Davitts meanwhile will take encouragement from picking up their first league point but will also know that this was a game they should have won.

Davitts team: Mark Diskin, Colm Roche, Tommy Nolan, Michael Ronayne, Michael Waldron, Colm Boyle (0-1), James Cummins, Ronan McNamara (0-2), Keith Prendergast, Paul Carey (0-3), Josh Ronayne (0-1), Liam Kearns, Aidan McTigue, Fearghal McGrath (0-1), Michael Conroy (0-4). Subs used: Kevin Gallagher, Pat Coyne, Carlos O Gara, Andrew Peters.

Ballina: David Clarke, Brian Ruane, Ger Cafferkey, Thomas Doherty, Stephen Mullin, Colm Leonard, Aidan Tigue, Austin O Toole, Alex Corduff, Eanna Casey (0-1), Kieran Sweeney (0-1), Ger Brady, Lorcan Healy (0-1), Paul McGarry (0-2), Sean Regan (0-4). Subs used: Niall Doherty, Diarmuid Farrell (1-0), Leroy Nevin.

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Davitts travelled to Kilmaine on Wednesday evening and defeated the home team by 1-13 to 0-12, in the South Mayo Junior Championship. A downpour before the game made conditions very tricky but both teams coped well with the conditions. Davitts started well with midfielders John Heneghan and Tommy Mitchell dictating the play and the entire forwardline looking very sharp, and had built up a 1-8 to 0-5 halftime lead, the crucial goal coming from the very lively Richie Kilkenny in the 20th minute.

Kilmaine fought hard in the second half and narrowed the gap to three points but scores from Richie Kilkenny, Andrew Peters, Liam Noone, Clive Hennigan and John Costello kept Davitts in the driving seat.

Sean Waldron was confident and assured in goals and in front of him Martin Cosgrove, Luke Ronayne, Cathal Higgins, Tommy Nolan and Laurence Daly gave nothing away soft. John Costello and Tommy Mitchell excelled at midfield throughout. The hard working half forwardline of William Freeley, captain Seamus Roche and Andrew Peters were very impressive while inside Liam Noone, Clive Hennigan and Richie Kilkenny caused the home defence all sorts of problems, while sub Tommy Waldron was also lively when introduced. The man of the match however on this occasion was John Costello Jnr who had a blinder from start to finish.

Davitts team: Sean Waldron, Martin Cosgrove, Luke Ronayne, John Costello Jnr (0-1), Cathal Higgins, Tommy Nolan, Laurence Daly, John Heneghan, Tommy Mitchell, William Freeley, Seamus Roche (0-1), Andrew Peters (0-3), Liam Noone (0-3), Clive Hennigan (0-2), Richie Kilkenny (1-3). Sub used: Tommy Waldron.

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Ballintubber 2-12

Davitts 1-11

The current County Senior Champions hosted the Intermediate Champions in this intriguing Mayo Senior League match in Ballintubber, with the homeside coming out on top by four points after an entertaining game. Davitts got off to a blistering start, with Ronan McNamara in dominant form at midfield, and led by 1-5 to 0-2 after 15 minutes, the goal coming after Josh Ronayne’s long delivery was flicked on by Liam Kearns to David McDonagh who gave Brendan Walsh no chance with a clever finish. Davitts, at this stage, were playing great football but the experience of the homeside saw them claw back into the game with a splendid piece of opportunism by Cillian O Connor, who finished emphatically after a defensive slip, to put Ballintubber back in the game, and points from the impressive Padraig O Connor and Alan Plunkett had the Tubber ahead by 1-8 to 1-6 at half time.

Ballintubber extended their lead with points from the O Connors and Danny Geraghty before Padraig O Connor blasted past Mark Diskin to put them firmly in control with 15 minutes remaining. Davitts could have lied down but instead they showed great character and tenacity to tag on points via Josh Ronayne (3) and McNamara (2) as they took the game to their hosts, with Colm Boyle, Paul Carey and Josh Ronayne leading the charge.

Ballintubber deservedly won the game and had splendid contributions from Cathal Hallinan, the three O Connor brothers, Ruadhri, Cillian and Padraig, Danny Geraghty, Alan Plunkett and Alan Dillon.

Davitts were best served by Tommy Nolan, Colm Boyle, Ronan McNamara, Paul Carey, Liam Kearns and Josh Ronayne.

Ballintubber: Brendan Walsh, Liam Tunney, Cathal Hallinan, Paul Earley, Myles Kelly, Tom Earley, Ruadhri O Connor, Jason Gibbons, Danny Geraghty (0-1), Damien Coleman, Alan Dillon, Alan Plunkett (0-2), Damien McGing (0-1), Cillian O Connor (1-4), Padraig O Connor (1-4). Subs used: Kevin McGuinness, Johnny Duffy, Gary Loftus.

Davitts: Mark Diskin, Colm Roche, Michael Waldron, Tommy Nolan, Michael Ronayne, Colm Boyle, James Cummins, Ronan McNamara (0-4), Keith Prendergast, Paul Carey, Josh Ronayne (0-5), Liam Kearns, Aidan McTigue (0-2), Fearghal McGrath, David McDonagh (1-0). Subs used: Andrew Peters, Carlos O Gara, Pat Coyne, Johnno Clarke.

Ref: Martin Murphy.

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Davitts junior team travelled to Westport on Sunday and were beaten by 3-10 to 1-7, although the game was much closer than the scoreline suggests. The Westport attack were slicker and looked like scoring every time the ball entered the Davitts half, while at the other end, the Davitts attack were very wasteful. Westport had led by 1-7 to 1-3 at halftime, with Richie Kilkenny supplying a neat finish for the visitors goal after great work by Liam Kearns and Pat Coyne.

Davitts almost grabbed a goal in the opening minute of the second half when Kilkenny rattled the underside of the crossbar and Westport managed to scramble the ball away. Although Davitts were camped in their opponents half for the first ten minutes of the second half, they never threatened the scoreboard, thanks to some great defending and some terrible shooting. Westport then grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck and scored at will as the Davitts lads heads began to drop.

Davitts best performers in this game were Tommy Nolan, Johnno Clarke, Pat Coyne, who had a fine game, Andrew Peters and Michael Waldron.

Davitts: David Connolly, Cathal Higgins, Tommy Nolan, Martin Cosgrove, Johnno Clarke, Tommy Mitchell, Laurence Daly, John Heneghan, Pat Coyne, Michael Waldron (0-1), Josh Ronayne (0-5), Andrew Peters, Seamus Roche, Liam Kearns (0-1), Richie Kilkenny (1-0). Subs used: James Cummins, William Freeley.

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