Davitts 0-11

Westport 2-4

An understrength Davitts Senior team collected a very valuable brace of league points in a game played in desperate conditions in Ballindine on Sunday. A very wet pitch and a strong crosswind made playing difficult but both teams have to be applauded for serving up a very entertaining match that hung in the balance right up to the final whistle.

Westport started brightly and county minor midfielder Brian Mullen goaled in the first minute, his twenty metre strike giving Davitts keeper Mark Diskin no chance. Westport’s Damian Keane pointed a free a minute later and things looked bleak for the homeside. Davitts then began to take control of things around midfield with Ronan McNamara, Paul Carey and Alan Roche stamping their authority on proceedings and points from Aidan McTigue (2), Keith Prendergast (3) and Johnno Clarke for Davitts and another point from Damian Keane left the homeside in front, 0-6 to 1-2, at the break.

A bizarre Westport goal in the first minute of the second half put them in front again. Midfielder Mark McCaffrey’s long delivery deceived Mark Diskin and the ball trickled agonisingly over the goal line. Davitts renowned battling spirit came to the fore after this and a series of superb points by McNamara (2), Prendergast, David McDonagh and Mark Ronayne with Westport replying via Brian Mullen and Steven Broderick, ensured the locals the two badly needed league points. Davitts forward Michael Conroy, a most influential figure for his team, had a well struck penalty expertly saved by Westport’s custodian Tom Higgins, with two minutes remaining, after David McDonagh was fouled when about to shoot. Davitts hung on for a deserved victory and credit also to a gallant Westport team who battled gamely to the end.

Davitts had stars all over the field and the performances of

Michael Ronayne, Alan Roche, Ronan McNamara, Paul Carey, Aidan McTigue, David McDonagh and Michael Conroy were exceptional.

Westport were best served by Tom Higgins, Kevin Keane, Lee Keegan, Niall O Malley, Brian Mullen and Steven Broderick.

Davitts: Mark Diskin, Colm Roche, Michael Ronayne, Kevin Gallagher, Johnno Clarke (0-1), Alan Roche, James Cummins, Ronan McNamara (0-2), Paul Carey, Mark Ronayne (0-1), Keith Prendergast (0-4), Liam Kearns, Aidan McTigue (0-2), David McDonagh (0-1), Michael Conroy.

Westport: Tom Higgins, Dessie Keane, Kevin Keane, Liam Ketterick, Brian Fleming, Lee Keegan, Niall O Malley, Gary Keane, Mark McCaffrey (1-0), David Horan, Ryan Cafferkey, Brian Mullen (1-1), Damian Keane (0-2), Steven Broderick (0-1), Shane Geraghty.

Referee: John Glavey (Aughamore).

• By darraghmc
• In Match Reports

Davitts junior team travelled to Ballaghaderreen on Saturday evening and kept their promotion hopes alive with a fine 1-12 to 1-4 win over the home side, in Div 1E of the Senior League. Davitts, playing with the strong wind in the first half, led by 0-7 to 0-2 at halftime, with points from Liam Kearns (3), Darren Connolly (2), Johnno Clarke and Seamus Roche. The hardworking John Heneghan was winning a lot of ball at midfield, and getting great assistance from Johnno Clarke and Tommy Mitchell.

Ballaghaderreen came storming back in the second half but found the Davitts defence in a very uncompromising mood, with the three Ronaynes, Donal, Mark and Michael in terrific form and goalie David Mitchell performing heroics when called upon. The locals narrowed the gap to three points with fifteen minutes remaining but Davitts upped the tempo and finished the game off with an opportunist goal by Richie Kilkenny and superb points from team captain Seamus Roche and the very impressive Darren Connolly (2).

Davitts final two league games are at home to Ardagh and Ballycroy and two wins should secure promotion. On Saturday evening next, Charlestown will provide stiff opposition for the Davitts boys in the County Junior B Final at McHale Park.

Davitts team: David Mitchell, Donal Ronayne, Michael Ronayne, Brian Clarke, Cathal Higgins, Mark Ronayne, Martin Cosgrove (0-1), John Heneghan, Johnno Clarke (0-2), Seamus Roche (0-2), Michael Waldron, Liam Kearns (0-3), Darren Connolly (0-4), Tommy Mitchell, Richie Kilkenny (1-0). Subs used: Liam Noone, Thomas Waldron, John Costello, JP Kirrane, William Freeley.

• By darraghmc
• In Match Reports