Ballyhaunis 0-12 Davitts 1-9

A trademark 45 metre free kick from Ronan McNamara with the last kick of the game earned Davitts a draw in this Senior Championship match played in Ballyhaunis on Sunday. The draw ensures Davitts Senior status for next year while the gallant Ballyhaunis lads will have to survive the dreaded relegation play-offs because of an inferior score difference.

Davitts got off to a perfect start when Colm Boyle’s long delivery was fielded by Ronan McNamara who passed on to Cathal Hennelly who gave Adrian Philips no chance with an emphatic finish in the opening minute of the game. Josh Ronayne extended the lead with a point two minutes later and Davitts, playing with the strong wind, were looking good. Ballyhaunis replied with two Niall Prenty pointed frees in the fifth and seventh minutes but Sean Waldron extended Davitts lead to three with a neat score in the 12th minute. Ballyhaunis began to show admirable grit and driven on by Declan Doyle, Keith Higgins, Brian Hunt, the rugged Ryan Worden and Niall Prenty, they proceeded to dominate the remainder of the first half. Five unanswered points via Niall Prenty (an absolute beauty from the right wing), Adrian Philips, John Prenty, Stephen Hoban and Brian Hunt had them two points ahead after 28 minutes. A fine Cathal Hennelly point for the visitors four minutes into injury time left Ballyhaunis ahead by 0-7 to 1-3 at the interval.

Colm Roche opened the second half scoring for Davitts but Ballyhaunis replied with points from Niall Prenty, Brian O Neill, a huge effort from Keith Higgins, and John Prenty to put them four points up as the game entered the final quarter. Davitts looked dead and buried at this stage but inspirational play from man of the match James Cummins, Colm Roche, Ronan McNamara, Josh Ronayne, Liam Kearns and Cathal Hennelly hauled them back into the game. Josh Ronayne pointed in the 17th minute and Liam Kearns popped over three points in a row to have the sides level with the game entering stoppage time. Keith Higgins scored what looked like the winner, another fantastic score from way out the field. It was left to Ronan McNamara to rescue Davitts as he pointed a long range free after great work by Declan Healy, Liam Kearns and James Cummins.

This was a tense and niggly game but what it might have lacked in quality was more than compensated by the excitement it gave the large attendance.

Ballyhaunis: Adrian Philips (0-1), Declan Doyle, Patrick Kiely, Conor Freeley, Eoghan Collins, Ryan Worden, John Cunnane, Keith Higgins (0-2), Kevin Gallagher, Brian Hunt (0-1), Morgan Lyons, Stephen Hoban (0-1), Jarlath Carney, John Prenty (0-2), Niall Prenty (0-4). Subs used: Brian O Neill (0-1), Isaac Carroll.

Davitts: Adrian McNamara, Donal Ronayne, Tommy Nolan, Colm Roche (0-1), James Cummins, Jonathan Clarke, Cathal Higgins, Ronan McNamara (0-1), Colm Boyle, Josh Ronayne (0-2), Liam Kearns (0-3), Thomas Waldron, Andrew Peters, Sean Waldron (0-1), Cathal Hennelly (1-1). Subs used: Matthew Trench, Declan Healy, Mark Ronayne.

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Davitts Juniors bowed out of the South Mayo Championship after a 1-13 to 1-6 defeat by Hollymount Carramore in sunny Carramore on Wednesday evening. After a closely contested first half the homeside pulled away to qualify for the Semi-Final of the competition that Davitts had won the last two years.

Davitts got off to a flying start with the alert Evan Ronayne pouncing on a breaking ball and lashing it to the Hollycarra net in the third minute. Aidan McTigue added a point but Davitts were dealt a severe blow when that player had to go off injured a few minutes later. A storming midfield display by Declan Healy and two Liam Noone points had Davitts in front by 1-4 to 0-6 at halftime.

Hollycarra began to take control after the break and they had gone three points ahead when Patrick Keadin was sent off, a harsh decision in the extreme, with fifteen minutes remaining. It was obvious that it wasn’t to be Davitts night when two excellent goal attempts by Evan Ronayne and JP Kirrane in the next few minutes both hit the outside of the woodwork and went wide. Liam Noone pointed twice but Hollycarra were not going to let this one slip as they pushed on to win by seven points.

All of the Davitts players tried their hearts out in this game with several making a huge effort to play the game, travelling from all over the country.

Davitts: David Mitchell, Gerard McWalter, John Costello, Lawrence Daly, Tommy Clarke, William Freeley, Patrick Keadin, Shane Mitchell, Declan Healy, Seamus Roche, Mark Ronayne, Shane Treacy, Liam Noone (0-4), Aidan McTigue (0-1), Evan Ronayne (1-1). Subs used: Jamie Mullee, Michael Ronayne, JP Kirrane, Luke Ronayne, Gearoid Lyons.

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Davitts 0-9 Knockmore 1-14

Knockmore made the journey to Ballindine for this Senior Championship match a fruitful one when producing a fantastic second half display to virtually ensure their place in the Quarter Finals. The sides were level at 0-5 apiece at the break and few in the large attendance could have envisaged the final scoreline, but a devastating third quarter by Knockmore proved crucial.

Points from Niall Gillespie and Kieran Langan had Knockmore two ahead in the fourth minute before Liam Kearns and two from Josh Ronayne edged Davitts in front after nine minutes. Colm Reape equalised two minutes later and the same player put Knockmore ahead again in the 19th minute. Davitts spurned two excellent goal chances in the next two minutes before Liam Kearns fired over the equaliser. Colm Reape and Josh Ronayne traded points before the break as the sides went in all square.

Keith Ruttledge opened the second half scoring with a second minute point which was cancelled out by Liam Kearns a minute later. Knockmore took over at this stage, driven on by the excellent Kevin McLoughlin, and unanswered points from Niall Gillespie, Kevin McLoughlin, Keith Ruttledge and a Darren McHale goal had them six up with thirteen minutes remaining as the homeside’s challenge collapsed. Three Josh Ronayne points was all that Davitts could muster in reply and Peter Naughton and Colm Reape(3) pointed as Knockmore finished the game in style.

Knockmore had star performers in Ciaran Canning, Shane McHale, Kieran Langan, Kevin McLoughlin, Niall Gillespie, Darren McHale and Keith Ruttledge.

Best for Davitts were Tommy Nolan, James Cummins, Colm Roche, Colm Boyle, Ronan McNamara, Josh Ronayne, Liam Kearns and Michael Conroy.

Davitts: Micheal Mangan, Donal Ronayne, Tommy Nolan, Kevin Gallagher, James Cummins, Cathal Higgins, Colm Roche, Ronan McNamara, Colm Boyle, Josh Ronayne (0-6), Liam Kearns (0-3), Jonathan Clarke, Andrew Peters, Sean Waldron, Michael Conroy. Subs used: Thomas Waldron, Cathal Hennelly, Matthew Trench, Adrian McNamara.

Knockmore: Gerry Higgins, Ciaran Canning, Shane McHale, Alan Stadler, Francie O Neill, Diarmuid Walsh, Justin Rice, Kieran Langan (0-1), Kevin McLoughlin (0-1), Darren McHale (1-0), John Brogan, Niall Gillespie (0-2), Peter Naughton (0-1), Colm Reape (0-6), Keith Ruttledge (0-3).

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Davitts and Eastern Gaels met in the County U-14 Championship in Ballindine on Thursday evening with the Gaels winning a humdinger of a game by two points, 2-13 to 3-8. Davitts had trailed by 2-9 to 1-3 at the interval but staged a terrific second half comeback and had a chance to win the game with the last kick of the game. Stephen Nyland’s penalty however, was saved, after the very impressive Fintan Kelly was fouled when bearing down on the Eastern Gaels goal.

There were excellent performances in this game from Gary Bourke, Takeshi Kilkenny, Charlie Phillips, Oisin O Connor, Zack Keadin, Stephen Nyland, Fintan Kelly and sub Jack Devane.

Davitts: Gavin Ring, Thomas Ronayne, Micheal Hett, Gary Bourke, Takeshi Kilkenny (0-1), Charlie Phillips, Oisin O Connor, Niall Treacy, Aidan Cosgrove, Zack Keadin (1-0), Stephen Nyland (1-6), Fintan Kelly, Daniel Corless. Subs used: Jack Devane (1-1), Sean Feerick.

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Davitts and Garrymore met in Round 2 of the South Mayo Junior Championship in Ballindine on Wednesday evening with the homeside victorious by three points, 0-15 to 2-6, after an entertaining game. Wind assisted Garrymore were the better side in the first half and deservedly led by five points, 2-5 to 0-6, at the break. If the Garrymore attack weren’t so wasteful this lead could have been greater as Davitts looked very lethargic in that half. Aidan McTigue (2), Evan Ronayne, Shane Treacy and Liam Noone (2) were Davitts first half scorers.

The second half saw a more determined and focussed Davitts side take over with the defence tightening up considerably, midfielders Declan Healy and William Freeley winning lots of possession and the attack moving fluently. The homeside outscored their neighbours by 0-9 to 0-1 in the second half as they played some fine football. Young Evan Ronayne clipped over three neat points, Aidan McTigue and Liam Noone fired over two apiece and Shane Treacy and John Costello completed the scoring.

Keeper Adrian McNamara was very steady and could do nothing about the two goals conceded. Corner backs Ger McWalter and Lawrence Daly marked tightly while John Costello (0-1) recovered from a shaky start to have a storming game. Michael Ronayne had a fine game at centre back flanked by Martin Cosgrove and the very impressive Patrick Keadin. Declan Healy and William Freeley took control of the midfield sector in the second half. Shane Treacy (0-2) was very influential with Tommy Clarke grafting hard at wing forward. Jamie Mullee won a lot of possession while Liam Noone (0-4), Aidan McTigue (0-4) and outstanding prospect Evan Ronayne (0-4) took their scores well. Davitts introduced Luke Ronayne, a real crowd pleaser, into the attack in the second half and he used his experience to good effect.

Davitts next game is a crucial one with group leaders Hollymount-Carramore next Wednesday.

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Davitts 3-20 Breaffy 1-13

Davitts welcomed Breaffy to Ballindine for the second time in three weeks and, after being defeated by the visitors in the Championship, gained a small bit of compensation by dishing out a comprehensive defeat to the boys in blue and getting two valuable Senior League points. On a sunny afternoon the Davitts lads played some sparkling football to delight the home supporters.

Josh Ronayne opened the scoring with a first minute point and Andy Peters doubled the lead moments later with a neat point. Tommy Reilly and Matthew Ruane replied for Breaffy but Liam Kearns and Ronan McNamara restored Davitts two point lead. Gerry Jennings and Tommy Reilly pointed in the 11th and 12th minute but a long delivery into the Breaffy square was fisted to the net by Micheal Mangan in the 13th minute and the homeside never looked back. Andrew Peters added two more points with Peter Dravins replying for Breaffy. Liam Kearns extended Davitts lead to five points in the 23rd minute with Matthew Ruane pulling one back for the visitors. Davitts influential midfielder Josh Ronayne scored Davitts second goal in the 27th minute after great work from Sean Waldron and Andy Peters. Tommy Reilly and Gerry Jennings for Breaffy and Josh Ronayne for Davitts pointed before the interval to leave the homeside ahead by 22-8 to 0-8 at the break.

As in the first half Josh Ronayne opened the second half scoring with a first minute point. A goal from Breaffy sub Ronan Conway gave them hope a minute later and a Peter Dravins point in the 4th minute narrowed the gap to three. Davitts stepped up a gear with two Josh Ronayne points and a cracking Ronan McNamara goal in the space of three minutes. Two more Ronayne points and a fine effort from Liam Kearns stretched the Davitts lead as the game entered the final quarter. Eddie Conroy and Peter Dravins pulled two back for Breaffy but Davitts finished well with points from Josh Ronayne (3), Colm Roche, Ronan McNamara and Aidan McTigue with Breaffy’s only reply coming from Tommy Reilly.

Davitts had superb performances from the outstanding Colm Roche, James Cummins, Josh Ronayne, Liam Kearns, Andy Peters and Ronan McNamara.

Breaffy’s best on the day were Michael Jennings, Colm Kelly, Matthew Ruane, Eddie Conroy, Tommy Reilly and Gerry Jennings.

Davitts: Adrian McNamara, Donal Ronayne, Cathal Higgins, Colm Roche (0-1), James Cummins, Johnno Clarke, Martin Cosgrove, Josh Ronayne (1-10), Sean Waldron, Cathal Hennelly, Liam Kearns (0-3), Micheal Mangan (1-0), Andy Peters (0-3), Ronan McNamara (1-2), Thomas Waldron. Subs used: William Freeley, Aidan McTigue (0-1), Liam Noone, Lawrence Daly, Michael Waldron, Evan Ronayne.

Breaffy: Evan Mulgrew, Colm Jordan, David Gavin, Michael Jennings, Keith Mulchrone, Colm Kelly, Darragh Morrin, Matthew Ruane (0-2), Eddie Conroy (0-1), Keith Curry, Tommy Reilly (0-5), Peter Dravins (0-3), Gareth Dunne, Gerry Jennings (0-2), Rory Martyn. Subs used: Ronan Conway (1-0), Evan Morrin.

Referee: Denis Harrington.

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Davitts 0-10 Eastern Gaels 1-6

Davitts Junior Team played host to close neighbours Eastern Gaels in the first round of the County Junior B Championship on Saturday evening with Davitts coming out on top, 0-10 to 1-6, after a titanic struggle. Wind assisted Davitts had led by 0-4 to 0-2 at halftime but it was their second half performance that saw them deservedly getting the win in front of a large attendance.

The first half was riddled with stoppages that didn’t really suit the homeside but they showed good character to score three vital points before halftime, after trailing by 0-2 to 0-1 with ten minutes remaining in that half. Aidan McTigue, Shane Treacy and Liam Noone (2) were Davitts first half scorers.

Davitts, with the outstanding Shane Mitchell dominating around midfield, played superbly in the second half. Aidan McTigue and Evan Ronayne were proving to be a handful for the Gaels defence, while Seamus Roche, Liam Noone, Shane Treacy and Carlos O Gara worked their socks off while playing intelligent football to delight the home crowd. Superb points from Aidan McTigue, inspirational captain JP Kirrane, man of the match Shane Mitchell and Liam Noone put Davitts 0-8 to 0-4 ahead before David Mitchell affected a magnificent save from an Eastern Gaels penalty. Davitts broke downfield and young Evan Ronayne pointed before Eastern Gaels scored a goal and a point to leave just a point in the game with five minutes remaining to ensure a grandstand finish. Another fantastic Evan Ronayne point gave Davitts a little breathing space but Gaels replied with a pointed free and had a chance to snatch a draw with a shot that went narrowly wide in the last seconds.

This game was a great advert for Junior B football and Eastern Gaels will prove to be a dangerous opposition as the competition progresses.

Davitts will be delighted with the win and all fifteen players contributed to the victory. David Mitchell in goals was heroic while Patrick Keadin, John Costello and Lawrence Daly were in top form in the full backline. William Freeley was extremely solid at centre back flanked by the hardworking JP Kirrane and Tommy Clarke. Martin Cosgrove worked hard at midfield along with the outstanding Shane Mitchell. The workrate of the six forwards was admirable and they all contributed to a very satisfactory result.

Davitts: David Mitchell, Patrick Keadin, John Costello, Lawrence Daly, JP Kirrane (0-1), William Freeley, Tommy Clarke, Shane Mitchell (0-1), Martin Cosgrove, Evan Ronayne (0-2), Carlos O Gara, Liam Noone (0-3), Seamus Roche, Aidan McTigue (0-2), Shane Treacy (0-1). Subs used: Michael Clarke, Michael Ronayne.

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