Davitts 2-8 Killala 1-11

Davitts and Killala met in Div 1E of the Senior League on Sunday in Ballindine and, after an entertaining game, the spoils were shared. While Killala dominated the first half, a fine second half revival by the homeside earned them a deserved draw.

Killala led by 1-3 to 0-0 after ten minutes, their goal coming from the penalty spot after Davitts corner back Tommy Brogan cynically fouled a Killala midfielder bearing down on goal. Brogan rightly received a black card and the penalty was despatched with aplomb past the helpless Davitts keeper Eddie Kenny. Davitts points from Ronan Kirrane, Noel Cosgrove and Padraig Moran brought them to within three points of Killala but the visitors added two more points to lead by 1-5 to 0-3 at the break.

The introduction of Thomas Ward and Liam Kearns at the start of the second half had a major bearing on the outcome. Both linked up superbly together to set up a terrific goal finished by Danny O Gara. The deadly duo of Ward and Kearns struck again three minutes later with Ward doing all the donkeywork before setting up Kearns for a top class goal that had the home crowd on their feet. Two more fantastic Thomas Ward points cancelled out two Killala points to leave the game in the melting pot with ten minutes remaining. The terrible twins Ward and Kearns were on fire now but Killala managed to shoot over four points of the highest calibre. The Davitts team responded in the best fashion and a pear of points by Ward and the equaliser from Liam Kearns meant the game ended up in stalemate. Davitts ended the game with fourteen players after Ronan Kirrane was sent off for two bookable offences.

Best for Davitts were Seamus Daly, Joe Ryan, Gabriel Prendergast, Ronan Kirrane up to his dismissal, Liam Kearns and the superb Thomas Ward.

Davitts: Eddie Kenny, Tommy Brogan, Joe Ryan, Seamus Daly, Liam Griffin, Jimmy Kilkenny, Noel Cosgrove (0-1), Ronan Kirrane (0-1), Padraig Moran (0-1), Danny O Gara (1-0), PJ Noone, John Sheridan, Noel ‘Bird’ Heneghan, Tony Robinson, Tony Melvin. Subs used: Liam Kearns (1-1), Thomas Ward (0-4), PJ Barrett, Anthony Glynn, Sean Bourke, Michael Hett.

• By darraghmc
• In Match Reports

Knockmore 2-9 Davitts 1-12

Davitts put in a battling display in this Senior League Div 1A game played in Knockmore on Saturday to earn what might end up being a very important league point. Davitts played with the wind in the first half and were full value for their halftime lead of 0-7 to 1-2. The first half point takers were Josh Ronayne (4), Ronan McNamara, Colm Boyle and Keith Prendergast.

Knockmore started the second half in whirlwind fashion and a goal and four points in the opening twelve minutes of the half looked to have settled the outcome. They were unlucky not to score another goal or two and Davitts were reeling. Davitts however displayed tremendous character and began to weather the storm. Some fine points from Colm Boyle, Josh Ronayne (2) and Keith Prendergast left three points in the game with seven minutes remaining. Knockmore pointed to go 2-9 to 0-11 up with three minutes left. Liam Kearns narrowed the gap to three again before he launched a long dangerous ball into the square and the inrushing Declan Healy flicked it to the net to the delight of the away team, mentors and supporters. Knockmore had a chance to win the game but a long range free dropped short and the spoils were shared.

All credit to all of the Davitts lads that fought manfully throughout this game. The stars on the day were Colm Boyle, Cathal Higgins, Colm Roche, Declan Healy, Keith Prendergast and man of the match Josh Ronayne.

Davitts: Micheal Mangan, Tommy Nolan, Cathal Higgins, Colm Roche, James Cummins, Colm Boyle (0-2), Johnno Clarke, Ronan McNamara (0-1), Sean Waldron, Declan Healy (1-0), Liam Kearns (0-1), Padraig Mangan, Cathal Hennelly, Josh Ronayne (0-6), Andrew Peters. Sub used: Keith Prendergast (0-2).

• By darraghmc
• In Match Reports

Davitts Minors captured the County E Title with a very hard fought extra time victory over a gallant Achill team in McHale Park. After the two sides finished deadlocked on 1-10 apiece, Davitts finally got on top in extra time to win by 2-13 to 1-10.

A fifth minute Ryan McLoughlin goal and three tidy Evan Ronayne points had Davitts ahead by 1-3 to 0-1 after ten minutes. Achill responded well and a fortuitous goal and two points had them on level terms midway through the first half. It was nip and tuck from then on and points from Niall Kearns, Shane Treacy and Conor Keane helped Davitts to a 1-6 to 1-5 interval lead.

Achill really put it up to Davitts in the second half but were finding it hard to breach the Davitts defence where the excellent Fahy brothers, Kieran and Denis, Jordan Flanagan, team captain Patrick Keadin, Keelan Cosgrove and Thomas Corless were putting in powerful shifts and goalie Mikey Kelly was coping well with anything that came his way. Two points from Evan Ronayne kept Davitts in front but with ten minutes remaining Achill took the lead for the first time in the game. The Davitts boys displayed their mettle and two more well taken points by Shane Treacy and Evan Ronayne saw them regain the lead with time running out but Achill fired over the equaliser with time almost up to snatch a draw.

Davitts took control of the game in extra time and another well taken Ryan McLoughlin goal was the only score in the first period. Evan Ronayne added three more points in the second period to clinch the victory.

As stated earlier, the entire backline performed brilliantly throughout the game. John Kilkenny and Niall Kearns worked themselves to a standstill at midfield. The hardworking duo of Daniel Huane and Shane Treacy were superb in the half forwardline with Evan Ronayne giving a point scoring masterclass at wing forward. Conor Keane was always a threat inside but he excelled when moved to midfield. Ryan McLoughlin was the hero, scoring the two goals, but he also worked very hard throughout the game. Subs Jamie Mullee, Jack Ronayne, Thomas Corless and Keelan Kilgallon all played their part in a great win.

Davitts: Mikey Kelly, Jordan Flanagan, Kieran Fahy, Denis Fahy, Patrick Keadin (capt), Keelin Cosgrove, John Kilkenny, Niall Kearns (0-1), Daniel Huane, Shane Treacy (0-2), Evan Ronayne (0-9), Conor Keane (0-1), Ryan McLoughlin (2-0). Subs used: Thomas Corless, Jamie Mullee, Jack Ronayne, Keelan Kilgallon.

• By darraghmc
• In Match Reports

Claremorris 0-12 Davitts 1-6

Claremorris hosted Davitts in this Senior League Div 1A Basement clash with the homeside coming out on top by three points after a tense battle. Davitts started well and got the first score in the sixth minute, a well taken goal by centre half back Cathal Higgins. Andy Peters added a point six minutes later before James Shaughnessy opened the Claremorris account in the 13th minute. Referee Mel Kenny disallowed a Liam Kearns goal for Davitts in the 16th minute, one of a number of decisions that infuriated the away supporters. Sean Diskin and James Shaughnessy pointed in the 18th and 19th minutes for the homeside before Colm Boyle pointed for Davitts after a great run two minutes later. Sean Diskin narrowed the gap to a point with the score of the game in the 22nd minute, a delightful dummy before pointing with the outside of his boot. The same player levelled the game in the 26th minute and the sides went in level at the break.

Andy Peters opened the second half scoring in the 2nd minute but points from James Shaughnessy (2) and Stephen Brennan put Claremorris into a two point lead after ten minutes. Points from Liam Kearns, Josh Ronayne and Colm Boyle saw Davitts regain the lead by the 16th minute. Davitts were on top at this stage but some poor shooting was to prove costly for them. James Shaughnessy pointed to equalise with ten minutes remaining and the same player, Mickey Mullins and Danny Broderick, on the stroke of full time, added points as Davitts kicked six bad wides in the final ten minutes.

Best for Claremorris were David Egan, Ger Commins, Brian Gallagher, Mickey Mullins, James Shaughnessy, John Hutton and Sean Diskin.

Micheal Mangan, Cathal Higgins, Colm Roche, Declan Healy, Colm Boyle, Liam Kearns and Andy Peters did best for Davitts.

Claremorris: Alvin McCallig, Brian Fahy, David Egan, James Stretton, Padraig Ring, Ryan Quirke, Ger Commins, Brian Gallagher, David O Reilly, Michael Gallagher, Stephen Brennan (0-1), Mickey Mullins (0-1), James Shaughnessy (0-6), John Hutton, Sean Diskin (0-3). Subs used: Ger Brady, Danny Broderick (0-1), Shane Prendergast.

Davitts: Micheal Mangan, Brian Clarke, Tommy Nolan, Kevin Gallagher, Johnno Clarke, Cathal Higgins (1-0), Colm Roche, Ronan McNamara, Declan Healy, Colm Boyle (0-2), Liam Kearns (0-1), Josh Ronayne (0-1), Sean Waldron, Andy Peters (0-2). Subs used: Michael Waldron, Liam Noone.

Referee: Mel Kenny (Westport).

• By darraghmc
• In Match Reports