2020 was a year like no other Davitts had seen before. This was due to the COVID-19 global pandemic. The challenges we had to meet as a club and community have been extremely difficult .I must commend the Senior players, committee members and club members who volunteered in the “Club together” initiative during the Covid -19 lockdowns , helping deliver groceries and prescriptions to the elderly and vulnerable in our community.

In the first few months of 2020 playing any type of football season was in serious doubt. However after the first lockdown, numbers of COVID-19 fell dramatically and thus opened a window for a shortened club season, one which was greatly welcomed by both players and supporters. It was disappointing that clubs in Mayo voted against running the league and instead opted for Michael Walsh competition.

2020 was our ninth season consecutive season in senior football. On the second of August we welcomed Moy Davitts to Davitt Park in conditions that were less than ideal for football. A heavy rain and strong breeze made for a tight and tense game. Davitt’s had the better first half and lead at the break 0-6 to 0-5. The match stayed close throughout, Davitt’s missed some opportunities to pull away during the match and will have felt another day they could have won. Moy Davitts though took their opportunities and kept the game close and deserved their draw.

A draw in the groups other game between Aghamore and Ballintubber left the group wide open. Davitt’s then travelled to Aghamore for their second game. Davitts had a sluggish start and this gave the home side a six point advantage which they never relinquished. Davitt’s battled well in the second half and brought the game within three points, but great Aghamore forward play saw them extend their lead in the final quarter and win 0-19 to 0-12.

Finally Davitt’s travelled to Ballinrobe to take on County champions Ballintubber in ther final group game. It was not our best game and poor decision making on the ball cost Davitts as Ballintubber showed their class and why they were county champions the previous year winning 1-16 to 0-5. Davitt’s placed third in their group and were safe from relegation.

I would like to thank our Senior Management team of Padraic Cosello, Joe Reapy, Paul Carey, Seamus Roache and Dara O Flaitharta for all their hard work and dedication. Most people don’t realise the amount of time and effort that goes into preparing and fielding a senior team these days.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Padraic Costello for all his work as he stepping down as senior manager after two years. In his first year we had a solid league campaign and an excellent championship campaign getting to our first senior quarter final in over twenty years. He has brought many young players into our senior team and we will reap the benefits of this in the years to come.

After relagation last year, our strong junior team would have had expectations of bouncing back to division four. This year due to Covid no league football was played in Mayo which was disappointing for all involved. A mixed year with a win away to Kilmaine and loses to Claremorris and Hollymount/ Carramore in the South Mayo championship. The Junior championship has been postponed due to the current lockdown. They will be hoping for more games next year in a league campaign to better prepare for championship. It is vital for our club to have a strong junior team to help young players develop and progress onto our senior team.

The minor team this year had an exceptional year. They had some tough games in their group . However once they got out of the group with each game they grew in confidence and skill. They defeated Carras in the South Mayo B final 3-12 to 0-10. In the county Semi Final they faced an extremely tough and dogged Cill Chomain. The game was well balanced for most but prevailed on a score line of 4-13 to 2-11.

In the County Minor B final they faced a strong Balla. Davitts set the pace right from the throw in and raced into an eight point lead, a lead which was never in doubt throughout the match. The football Davitt’s played that day was immense, the movement both on and off the ball, angles of running, quick transitions from defence to attack , it was a pleasure to watch. Davitt’s ran out comfortable winners 5-15 to 1-7.

A minor team bursting with such talent boasts well for the club going further. I would like to thank the management team of Liam Nyland, Derek Byrne, Lawrence Daly Jnr, Tommy Ronanye and Declan Kirrane for all their effort in training and preparing this team.

The U-16, U-14 and U-12 teams had mixed success this year, but all enjoyed the chance to play football and gained valuable experience. I would like to thank all the management teams over all the various teams in the club but especially the underage teams from U-6 all the way to minor. The time and hard work these people put into developing players from a young age is vital to the success of the club. Their work must never be underestimated. It takes a lot of dedication and time to train teams and I just want to remind them how much they are appreciated within the club. If any member is interested in coaching or helping out with a team please feel free to contact me for more information at secretary.davitts.mayo@gaa.ie .

I would like to take this oppourtunity to thank all our various sponsors from the local community for their continued support. A special mention must go to two of our sponsors this year. One is Danny Mchugh owner of Supermacs Ballindine. Danny helped sponsor our new LED Scoreboard which is the envy of other clubs in the local area. Our other sponsor is of course our main sponsor P. Mchugh & Sons Builders who as always are extremely supportive of the club.

A big thanks to all our committee members and all the sub committees who work tirelessly to improve our facilities in the club. Our facilities are often commented on as excellent and this would not be the case without all your hard work. Every year we try and upgrade our facilities. This year works were completed on a new walkway for our members around the pitch. I would like to thank all the volunteers that helped in creating this walkway. A special thank you to Darren Mchugh who loaned machinery free of charge to complete the walkway. At the same time the pitch was widened and extended and I would like to thank Frank Fahey for his excellent work on this.

Thanks to John Noone for all his hard work on both the main and training pitch ,they are always in the best condition possible thanks to him. Thanks to Lucy Daly for the upkeep of the Clubhouse.

Thanks to Darragh McGale for all his work on the club’s upgraded website and to Joe Reapy for his work on the website and social media in his role as club PRO.

A Huge thank you to all our members who sold and bought the €100 Club and County Draw tickets, our numbers sold this year remain high and these help greatly to finance the club.

This year our Presto was suspended due to Covid-19 in the interests of community safety for a few months. I would like to thanks to all who sell tickets for our Presto and those that support the Presto every week. Unfortunately Presto sales have fallen due to Covid-19 and inability to sell face to face in businesses and bars. I would ask members to please support our Presto online .Members can sign up online through our website https://davittsgaa.com/presto-lotto/ .The support we get from the local community is immense and it is greatly appreciated.

Thanks to Garryowen McMahon for representing the club as a referee and to his team of umpires.

Davitt’s GAA would Like to extend sympathies to all those with connections to the club who passed away this year.

A special mention must go to the members of the Senior team who ran a very well organised Last Man Standing Competition. They managed to raise a significant sum of money which will be used to purchase gym equipment to further enhance our excellent gym facilities.

At the time of writing this report we have no senior management in place but are currently looking for a manager who will provide the necessary discipline, organisation, coaching and game management that will allow us to strengthen our position as a senior team. The recruitment process to appoint a new Senior Manager is currently underway; we hope to have this in place in the coming weeks.

I would like to wish Colm Boyle and the Mayo team the very best of luck in the All Ireland Final.

In closing I hope 2021 brings a quick roll out of the vaccine and elimination of Covid-19 in our country, a return to normality both in our community and the GAA and a successful season for Davitt’s GAA at Senior , Junior and underage levels. I wish all members a healthy and happy 2021.

John Costello

Rúnaí: Seán Mac Coisteala