Davitts 1-14  Kiltane 1-9

Davitts retained their Senior Championship status with a hard fought but well deserved victory over Kiltane in the relegation play off match in Breaffy on Saturday. These games are nerve wrecking for all concerned but Davitts, thanks to a fine all round team display, came out on top while Kiltane will get another chance of survival when they play the losers of the Balla v Aghamore play off game.

Shane Treacy, revelling in his wing back role, opened the scoring with a first minute point. Ultan Corrigan equalised it a minute later. Johnno Clarke for Davitts and Kiltane’s Martin Gallagher swapped points in the 6^th minute before Mikey Sweeney fired over to put Kiltane ahead in the seventh minute. Davitts captain Josh Ronayne shot a levelling point in the 8^th minute and his brother Jack put Davitts back in front in the 12^th minute before Kiltane’s wing back Liam Donoghue pointed just before the water break to leave the sides level, 0-4 each, after the first quarter.

Josh Ronayne shot two good points for Davitts with Mikey Sweeney and Liam Donoghue replying for Kiltane as the sides went in level at half time.

Jack Ronayne opened the second half scoring with a 31^st minute point and and Ronan McNamara extended Davitts lead to two points in the 35^th minute with a long range free kick but a 37^th minute goal from Kiltane’s Martin Gallagher saw his side regain the lead. Niall Treacy equalised immediately and Kiltane were reduced to fourteen players with the dismissal of Adam Carabine for a second bookable offence in the 39^th minute. Josh Ronayne and Ultan Corrigan exchanged points before an Evan Ronane point put Davitts ahead again just before the second water break.

The next score proved to be the crucial one in the 51^st minute when a terrific long kick pass from Colm Boyle found Niall Treacy and while his goal effort was saved superbly by John McAndrew the rebound fell to Jack Ronayne who was fouled as he was about to shoot. Jack took the resulting penalty with as cool a kick as one could care to imagine. Niall Treacy and Fenton Kelly extended Davitts lead to five points as the game entered its closing stages. Mikey Sweeney hit two points for Kiltane and Josh Ronayne pointed with the last kick of the game to see his team survive.

Every Davitts player played their part in this victory with Kieran Fahy, Thomas Ronayne, Colm Boyle, Dmitry Trench, Josh Ronayne, Jack Ronayne, Fenton Kelly and Niall Treacy outstanding throughout.

Well done to the management team of Paul Carey, Shane Mitchell, JP Kirrane, Tom Murphy and Boyler for their Trojan work all year and also to goalkeeping coach Michael Kearns, physio Olive Treacy and statsman/videographer Noel Reapy.

Davitts: Keith Prendergast, Kieran Fahy, Cathal Higgins, Thomas Ronayne, Shane Treacy (0-1), Colm Boyle, Dmitry Trench, Ronan McNamara (0-1), Johnno Clarke (0-1), Josh Ronayne (0-5), Jack Ronayne (1-2), Fenton Kelly (0-1), Niall Treacy (0-2), Darragh McGale, Evan Ronane (0-1). Subs used: Cathal Hennelly, Patrick Keadin, Tommy Waldron, Brian Clarke.

Anybody interested in purchasing Davitts gear in time for Christmas should get their orders in before October 31st. Use the link below to view the catalogue and place your order…

https://link.mfc-sports.com/Link?link=MJ4DS8

Davitts 4-6  St. Brigids 2-8

Davitts Ladies got the better of St. Brigids in the County Junior final on Sunday in Bonniconlon after a very closely matched contest. The quality of football was of a high standard from both sides throughout with Davitts scoring goals at vital times to claim their first ever County title.

Katie Melvin opened the scoring in the 2^nd minute with a point for Davitts but a brace from Deirbhle McHale for St. Brigids in the 3^rd and fifth minutes put her side ahead. In the sixth minute Katie Melvin and Eilis Ronayne combined to set up the excellent Aoife Meehan for a Davitts goal to put them ahead again. Yvonne Gilroy pointed for Brigids in the ninth minute but four minutes later Aoife Meehan struck a Davitts point followed by a terrific goal after great work from the very influential Eilis Ronayne to put Davitts five points ahead. Brigids responded well though and an Yvonne Gilroy point was followed by a Megan Bilbow goal and an Ailbhe McHale point to leave the sides level at the first water break.

The second quarter was much cagier. Brigids regained the lead in the 26^th minute with a Megan Bilbow point but just on the stroke of half time, Eilis Ronayne goaled for Davitts, a great strike after Abbiegayle Ronayne and Rebbecca Waldron created the chance. This left Davitts ahead by 3-2 to 1-6 at halftime.

Ciara Nyland extended the lead in the 32^nd minute but a St. Brigids goal, cooly scored from the penalty spot after substitute Sarah McCormick was brought down, levelled the game again in the 38^th minute. A fine Rebecca Waldron point in the 45^th minute gave Davitts the lead again just before the second waterbreak. In the next minute a Ciara Nyland free kick ended up in the Brigids net and further points from Ciara Nyland and Katie Melvin put Davitts firmly into the driving seat.

Brigids needed a goal but stellar defending from the outstanding Waldron sisters, Michelle and Laura, Becky Kearns, Ciara Clarke and Eilis Ronayne meant that they were restricted to just two points in the final ten minutes as Davitts saw the game out well.

Brigids had great displays from Sorcha McGee, Aisling and Megan Bilbow, Aisling and Melanie Moyles, Yvonne Gilroy and Jacinta Munnelly.

Davitts: Laura Corless, Lianne Daly, Becky Kearns, Michelle Waldron, Edel Fahy, Laura Waldron, Aoife Conway, Sinead Heneghan, Rebecca Waldron (0-1), Ciara Clarke, Eilis Ronayne (1-0), Emma Corless, Aoife Meehan (2-1), Ciara Nyland (1-2), Katie Melvin (0-2). Subs used: Abbiegayle Ronayne, Bernie O Gara, Saoirse Melvin, Lorna Bourke.

St. Brigids: Emma Munnelly, Sinead McDonnell, Sorcha McGee, Saoirse Gallagher, Aisling Bilbow, Michelle Moyles, Melanie Moyles, Yvonne Gilroy (0-2), Megan Bilbow (1-2), Ava McDonnell, Deirbhle McHale (0-2), Ailbhe McHale (0-1), Jacinta Munnelly (1-1). Subs used: Sarah McCormick, Keeva McDonnell.

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Ballina 1-10  Davitts 0-6

Ballina advanced to the quarter finals of the Mayo Senior championship after defeating a battling Davitts team in the final group game in Charlestown on Sunday. The victory wasn’t as straight forward as the scoreline suggests but an unanswered goal and two points in the last ten minutes of the game saw Ballina through.

Josh Ronayne opened the scoring with a first minute point for Davitts but points from Dylan Thornton, Evan Regan and Ciaran Treacy in the next ten minutes saw Ballina ahead by two points. Josh Ronayne pointed in the 14^th minute and a trademark Ronan McNamara free kick from way out saw the sides level, 0-3 apiece, at the first water break. Davitts were playing well with Colm Boyle, Kieran Fahy and Cathal Higgins impressive in defence while Ronan McNamara and Johnno Clarke were edging the midfield battle. All of the forwards were working very hard to make life difficult for Ballina.

Johnno Clarke pointed in the 20^th minute to put Davitts ahead and Ronan McNamara extended that lead to two points in the 24^th minute with a monster of a free kick. Evan Regan pointed for Ballina in the 27^th minute to leave Davitts ahead by 0-5 to 0-4 at halftime.

Ciaran Treacy equalised for Ballina in the 37^th minute and points from Conor McStay in the 42^nd minute and Ciaran Sweeney two minutes later put Ballina into a two point lead at the second water break. Ballina were now winning the midfield battle as Davitts struggled to win possession in that sector.

Evan Regan put Ballina three ahead in the 49^th minute and Evan Ronane pulled a point back for Davitts in the fiftieth minute but this was to be Davitts last score. Ballina corner back David Tighe scored a fine point in the 52^nd minute. In the 54^th minute a promising Davitts attack broke down, referee Michael Daly dismissed Davitts appeals for a free in and Ballina capitalised with a fine counter attack ending up with Luke Doherty rounding Davitts keeper Keith Prendergast and shooting to the net. Ciaran Treacy scored the last point of the game in the 56^th minute as Ballina finished the game well.

Ballina will meet Westport in next week’s quarter final while Davitts will face Kiltane in the relegation semi-final in Breaffy next Saturday at 2pm.

Ballina: Gary Holmes, David Tighe (0-1), Ger Cafferkey, Ciaran Boland, Sean Regan, Padraig O Hora, Sam Callinan, Dylan Thornton (0-1), Jack Irwin, Ciaran Sweeney (0-1), Conor McStay (0-1), Luke Doherty (1-0), Kevin Newell, Evan Regan (0-3), Keith Tighe. Subs used: Ciaran Treacy (0-3).

Davitts: Keith Prendergast, Kieran Fahy, Cathal Higgins, Charlie Phillips, Thomas Ronayne, Colm Boyle, Dmitry Trench, Ronan McNamara (0-2), Johnno Clarke (0-1), Josh Ronayne (0-2), Jack Ronayne, Fenton Kelly, Niall Treacy, Darragh McGale, Evan Ronane (0-1). Subs used: Tommy Waldron, Patrick Keadin, Shane Treacy, Brian Clarke.

Claremorris 0-6  Davitts 0-6

Davitts and Claremorris U-18 teams will have to meet again to decide the winners of the South Mayo A title after they drew on Friday evening in the final in Claremorris. The game was played in terrible conditions and credit to both teams who slogged it out, with never more than a point separating the two well matched sides over the hour, to both earn the right to fight another day, hopefully in better conditions.

Claremorris drew first blood shooting the opening point of the game in the second minute. Davey Hennessy equalised in the fourth minute and Cathal Corless pointed in the 7^th minute to put Davitts ahead. Claremorris levelled it two minutes later and that’s the way it remained to the first water break with both sets of attackers finding it very difficult to make progress against the dogged defending they were encountering.

There were only two points scored in the second quarter of the game, Claremorris regaining the lead in the 22^nd minute and this score being cancelled out by Fenton Kelly in the 29^th minute to leave it 0-3 each at the interval.

The third quarter was an even tougher one for the forwards and there was only one score, a 41^st minute Dylan Gallagher point, secured in that period to see Davitts regain the lead.

After the second water break the play became a little more open and after Claremorris pointed in the 52^nd minute to level the game again, a good Jack Melvin point saw Davitts nose ahead a minute later. Claremorris equalised in the 54^th minute and a 57^th minute Cathal Corless point saw Davitts in front as the game reached a climax but Claremorris fought back again and they ensured that there would be a replay firing over a sixtieth minute point in a very exciting finish to the game.

Both sides had good goal chances, especially in the second half but Davitts Dylan O Brien and Claremorris keeper Aidan McGing were in top form throughout. A draw was probably the fairest result and the two teams will meet again in the replay in Ballindine next week.

Davitts had great performances from all of the defenders with Brian Og McTigue, Micheal Hett and Sean Keadin excellent in the full back line and the outstanding Conor McDermott, Thomas Ronayne and Brian Birmingham forming an impressive half back line. Cathal Corless (0-2) and Fenton Kelly (0-1) had a battle royal at midfield with their Claremorris opponents. This was not an evening for forwards but Mark Birmingham, Davey Hennessy (0-1), Fionn McLoughlin, Dylan Gallagher (0-1), Jack Melvin (0-1), Jack Devane and sub Bon Glynn, a lively second half addition, worked their socks off throughout the game.

Davitts 2-8  Ballintubber 2-15

Davitts hosted Ballintubber in the second round of the Senior Championship with the visitors running out the seven points winners in a game played in wet and windy conditions. Ballintubber, playing against the wind in the first half, got off to a flying start with three points from Noel Geraghty, Stephen O Malley and Jason Gibbons in the first four minutes. Davitts opened their account in the fifth minute when wing back Thomas Ronayne was pulled down in the penalty area and Jack Ronayne made no mistake from the spot to level the game. Evan Ronane kicked a fine point in the eighth minute to put Davitts in front. Noel Geraghty for Tubber and Davitts livewire Niall Treacy exchanged points before the first water break.

Ciaran Gavin equalised in the 20^th minute and a fine goal finished by Damian Coleman two minutes later put his side ahead by three. Bryan Walsh pointed in the 26^th minute to extend Ballintubber’s lead and Evan Ronane pointed just before the break to leave Ballintubber ahead by 1-6 to 1-3 at halftime.

Davitts got off to a good start in the second half with a Darragh McGale point in the 31^st minute. This score seemed to spur on the visitors and they shot an unanswered 1-6 in the next ten minutes.  Bryan Walsh finished the goal with Stephen O Malley (2), Alan Plunkett (2), Ciaran Gavin and Noel Geraghty shooting the points. Davitts scored three points in a row from Ronan McNamara, Josh Ronayne and Jack Ronayne before Alan Plunkett pointed for Ballintubber to leave them ahead by 2-13 to 1-7 at the second water break.

Diarmuid O Connor and Stephen O Malley scored Ballintubber points in the 54^th and 55^th minutes with Josh Ronayne pointing for the home side in the 56^th minute. The final score of the game was supplied by Niall Treacy who went on a jinking run before blasting the ball to the net in the 59^th minute.

Ballintubber showed why they are one of the favourites to win the Championship this year and the had fine performers in Damian Coleman, Michael and Alan Plunkett, Hugh Geraghty, Jason Gibbons, Bryan Walsh and Stephen O Malley.

Davitts, who battled well up to the final whistle, had solid displays from Cathal Higgins, Thomas Ronayne, Dmitry Trench, Colm Boyle, Jack Ronayne and Niall Treacy.

Ballintubber: Frank Walsh, Gary Loftus, Brian Murphy, Finian Burke, Damian Coleman (1-0), Michael Plunkett, Hugh Geraghty, Diarmuid O Connor (0-1), Jason Gibbons (0-1), Keelan McDonnell, Noel Geraghty (0-3), Bryan Walsh (1-1), Ciaran Gavin (0-2), Stephen O Malley (0-4), Alan Plunkett (0-3). Subs used: Myles Kelly, Joe Geraghty.

Davitts: Keith Prendergast, Kieran Fahy, Cathal Higgins, Thomas Corless, Thomas Ronayne, Tommy Waldron, Dmitry Trench, Ronan McNamara (0-1), Colm Boyle, Josh Ronayne (0-2), Jack Ronayne (1-1), Fenton Kelly, Niall Treacy (1-1), Darragh McGale (0-1), Evan Ronane (0-2). Subs used: Patrick Keadin, Cathal Hennelly, Shane Treacy, Micheal Hett, Johnno Clarke.