Davitts 4-10  Castlebar B 5-9

A goal and two points in the last five minutes of this game gave victory to Castlebar in the U-15 G Championship in Ballindine on Sunday.

Two first half goals by Aaron O Dea and Aaron Conneely Basham helped Davitts to a 2-7 to 2-3 lead at the break. Aaron O Dea (2), Cillian Kearns (3), Aaron Conneely Basham and Tadhg Feerick were the point scorers for the home side in that first half.

An early goal and a point by the Mitchels in the first two minutes of the second half rocked Davitts but a superb Aaron Conneely Basham goal in the 34^th and a Noah O Brien point a minute later restored Davitts four point lead. The Mitchels goaled again in the 36^th minute and a 38^th minute point for them levelled matters. The visitors took the lead for the first time in the 40^th minute but an Aaron O Dea point and a Cillian Kearns goal had Davitts three up as the game entered the final quarter.

Mitchels pointed in the 47^th minute with Noah O Brien replying for Davitts in the 54^th minute. Davitts lost the influencial Aaron Conneely Basham just after this score and his loss was to prove crucial as Castlebar shot the game’s last three scores, a goal and two points, to snatch the win.

Davitts best players in this game were Sean Clarke, Tadhg Feerick, Aaron Conneely Basham, Noah O Brien, Aaron O Dea, Cillian Kearns, Dylan Gormally and Malachy Devane.

Davitts: Ronan Hett, Jason Boyle, Sean Clarke, Pierce Diskin, Tadhg Feerick (0-1), Luke Rattigan, Noah O Brien (0-2), Aaron Conneely Basham (2-1), Aaron O Dea (1-3), Cillian Kearns (1-3), Peter Kilkenny, Adam Rattigan, Dylan Gormally. Sub used: Malachy Devane.

Davitts 7-14  Achill 3-8

Achill’s U-15 team made the long journey to Ballindine on Tuesday evening to play Davitts in the first round of the Championship but found the hosts in uncompromising form as Davitts won rather convincingly.

A solid defence in which Sean Clarke and Tadhg Feerick were outstanding, a very dominant midfield pairing of Aaron Conneely Basham and Noah O Brien, and a razor sharp attack with Dylan Gormally (who scored six goals) and Aaron O Dea in top form were the keys to this victory.

Davitts had led by 3-8 to 1-4 at halftime with Dylan Gormally bagging all three goals and Aaron Conneely Basham (2), Luke Rattigan, Noah O Brien and Aaron O Dea (4) getting the points.

After Achill opened the second half scoring with a second minute point Davitts added three goals, two by Dylan Gormally and one by Cillian Kearns and three points by Aaron Conneely Basham, Aaron O Dea and a super Sean Clarke effort, in the next eight minutes.  Achill goaled again in the 41^st but Davitts replied with two points from Aaron Conneely Basham and Aaron O Dea and a sixth Dylan Gormally to complete their tally in the 50^th minute. Achill never gave up and the shot the last four scores of the game, one goal and three points, before the referee John Clancy blew the final whistle.

Davitts: Ronan Hett, Sean Clarke (0-1), Jason Boyle, Peter Kilkenny, Tadhg Feerick, Pierce Diskin, Aaron Conneely Basham (0-4), Noah O Brien (0-1), Aaron O Dea (0-7), Cillian Kearns (1-0), Luke Rattigan (0-1), Odhran O Conaire, Dylan Gormally (6-0). Subs used: Adam Rattigan, Malachy Devane.

Davitts 2-15  Parke Keelogues Crimlin 0-13

The scoreline suggests that this was a comfortable win for Davitts in the Senior League Division 2 final but, in all fairness, the result of this game was in the balance until the closing minutes of the game with two late Niall Treacy goals sealing the deal for the South Mayo men.

The first half was a very tentative affair and after PKC opened the scoring with a point in the third minute, a Jack Ronayne free two minutes later levelled the game. Jack Ronayne pointed again in the tenth minute but PKC replied in the next minute with a point. A brilliant Evan Ronane point in the thirteenth minute was followed by a neat 23^rd minute Darragh McGale point. In between those two scores Davitts players Ronan McNamara and Dmitry Trench collided heavily resulting in the temporary removal of Mac and the teak tough Dmitry being replaced five minutes later. Two PKC points in the 25^th and 27^th minutes levelled matters again but two more from Jack Ronayne in the closing minutes of the first half followed by a PKC point on the half time whistle left Davitts ahead by 0-6 to 0-5 at the break.

Darragh McGale opened the second half scoring with a Davitts point in the first minute but three PKC points in the next four minutes put them ahead for the first and only time in the game. Jack Ronayne equalised in the 36th minute and Fenton Kelly, a player of massive potential, restored Davitts lead a minute later. Two Niall Treacy points in the 40^th and 41^st minutes extended the lead before PKC pulled one back in the 42^nd minute.  Two superb points from Shane Treacy and Evan Ronane for Davitts were matched by two PKC points as the game came to life. A 48^th minute Jack Ronayne point was followed by a brilliant Niall Treacy goal, after great work by Ronan McNamara and Evan Ronane, in the 57^th minute as Davitts assumed control of the game. PKC shot two points but another Niall Treacy goal three minutes into injury time, after great work by Danny Corless, put Davitts seven points ahead and Liam Kearns finished off the game with another point before the final whistle.

Both teams will benefit from this very sporting game which, while lacking championship intensity, was an ideal preparation for the much more serious matters in two weeks time.

Davitts had a very competent goalie in Keith Prendergast with Micheal Hett, Cathal Higgins and Thomas Ronayne in fine form in the full back line. Jordan Flanagan was most impressive when he was introduced midway through the first half. Team captain Colm Boyle,as he always does, led by example getting great support from his wing men, Dmitry Trench and Aidan Macken. Ronan McNamara and Fenton Kelly (0-1) were an excellent midfield partnership. Up front the hard working Johnno Clarke, Evan Ronane (0-2) and Shane Treacy (0-1) formed a formidable half forward line and inside, Niall Treacy (2-2), Jack Ronayne (0-6) and Darragh McGale (0-2) were In tremendous form throughout the game. Substitutes Brian Clarke, Liam Kearns (0-1) and Danny Corless all showed up well when they were introduced.

The Neale 0-14  Davitts 3-6

Davitts travelled to Cong on Friday evening to contest the South Mayo Junior B final. A large crowd witnessed an exciting game, full of endeavour from two very well matched sides, with the visitors edging it by a point. At no stage of this game did more than two points separate the teams. It’s always said that goals win matches though, and three well taken second half efforts by the Davitts lads secured a hard earned victory for the team managed by Billy Kearns, Liam Griffin and Tommy Ronayne (BLT).

Davitts had wind advantage in the opening half and a first minute point by Liam Kearns was followed by a cagey and scoreless ten minutes before the homeside opened their account. The Neale took the lead in the 14^th minute and Liam Kearns equalised two minutes later. Again, when the Neale pointed in the seventeenth minute, Kearns replied to level the game and that process was repeated in the 21st and 22^nd minutes. Brian Clarke shot a fine point in the 24^th minute as Davitts regained the lead and a similar score by the homeside left the sides deadlocked on five points each at halftime, after a first half where both sets of defenders were impressing.

Davitts had introduced Liam Macken before halftime, and his twin brother Aidan for the second half, and both played major roles in this win after cutting short a holiday in Italy. The Neale fired over the first two points of the second half in the 31^st and 32^nd minutes but in the 34^th minute Davitts struck for their first goal. John Kilkenny’s well struck 45 hit the post and the wily Johnno Clarke was first to react and he coolly sidefooted the rebound past the Neale keeper to put his team back in front. The Neale reeled off three quickfire points in reply in the 35^th, 36^th and 37^th minutes before a great Liam Macken burst was stopped illegally in the square and referee Kevin Connelly had no hesitation in awarding Davitts a penalty. Liam Kearns held his nerve and slotted home the spot kick as Davitts found themselves back in the lead.

The Neale equalised in the 41^st minute with a well taken point but Shane Mitchell put the visitors back in front with an inspirational point in the 46^th minute. The two sides slugged it out over the next ten minutes but terrific defending at both ends of the pitch prevented any scores before The Neale shot points in the 56^th, 57^th and 58^th minutes as they looked set for victory. Davitts, showing great heart, were not finished however, and after a patient move involving several players, Ryan McLoughlin picked out the strong running Aidan Macken who crashed the ball to the back of The Neale net from twenty metres to score a goal of tremendous quality. The Neale tried their best to find an equalising point but Davitts were able to withstand all that was thrown at them in the three minutes of injury time as all fifteen players defended superbly.

Tristan Diskin was a solid goalkeeper and  Sean Feerick, Charlie Phillips, Jordan Flanagan, Fionnan Gallagher, Micheal Hett and Brian Birmingham were tigerish in defence. Johnno Clarke (1-0), Shane Mitchell (0-1) and Aidan Macken (1-0) did great work at midfield and their timely scores were crucial to the outcome of the game. Danny Corless, Brian Clarke (0-1), Brian Og McTigue (up until his precautionary retiral) and Liam Macken worked tirelessly as did Ryan McLoughlin, John Kilkenny and top scorer Liam Kearns (1-4). The introduction of Darragh McGale and John Costello in the final quarter added leadership and experience when Davitts needed it most.

Davitts captain Danny Corless was presented the cup afterwards by Michael Waldron representing the South Board.

Ballinrobe 3-18  Davitts 3-7

Davitts U-17 team got their County C Championship campaign off to a great start with a fine win away to Ballinrobe on Thursday evening. Both sides played fast attacking football and this was a really entertaining game to watch.

Davitts got off to a flyer with a Fionn McLoughlin goal in the first minute. The same player and Ciaran Treacy added quick points before the homeside got off the mark with a 4^th minute point. A brilliant Ethan Boyle point followed in the 6^th minute but a very well taken goal for Ballinrobe a minute later reduced the deficit to two points. Three Dylan Gallagher points and one from Fionn McLoughlin increased Davitts lead to five points by the 25^th minute. Ballinrobe shot points in the 26^th and 28^th minutes but were left reeling when Davitts centre back Aaron Trench goaled in the 29^th minute after a fine move. Ballinrobe had the last say in the first half though and shot their second goal on the stroke of half time to leave Davitts ahead by 2-7 to 2-3 at the break.

Fionn McLoughlin scored two points and Dylan Gallagher fired over another before Ballinrobe pointed in the 37^th minute. Dylan Gallagher and Mark Birmingham had two more Davitts points in the 39^th and 40^th minutes but a 44^th minute point followed by a goal in the 45^th minute gave the homeside renewed hope. Davitts replied with three points, two from Dylan Gallagher and one from Ronan Kelly before Ballinrobe pointed again in the 54^th minute. Davitts finished the game strongly with a Tadhg Feerick point and a goal and two minors from Dylan Gallagher before Ballinrobe got the final score of the game, a last minute point.

Davitts were very impressive in this game with Sean Meehan, Brian Hett, Sean Keadin, Aaron Trench (1-0), Noah O Brien, Ethan Boyle (0-1) and Conor McDermott superb in a defence well marshalled by the keeper Dylan O Brien. Team captain Mark Birmingham (0-1) had a powerful game at midfield alongside Burke Briere against a formidable Ballinrobe pairing. Up front, Dylan Gallagher (1-9), Fionn McLoughlin (1-4) and Ciaran Treacy (0-1) terrorised the home defence throughout the game with Ronan Kelly (0-1), Brian Corless and subs Tadhg Feerick (0-1), Aaron Conneely Basham and Fionn McTigue all making telling contributions.