Davitts 1-11 Aghamore 1-7

Davitts Ladies captured the Mayo Division 3 League title with an excellent win over Aghamore in Bekan last Sunday. Davitts would have been overwhelming underdogs going into this game as Aghamore had defeated them by sixteen points in the group stage in Ballindine several weeks previously. A big crowd witnessed an entertaining and well-contested final with the Davitts girls coming out on top after a very determined display.

Aghamore played with the assistance of the strong wind in the first half and they led by 1-5 to 0-5 at the interval. The hard-working Davitts team, who defended brilliantly throughout, would have been the happier of the two sides at the break. Rebecca Waldron and Ciara Nyland were getting through a power of hard work in the middle of the field with tremendous support from Lianne Daly, Anna Roche, Catriona Ronayne, Ciara Clarke, Eilis Ronayne, Carrie Loftus and Lorna Bourke. The first half points were scored by Rebecca Waldron, Eilis Ronayne, Katie Melvin, Carrie Loftus and Lorna Bourke. One of the highlights of that first half was a miraculous goal-line clearance by Lianne Daly, using her experience of net-minding (reluctantly) last year, to great effect. Davitts had to play the closing minutes of the first half without Catriona Ronayne, the joint captain of the side along with Katie Melvin, who was yellow carded after a textbook Kinnick tackle, one that her father Tommy perfected throughout his own distinguished playing career.

Davitts started the second half in whirlwind fashion and they hit points from Rebecca Waldron and Ciara Clarke and a superb goal from Ciara Clarke to lead by two after the first five minutes of the half. Aghamore refused to lie down though and they battled away bravely as they weathered the early Davitts storm. They scored two points to level the game but Davitts finished the game impressively. Points from Rebecca Waldron, Lorna Bourke (2) and Megan Byrne put Davitts into a four point lead before referee Sean O’Neill blew the final whistle.

Áine Mangan had a fine game in goals with Edel Fahy, Lianne Daly and Niamh Corless forming an impressive full-back line. The strong-running Anna Roche and Sinead Heneghan drove Davitts on time after time while Catriona Ronayne defended as if her life depended on it. Rebecca Waldron (0-3) excelled at midfield alongside Ciara Nyland who got the player of the match award. Ciara Clarke (1-1), Carrie Loftus (0-1) and Sinead Payne-Treacy formed a very hard-working and effective half-forward line. County star Eilis Ronayne (0-1) covered every blade of grass in her play-anywhere role. The stylish Lorna Bourke (0-3) and Katie Melvin (0-1) kept the Aghamore defence on their toes while in Leah Judge, Aoife Meehan and Megan Byrne (0-1), Davitts had three excellent subs.

The other panel members were Niamh Meehan, Allanah O Dea, Kerina Feerick, Aoife Gill, Eilis McDermott, Katie Clarke, Grace Kelly, Aoife Ronayne, Roisin Kearns, Karen Bourke, Emma Corless, Ruby Prendergast and Saoirse Melvin.

Well done to the team management of Colm Roche, Johnno Clarke, Emer Hynes and Ruth Kearns.

Davitts 3-8  Claremorris 3-9

Davitts were narrowly defeated by a battling Claremorris team in the first round of the South Mayo Junior Championship in Ballindine on Thursday evening. The game was played in very difficult conditions and, after a forgettable first half, the teams sprung into life after the break with both sides playing some great football.

Davitts led by 0-5 to 0-2 at half-time after both sides were guilty of some sloppy play and very poor shooting in the first period. Ronan McNamara (3), Ronan Kelly and Jack Devane were the scorers for the home team.

Claremorris came out fighting after the break and they shot three points in the first five minutes of the second half to level matters. Davitts points in the next four minutes from Keith Prendergast, Ronan Kelly and a Ronan McNamara goal, following some neat approach play by Cian Naughton and Keith Prendergast, had them five clear and looking good. Ciaran Treacy extended the lead to six with a 40^th minute point but a scrambled Claremorris goal two minutes later gave them a much needed boost. Davitt responded to this setback with a fantastic goal by Jack Devane in the 41^st minute, finishing superbly after great play by Johnno Clarke and Fionn McLoughlin.

The visitors refused to lie down though and points in the 44^th and 45^th minutes and a 46^th minute goal brought them right back into the game. Ronan McNamara got his second and Davitts’ third goal of the game in the 50^th minute, after being set-up by Ronan Kelly, and Davitts went four points clear. A Davitts defensive error however, in the 52^nd minute was pounced on and punished by a Claremorris goal, and the visitors levelled the match with a 55^th minute point. Claremorris took the lead for the first time in the 58^th minute and that’s the way it remained until referee Johnny Burke blew the final whistle to end a thrilling encounter.

Conor McDermott, Danny Corless, Johnno Clarke, Aidan Macken, Cian Naughton, Ronan Kelly, Jack Devane and Ronan McNamara were very good for a Davitts team who will wonder how they managed to lose this tie.

Davitts: Tristan Diskin, Conor McDermott, Donie Ronayne, Sean Keadin, Johnno Clarke, Aidan Macken, Danny Corless, Cian Naughton, John Kilkenny, Ronan Kelly (0-2), Keith Prendergast (0-1), Fionn McLoughlin, Davey Hennessy, Ronan McNamara (2-3), Jack Devane (1-1). Subs used: Ciaran Treacy (0-1), Burke Briere, Liam Macken, Colm Roche.

Castlebar Mitchels 1-8  Davitts 1-12

Davitts travelled to Castlebar on Sunday to take on last year’s county semi-finalists Mitchels B in the first round of the intermediate championship and came away with the two points after a workmanlike display.

The first half was very well contested with the hosts being assisted by the wind. Davitts opened well and points from Mark Birmingham in the 4^th minute and a converted 45 by keeper Dylan O Brien four minutes later put them two ahead. Mitchels pointed in the 9^th minute but this was cancelled out almost immediately by the very impressive Dylan Gallagher. Mitchels pointed in the 14^th and 17^th minutes to level matters but Dylan Gallagher shot a classy 18^th minute point to put Davitts ahead again. Two points from the home side in the 23^rd and 24^th minutes saw them edge in front but Davitts hit two from Brian Óg McTigue and Dylan Gallagher to lead at the break by 0-6 to 0-5. The Davitts defending in that half was of a very high standard with Charlie Phillips, Kieran Fahy, Tommy Waldron, Brian Birmingham, Cathal Higgins and the evergreen Colm Boyle in exceptional form as the whole team displayed an admirable work-rate while Dylan Gallagher was proving to be a real thorn in the home side’s defence.

The key score of the game came in the 35^th minute. Charlie Phillips dispossessed a Mitchels forward and passed to Colm Boyle who quickly transferred to Fenton Kelly and his long foot pass was won by Dylan Gallagher who rounded his man and drilled in an excellent goal. The home team replied with a 37^th minute point but Dylan Gallagher in the 39^th minute, two from Liam Kearns in the 41^st and 44^th minutes and another from Niall Treacy in the 47^th saw Davitts open up a seven point lead. A 50^th minute Castlebar point narrowed the deficit to six but Niall Treacy fired over two in the 54^th and 56^th minutes. Mitchels kept plugging away and a 58^th minute point and a converted penalty in the 63^rd minute saw them finish the game well.

Davitts will be delighted to get their campaign off to a winning start. Tougher tasks lie ahead but getting over this potentially tricky tie was vital. Next up is a home game against Kiltimagh on Saturday week.

Davitts: Dylan O Brien (0-1), Brian Birmingham, Cathal Higgins, Kieran Fahy, Tommy Waldron, Colm Boyle, Brian Birmingham, Mark Birmingham (0-1), Fenton Kelly, Darragh McGale, Liam Kearns (0-2), Brian Óg McTigue (0-1), Dylan Gallagher (1-4), Niall Treacy (0-3), Shane Treacy. Subs used: Ciaran Treacy, Stephen Nyland, Michael Conroy, Jordan Flanagan, Fionn McLoughlin.

Davitts 0-10  Sarsfields Shamrocks 1-13

Sarsfields Shamrocks advanced to the County Minor B final after getting the better of Davitts in Ballindine on Tuesday evening. There was a large attendance to witness a very close match, the final scoreline flattering the winners, who scored a goal and point in injury-time.

The visitors, with a slight wind advantage, opened the scoring with a first minute point which was cancelled out less than a minute later by Ciaran Treacy. Sarsfields Shamrocks took the lead again almost immediately but Ciaran Treacy levelled it in the 4^th minute. Three SS points in the 5^th, 13^th and 15^th minutes put them three ahead. Davitts had a great goal chance in the 10^th minute but Ronan Kelly’s effort was scrambled clear off the line following super work by Aaron CB. A 16^th minute Aaron O Dea point and another from Ronan Kelly six minutes later closed the deficit to a single point. The Charlestown/Kilmovee combination finished the half with points in the 23^rd and 31^st minutes to lead by 0-7 to 0-4 at the break.

Davitts really upped it at the start of the second period and the first ten minutes of the half they fired over points via Ciaran Treacy (3) and Ronan Kelly to take the lead. Sarsfields Shamrocks were struggling but, with a few decisions beginning to go their way, they began to weather the storm. A 42^nd minute equaliser followed by three more in the 45^th, 48^th and 49^th minutes saw them open up a three point lead again. Ronan Kelly pointed in the 53^rd minute but the visitors did likewise two minutes later. Davitts threw everything into attack but the visitor’s defence remained solid. Ciaran Treacy and Sean Clarke were denied what looked like certain frees in before Ronan Kelly converted one in the 59^th minute to narrow the gap to two. As the game entered added on time, SS hit Davitts on the break and pointed in the 61^st minute. In the frantic closing two minutes, and Davitts trying desperately to get a match-saving goal, they got turned over and the visitors broke swiftly and ended the contest with a goal in the 63^rd minute. The final whistle followed shortly afterwards.

This Davitts squad, though short on numbers, have improved significantly throughout the season. The injured Fionn McTigue was a big loss in this game but the team gave it their all on the field with Ben Corless, Conor McDermott and Tadhg Feerick putting in big shifts in the full-backline in front of the solid keeper Dylan O Brien. Noah O Brien had a great game at centre back and was well assisted by his wing men, Odhran O Conaire and Aaron O Dea (0-1). Burke Briere and Dylan Burke edged the midfield battle with Sean Clarke, Ronan Kelly (0-4) and Cillian Kearns also doing very well in the middle third. Ciaran Treacy (0-5) had a superb game and was a constant threat up front. Aaron Conneely Basham and Dylan Gormley worked hard and substitute Brian Hett made a big impact when introduced.

Gaeil Na Daibheidí 9-9  Crossmolina 5-3

This U-14 E Championship matched was played in perfect conditions in Ballindine on Monday evening with the home side coming out on top after an entertaining hour’s football. GND started well with three points, two from the brilliant Niall Duggan and the third from Malachy Devane in the first nine minutes. The visitors shot their first score after fifteen minutes, a goal, to level matters. Crossmolina then added points in the 18^th and 19^th minutes to go two ahead. The last minutes of the half saw the home-side taking over and a Malachy Devane point and four well-taken goals from Kaden Heneghan, Tadhg Kirrane, Cormac Devane and Niall Duggan saw them race into a 4-4 to 1-2 lead by the interval.

In the first ten minutes of the second half the visitors scored 2-1 but Niall Duggan replied with 1-2 and Kaden Heneghan notched a point to leave the home-side ten points clear. Further goals from Niall Duggan (2) and points from that man Niall Duggan and Cormac Devane extended GND’s lead with time running out. The Crossmolina lads never gave up trying and they shot goals in the 58^th and 59^th minutes but the home-side had the final say with two brilliant goals from Tadhg Kirrane and Jack Duggan to finish the game well and qualify for the semi-final.

Adam Sheridan had a solid game in goals with Joe Trench, Cathal Cummins and Nathan Turner giving nothing away soft in the full-back line. Tom Roche, Jack Brogan and Ruarí O Dea formed a strong half-back line. Sean Prendergast and Malachy Devane (0-2) were impressive at midfield. Up front, Niall Duggan was the star of the show scoring 4-5 but Jack Mullaney, Cormac Devane (1-1), Kaden Heneghan (1-1), Seamus Byrne, Tadhg Kirrane (2-0) and Jack Duggan (1-0) all contributed well along with subs Carraig Kilkenny and Leo Corcoran.

Hollymount Carramore 3-11  Davitts 2-14 (AET, Hollycarra win 4-3 on penalties)

Davitts and Hollycarra met in a very exciting county Junior B Championship semi-final in Claremorris on Sunday. The two evenly matched sides finished level after extra-time and Hollycarra won the penalty shootout 4-3.

Hollycarra played with the assistance of the wind in the first half and they led by 1-6 to 0-4 at half-time. Jack Devane, Ronan McNamara and Michael Conroy (2) were the Davitts scorers. Davitts upped the ante considerably after the break and early points from Michael Conroy (2), Darragh McGale (2) and Mark Birmingham saw the sides level after 42 minutes. Hollycarra goaled in the 43^rd minute but this was cancelled out less than a minute later by a brilliant Darragh McGale goal, a neat finish after a fine move involving Stephen Nyland, Darragh McGale and Keith Prendergast. Davitts added points from Michael Conroy and Jack Devane in the 47^th and 49^th minutes. Hollycarra pulled one back in the 53^rd minute but two more Davitts points from Cian Naughton and Michael Conroy had them three ahead with the game going into injury-time. Disaster struck for Davitts in the 62^nd minute when an attempt for the insurance point was blocked down and Hollycarra broke for a late equalising goal in the last play of normal time.

Davitts got the perfect start in the first minute of extra-time with a Michael Conroy goal, after good approach play by Tommy Waldron and Keith Prendergast. Michael Conroy added a point in the 6^th minute but two Hollycarra points left Davitts ahead by two after the first period of extra-time. The second half saw Hollycarra dominate but poor shooting limited them to a brace of points in that second period while Davitts failed to score. This led to a penalty shootout which Hollycarra won 4-3 in sudden-death. Davey Hennessy, Darragh McGale and Stephen Nyland kicked the three successful Davitts spot-kicks.

Best for Davitts in this game were Tristan Diskin, Brian Birmingham, Cian Naughton, Stephen Nyland, Jack Devane, Michael Conroy, Darragh McGale and Mark Birmingham.

Davitts: Tristan Diskin, Brian Óg McTigue, Brian Birmingham, Patrick Keadin, Michael Hett, Donie Ronayne, Sean Keadin, Cian Naughton (0-1), Stephen Nyland, Jack Devane (0-2), Brian Clarke, Fionn McLoughlin, Fearghal McGrath, Ronan McNamara (0-1), Michael Conroy (1-7). Subs used: Keith Prendergast, Darragh McGale (1-2), Mark Birmingham, Johnno Clarke, Davey Hennessy, Tommy Waldron, Dmitry Trench, Danny Corless, John Kilkenny.