In the interest of safety for all we are cancelling our Ireland Lights Up walk this evening. Weather permitting we will go ahead next Tuesday 14th at 7pm.
Irishtown 0-13 Ballindine 2-6
Irishtown deservedly captured the Michael Mooney Jnr. Memorial Cup, after an entertaining St. Stephen’s Day clash against Ballindine in Davitt Park. The large attendance was also treated to a most enjoyable running commentary by an enthusiastic and emotional Liam Griffin, the former manager of the Irishtown team. Well done to all involved, especially JP Kirrane, who does Trojan work organising this annual event.
The game, played over three fifteen minute periods, was surprisingly slow to take off, with both sets of defenders on top in the opening third. Gerald Griffin, Colm Roche and William Freeley scored for Irishtown, with Ballindine replying via Pat Coyne and Keith Glynn, as Irishtown led by 0-3 to 0-2 at the first break.
The second third saw Irishtown add points from Fearghal McGrath, Michael Waldron, Seamus Roche (2), Johnno Clarke and Gerald Griffin (2) to take their tally to 0-10 with Ballindine adding just two points, from the lively Richie Kilkenny, to double their score to 0-4.
Ballindine started the final third most impressively with an Andrew Peters point and an opportunistic goal flicked home by Richie O Connor in the first three minutes. Points from John Huane and Fearghal McGrath in the 35th and 36th minutes steadied things for Irishtown. Ballindine were getting on top now though and an Andrew Peters goal in the 41st minute and an equalising point from Richie Kilkenny, set up a grandstand finish. It was the Irishtown lads that got the winning point in the 45th minute of the game through Fearghal McGrath. Referee, Garryowen McMahon, blew the final whistle shortly afterwards and Michael Mooney presented the cup to his son Kieran, the joint captain of the Irishtown squad.
Irishtown squad: David Mitchell, Padraig Moran, John Huane (0-1), Michael Waldron (0-1), Johnno Clarke (0-1), Pat McGee, Matthew Nicholson, Tommy Mitchell, Alan Canny, Chris McTigue, Gerald Griffin (0-3), Michael Ronayne, Mark Ronayne, Dylan Keadin, Colm Roche (0-1), Cathal Moran, Derek Mooney, Kevin Cullina, Seamus Roche (0-2), William Freeley (0-1), Kevin Daly, Kieran Mooney (joint capt), Glendan Roche, Alan Roche, Tommy Nolan, Ger McWalter, Fearghal McGrath (0-3). Manager: Jimmy Roche.
Ballindine squad: Mark Diskin, Adrian McNamara, James Cummins, Andrew Peters (1-1), Anthony Gallagher, John Costello, John Heneghan, JP Kirrane, Keith Glynn (0-1), Lawrence Daly, Matthew Trench, Pat Coyne (0-1), Richie O Connor (1-0), Ryan McLoughlin, Richie Kilkenny (0-3), David McDonagh, James Joyce, Kevin Burke, Martin Sheridan, Paul Carey, Tom Murphy. Manager: Pat Kearns.
Well done to all that supported this year’s event. The proceeds will be used to support the former Davitts footballer, Martin Cosgrove, who now resides in County Armagh. Martin suffers from Primary Lateral Sclerosis, a rare neurological disease, and is now confined to a wheelchair.
Westport 2-13 Davitts 1-8
Westport advanced to the final of the county U-21 A championship after seeing off the Davitts challenge in Sunday’s semi-final played in Westport. The home team were much more efficient in attack as Davitts squandered several scoring chances throughout the hour.
Westport, with the assistance of the wind in the opening half, got off the mark early with points in the first and third minutes. A sixth minute Ronan Kelly point opened the Davitts account but the hosts cancelled out that score in the next minute. Another Ronan Kelly point in the tenth minute narrowed the gap to a point but Westport replied with points in the 12th and 16th minutes and a 13th minute goal, to open up a six point lead. Davitts, in contrast to the home team, were guilty of several poor misses and spurned four gilt-edged goal-scoring opportunities in the first half. Credit must go to the Westport defence for some impressive last gap interventions and their goalkeeper who pulled off some superb saves. Those saves included a 19th minute stop from a well-struck Jack Melvin penalty, after Ciaran Treacy was fouled in the box. Westport capitalised on this let-off and added another goal and two points in the next four minutes to go eleven points ahead. A Ronan Kelly point in the 25th minute, a well-taken Dylan Gallagher goal three minutes later and a 30th minute Jack Melvin point, narrowed the deficit to six. Westport shot the last point of the half in injury-time to lead by 2-8 to 1-4 at the break.
Jack Melvin pointed from distance in the third minute of the second half but Davitts shooting was erratic as Westport broke away and tagged on the next four points. Davitts were working tirelessly as they tried in vain to get through for goals but were thwarted by the vigilant Westport keeper. Ronan Kelly, Fenton Kelly and Davey Hennessy all pointed in the final quarter as Westport picked off two of their own to run out the eight point winners.
Brian Óg McTigue, Sean Keadin, Cathal Corless, Jack Melvin, Thomas Ronayne, Ronan and Fenton Kelly and Ciaran Treacy fought hard but it was one of those games when very little went Davitts’ way. Westport will now play Castlebar in what should be a very lively final.
Davitts: Dylan O’Brien, Brian Óg McTigue, Michael Hett, Brian Birmingham, Burke Briere, Cathal Corless, Sean Keadin, Fenton Kelly (0-1), Mark Birmingham, Jack Devane, Jack Melvin (0-2), Fionn McLoughlin, Ciaran Treacy, Dylan Gallagher (1-0), Ronan Kelly (0-4). Subs used: Thomas Ronayne, Davey Hennessy (0-1), Tadhg Feerick, Dylan Burke.