Castlebar Mitchels 2-14  Davitts 2-10

Davitts and Castlebar met in the semi-final of the county u-21 A championship in Ballindine on Sunday and it was Castlebar who prevailed, after a cracking match, winning by four points. The big crowd that attended were treated to a fine exhibition of football but the Mitchels won due to possessing a more economical attacking unit.

Castlebar shot the opening point in the first minute, a score that was cancelled out thirty seconds later by the excellent Niall Treacy. Niall Treacy put Davitts ahead in the 2^nd minute and Dylan Gallagher fired over in the 5^th minute to put the homeside two up. The Mitchels knew they were in for a test and they responded superbly with a well-worked goal in the 6^th minute. Things settled down after that frantic start and in the next fifteen minutes both teams added two points to their tallies, Dylan Gallagher and Niall Treacy the Davitts marksmen. Davitts were spurning a number of good scoring chances and Castlebar made them pay. They goaled again in the 24^th minute and added a point seconds later. A fourth Niall Treacy point in the 27^th minute brought the first half scoring to a close with Castlebar ahead by 2-5 to 0-6 at the break.

Davitts needed a good start to the second half and they got it when awarded a 32nd minute penalty after an infringement in the small square. Midfielder Jack Melvin calmly sent the Mitchels keeper the wrong way to convert and close the gap to two points. Mitchels pointed within a minute but this was cancelled out almost immediately by Niall Treacy. Castebar pointed four times between the 39^th and 48^th minutes and looked like they would pull away. Davitts showed great fighting spirit though and driven on by Charlie Phillips, Thomas Ronayne and Fionnan Gallagher they pulled three back through Dylan Gallagher (2) and Fionnan Gallagher to narrow the deficit to three. In the 59^th minute a searing run through the Mitchels defence by Niall Treacy was ended with him being pulled down crudely but the ref didn’t give the free-in (or black card) and Mitchels went upfield and pointed themselves. They added points in the 62^nd and 64^th minutes. Fenton Kelly blasted a 20 metre free-in to the Castlebar net a minute later but, in one last attack Castlebar pointed again, to win a great match by a four point margin.

Davitts had great performances from Charlie Phillips, Fionnan Gallagher, Thomas Ronayne, Brian Birmingham, Jack Melvin, Conor McDermott, Dylan Gallagher and Niall Treacy but all of the players showed a great workrate and fight. With thirteen of the starting fifteen young enough to compete at this level again next year, the future looks bright. Castlebar will play Claremorris in the county final next week.

Davitts: Dylan O Brien, Micheal Hett, Charlie Phillips, Sean Keadin, Fionnan Gallagher (0-1), Thomas Ronayne, Brian Birmingham, Fenton Kelly (1-0), Mark Birmingham, Brian Og McTigue, Fenton Kelly (1-0), Conor McDermott, Dylan Gallagher (0-4), Fionn McLoughlin, Niall Treacy (0-5). Subs used: Ciaran Treacy, Zack Keadin, Sean Feerick, Jack Trench, Joe Prendergast.

Davitts 3-11  Ballinrobe 0-12

Davitts U-21 team ensured they qualified for the knockout stages of the A Championship following a hard-earned victory over Ballinrobe on Sunday morning. The game was played in Cong and while the playing conditions were far from perfect, both teams need to be lauded for serving up a very good game for the early risers that attended (10 am throw-in!).

A point for Ballinrobe after thirty seconds was cancelled out by Jack Trench two minutes later. Dylan Gallagher, who had a superb game, popped over another Davitts point in the 4^th minute and in the 7^th minute Davitts got the first of their three goals. A brilliant move involving several players was finished to the net by wing-back Brian Birmingham, who applied a cool finish to the bottom corner. In the 10^th minute Jack Melvin slotted goal number two, after great work by Conor McDermott and Dylan Gallagher. Ballinrobe shot four unanswered points between the 13^th and 20^th minutes to reduce the deficit to three points. Ballinrobe were winning plenty of possession but the Davitts attack was extremely efficient. Dylan Gallagher pointed in the 23^rd minute and Fionn McLoughlin extended Davitts lead to four with a 25^th minute point. Ballinrobe scored two more in the final couple of minutes to leave Davitts ahead by 2-4 to 0-8 at half-time.

Ballinrobe scored the first point after the break but Davitts scores from the hard-working Niall Treacy and Jack Melvin in the 33^rd and 37^th minutes put their side ahead by three. Niall Treacy pointed again in the 40^th minute but Ballinrobe scored two in the 43^rd and 46^th minutes to close the gap to two points. They were denied a goal to take the lead by a fantastic save from Davitts excellent keeper Dylan O Brien. Terrific defending by Davitts ensured that Ballinrobe didn’t score for the remainder of the game. Ciaran Treacy, a most impressive sub, linked up with Zack Keadin to point in the 47^th minute and Dylan Gallagher shot three more as the Ballinrobe challenge petered out. The final score of the game was the third Davitts goal finished to the net by Fionn McLoughlin after a goalmouth scramble in the sixth minute of added on time.

This Davitts win saw them top the group on score difference over Claremorris. Both teams are awaiting the draw for the knockout phase. Davitts stand-out players in this game were Charlie Phillips, Sean Keadin, Thomas Ronayne, Jack Melvin, Dylan Gallagher, Fionn McLoughlin, Niall Treacy and Conor McDermott.

Davitts: Dylan O Brien, Micheal Hett, Charlie Phillips, Sean Keadin, Fionnan Gallagher, Thomas Ronayne, Brian Birmingham (1-0), Mark Birmingham, Jack Melvin (1-1), Brian Og McTigue, Fionn McLoughlin (1-1), Jack Trench (0-1), Dylan Gallagher (0-5), Niall Treacy (0-2), Conor McDermott. Subs used: Ciaran Treacy (0-1), Zack Keadin, Sean Feerick, Ronan Kelly.

Garrymore 2-9  Davitts 1-11

Garrymore hosted Davitts on Friday night in what turned out to be a very competitive and entertaining match, in the South Mayo junior A championship semi-final, in front of a good attendance. The home side won although they had to withstand a storming late finish from a Davitts side that were a little unlucky, not to at least salvage a draw, in those frenetic closing moments.

Dylan Gallagher opened the scoring with a Davitts point in the first minute. Garrymore replied with two quick points before Michael Conroy (yes, that Michael Conroy!) equalised in the 4^th minute. Fionnan Gallagher, outstanding throughout the game, pointed in the 11^th minute as did Michael Conroy thirty seconds later to go two ahead. Garrymore pulled one back in the 13^th minute but Colm Roche restored Davitts two point advantage with a brilliant 19^th minute effort after a slick move involving several players. Brian Og McTigue, another Davitts player that excelled, pointed in the 29^th minute, sandwiching two similar scores from the homeside, to leave Davitts ahead by 0-6 to 0-5 at the half-time break.

Garrymore got on top in the 3^rd quarter and points in the 33^rd, 40^th and 41^st minutes saw them go two clear. Dylan Gallagher replied with a Davitts point in the 42^nd minute but a well worked Garrymore goal in the 44^th minute and a point two minutes later saw them go five up. Davitts rallied and a Dylan Gallagher point narrowed the gap. Davitts began to throw everything into the attack but got hit with a sucker punch, a 52^nd minute breakaway goal by the locals. Davitts got a penalty but Dylan Gallagher’s spot kick was well saved by the impressive Garrymore goalkeeper. The away team rallied gamely though, driven on by Fionnan Gallagher, Mark Birmingham, Brian Og McTigue, Colm Boyle, Colm Roche and Zack Keadin. Brian Og McTigue scored a well-worked goal in the 55^th minute and when Dylan Gallagher, Fionnan Gallagher and Zack Keadin added points in the next five minutes, there was just the minimum separating the sides as the game went into injury time. Fionn McLoughlin also had a rasping shot for goal saved in those nail-biting final minutes but the homeside hung on to advance to the final.

Davitts: David Mitchell, Brian Birmingham, Lawrence Daly, Sean Keadin, Jack Trench, Colm Boyle, Brian Og McTigue (1-1), Fionnan Gallagher (0-2), Mark Birmingham, Steve Nyland, Dylan Gallagher (0-4), Zack Keadin (0-1), Davey Hennessy, Michael Conroy (0-2), Colm Roche (0-1). Sub used: Fionn McLoughlin.

Davitts 2-9  Knockmore 0-10

Davitts and Knockmore met in the U-17 C Grading League final in Ballindine on Sunday morning. Two opportunistic goals, one in each half, by Aaron O Dea, proved to be the difference between two well matched teams.

Knockmore shot three points in the first ten minutes of the game before Davitts midfielder Dylan Burke settled his side’s nerves with a classy point in the 11^th minute. Ronan Kelly pointed for Davitts in the 13^th minute but Knockmore scored again in the 16^th minute to go two ahead. In the 18^th minute Davitts excellent goal-keeper Dylan O Brien pointed a 45 and then pulled off a top class save less than a minute later. A Knockmore point in the 22^nd minute restored their two point advantage but Davitts finished the half strongly. Two Ronan Kelly points in the 24^th and 26^th minutes levelled it and in the 28^th minute Aaron O Dea netted his first goal, first timing to the net after Dylan Burke had blocked down an attempted clearance. This left the home side ahead by 1-5 to 0-5 at half-time.

Two brilliant points from Tadhg Feerick and Aaron CB in the first three minutes of the second half extended Davitts lead to five. Knockmore got a point in the 36^th minute but were left reeling when Aaron O Dea flicked a long range Ronan Kelly free kick to the net. Knockmore, as always, were not going to go down without a fight, and they shot four unanswered points between the 40^th and 48^th minutes to reduce the deficit to three points. Davitts defended very well though and kept the visitors scoreless after that while adding two more points to their tally scored by Aaron O Dea and team captain Ciaran Treacy.

Dylan O Brien was extremely confident in goals. Tadhg Feerick gave a man of the match performance with Conor McDermott controlling the game from centre half-back. Ben Corless had a super match in the corner while Sean Clarke, Noah O Brien and Brian Hett also defended very well. At midfield, Burke Briere and Dylan Burke both worked tirelessly from start to finish. Two goal hero, Aaron O Dea, Ronan Kelly and Aaron CB formed an effective half forward-line. Full forward Ciaran Treacy put in a hard-working shift and got good support from Fionn McTigue and Dylan Gormley. Subs Cillian Kearns and Odhran O Connaire played their parts when introduced in the second half.

Well done to the management team of Lawrence Daly, Frank Kelly, Padraig Moran and Liam Nyland.

Dylan O Brien (0-1), Ben Corless, Sean Clarke, Brian Hett, Noah O Brien, Conor McDermott, Tadhg Feerick (0-1), Burke Briere, Dylan Burke (0-1), Aaron O Dea (2-1), Ronan Kelly (0-3), Aaron Conneely Basham (0-1), Fionn McTigue, Ciaran Treacy (0-1), Dylan Gormley. Subs used: Cillian Kearns, Odhran O Connaire.

Davitts 0-12  Claremorris 0-12

The big crowd that attended this county U-21 A championship match in Ballindine on Sunday were treated to a full blooded encounter between two very evenly matched sides, with the result in doubt right up to the last second. The game ended on a controversial note with the referee blowing the full time whistle as Davitts forward Dylan Gallagher was winding up a shot for a potential match winning point, much to the annoyance of the home team and supporters. When the dust settled, a draw was possibly a fair result with Davitts well on top in the first and final quarters of the game and Claremorris dominating the thirty minutes in between.

Fenton Kelly opened the scoring with a long range point in the first minute and Niall Treacy added two more before Claremorris got off the mark with a 7^th minute point. Niall Treacy was proving to be a difficult man to contain and he pointed again in the 10^th minute. A Claremorris point in the 14^th minute was cancelled out by a tidy score from the excellent Conor McDermott to put Davitts three ahead but four unanswered points from Claremorris saw them lead by 0-6 to 0-5 at half-time.

Niall Treacy equalised in the 4^th minute of the second half but four more Claremorris scores put them four points ahead and looking the likely winners as the game entered the final quarter. Davitts though showed great resolve and Niall Treacy narrowed the gap with a 45^th minute point. The home-side were getting on top around the middle of the field and points from Niall Treacy, Dylan Gallagher and Fenton Kelly tied the game with nine minutes of normal time remaining. Claremorris took the lead again in the 54^th minute and they added another in the 57^th but a massive Fenton Kelly free kick a minute later ensured a grandstand finish. Davitts had all the momentum now and Dylan Gallagher, after patient build up play, shot a superb equaliser in the 61^st minute. Niall Treacy had a chance to win it but he shot wide. Davitts won the resultant kick-out and brilliant defending from the Claremorris lads denied the home team a clear scoring attempt until Dylan Gallagher’s chance with almost three minutes injury time played, but the final whistle went before he could shoot, to the relief of the Claremorris supporters.

Brian Og McTigue, Sean Keadin, Thomas Ronayne, Sean Feerick, Fenton Kelly, Conor McDermott and Niall Treacy starred for Davitts with Charlie Phillips and Ciaran Treacy making telling contributions when introduced in the second half.

Davitts: Dylan O Brien, Brian Birmingham, Brian Og McTigue, Sean Keadin, Fionnan Gallagher, Thomas Ronayne, Sean Feerick, Fenton Kelly (0-3), Mark Birmingham, Conor McDermott (0-1), Jack Trench, Joe Prendergast, Dylan Gallagher (0-2), Jack Melvin, Niall Treacy (0-6). Subs used: Burke Briere, Zack Keadin, Charlie Phillips, Ciaran Treacy.

Davitts 2-13  Kilmeena 0-6

Davitts played host to Kilmeena on Sunday morning in the U-17 Grading League and, after a slow start, had a convincing win. After Ronan Kelly opened the scoring with a 3^rd minute point, Kilmeena replied with two scores in the 4^th and 12^th minutes to take the lead. A Dylan O Brien 45 found its way to the Kilmeena in the 16^th minute with Ciaran Treacy pointing for the home-side a minute later. A 25^th minute Kilmeena point was followed by two Ronan Kelly points and another one from Ciaran Treacy, on the stroke of half-time, to leave Davitts ahead by 1-5 to 0-3 at the break.

Ronan Kelly, Tadhg Feerick and Aaron O Dea got the first three points of the second half. Kilmeena pulled one back in the 37^th minute but a brilliant goal in the 40^th minute effectively killed off the game. It came after a great passing move involving Ronan Kelly, Tadhg Feerick and Dylan Gormley and ended with an emphatic finish from Ciaran Treacy. Two Aaron O Dea points in the 42^nd and 44^th minutes extended Davitts lead to twelve points. The visitors pointed in the 47^th and 54^th minutes but Aaron O Dea and Ronan Kelly (2) did likewise as Davitts eased their way to victory.

Dylan O Brien, Sean Clarke, Conor McDermott, Tadhg Feerick, Burke Briere, Aaron O Dea, Ronan Kelly and Ciaran Treacy were impressive for Davitts.

Davitts: Dylan O Brien (1-0), Ben Corless, Sean Clarke, Brian Hett, Noah O Brien, Conor McDermott, Tadhg Feerick (0-1), Burke Briere, Dylan Burke, Aaron O Dea (0-4), Ronan Kelly (0-6), Aaron Conneely Basham, Fionn McTigue, Ciaran Treacy (1-2), Dylan Gormley. Subs used: Cillian Kearns, Odhran O Connaire.

Davitts 1-10  Claremorris 1-6

Davitts got the better of near neighbours Claremorris in the South Mayo Junior Championship after a close game played in Ballindine on Saturday evening. A Davitts goal scored by Dylan Gallagher in the 59^th minute finally put an end to the stubborn challenge of the Claremorris lads.

The first half was very cagey and after Dylan Gallagher gave Davitts the lead in the opening minute, Claremorris replied with a second minute point and a goal after eight minutes. The remainder of the half saw both sets of defenders coming out on top and there were only two more scores in that period, points from Mark Ronayne and Sean Feerick (both half-backs) for the home team. Davitts were unlucky not to score a goal in the 26^th minute when Stephen Nyland flicked a long Liam Kearns delivery off the post.

Claremorris extended their lead with a 39^th minute point but two similar Dylan Gallagher scores in the 41^st and 43^rd minutes levelled it. Claremorris took the lead again in the 45^th minute but two points from Dylan Gallagher and a great Aidan Macken scored point in the 51^st minute saw Davitts go two up. A Claremorris point in the 52^nd minute was cancelled out by Mark Birmingham three minutes later. The crucial score came in the 59^th minute with Davitts sub Joe Prendergast and Brian Birmingham linking up well to set up a goal chance for Dylan Gallagher and he duly obliged, giving the Claremorris keeper no chance. Claremorris pointed again in the 63^rd minute and again in the 66^th minute, sandwiching a fine Fionnan Gallagher point, as the home side took the spoils.

Brian Birmingham, Mark Ronayne, Sean Feerick, Mark Birmingham, Brian Og McTigue and Dylan Gallagher played well for Davitts but the second half introductions of Cian Naughton, Fionnan Gallagher and Joe Prendergast proved to be a masterstroke from Davitts astute management team of Billy Kearns, Tommy Ronayne and Padraig Mangan.

Davitts: Dave Mitchell, Brian Birmingham, Jordan Flanagan, Sean Keadin, Aaron Trench, Mark Ronayne (0-1), Sean Feerick (0-1), Aidan Macken (0-1), Mark Birmingham (0-1), Stephen Nyland, Liam Kearns, Brian Og McTigue, Dylan Gallagher (1-5), Colm Roche, Zack Keadin. Subs used: Cian Naughton, Fionnan Gallagher (0-1), Joe Prendergast, Lawrence Daly.

Carras 0-12  Davitts 1-7

Davitts and Carras played the South Mayo U-17 B final on Friday night in the Dome in Bekan, with Carras coming out on top by two points after a well fought match. The Carras attack were a little more efficient over the hour but this result was in doubt right up to the final whistle.

Davitts got off to the perfect start and a slick passing move involving Conor McDermott, Dylan Gormley, Aaron CB and Ciaran Treacy ended with the latter being hauled down in the penalty area in the first minute. Treacy himself coolly slotted home the spot kick sending the keeper the wrong way. Carras pointed in the 3^rd minute but three unanswered Davitts points by Ciaran Treacy and Ronan Kelly (2) between the eighth and eleventh minutes gave them a five point cushion. Carras then hit a purple patch and they pointed in the 13^th, 14^th, 16^th, 17^th, 25^th and 30^th minutes to go in ahead at the interval, 0-7 to 1-3. Davitts had plenty of chances too in that period but poor shooting would prove costly.

A Carras point in the first minute of the second half was nullified by a fine Aaron CB point a minute later. Carras extended their lead to two with a 39^th minute point but two Ronan Kelly points in the 42^nd and 44^th minutes left the sides level as the game entered the final quarter. Both sides had some poor misses before Carras regained the lead with a 52^nd minute point. They were awarded a penalty a minute later but although the spot kick was well struck, Davitts keeper Dylan O Brien pulled off a superb save, diving to his right, to prevent a three pointer. Carras did punch over a point from the rebound to go two clear with six minutes remaining. Aaron O Dea pointed for Davitts in the 57^th minute and they spurned a few gilt edged chances to equalise before Carras broke upfield and point in the 62^nd minute. Davitts still had time to launch a final attack but couldn’t find the goal they needed to save the game.

Dylan O Brien, Ben Corless, Conor McDermott, Ciaran Treacy, Ronan Kelly and Aaron CB were best for Davitts on this occasion.

Davitts: Dylan O Brien, Ben Corless, Sean Clarke, Brian Hett, Noah O Brien, Conor McDermott, Tadhg Feerick, Burke Briere, Dylan Burke, Fionn McTigue, Dylan Gormley, Ciaran Treacy (1-1), Aaron O Dea (0-1), Ronan Kelly (0-4), Aaron Conneely Basham (0-1). Subs used: Brian Corless, Cillian Kearns.

Davitts 3-21  Lahardane 0-3

Davitts U-17 team gave an impressive performance in the opening round of the Grading League in Ballindine on Sunday morning with an emphatic win over Lahardane. Davitts forwards were in superb form as the scoreline suggests with all six combining well. Burke Briere had a storming game at midfield alongside Dylan Burke while the backline were in a particularly mean mood with the visitors finding it extremely difficult to make any impact. Lahardane opened the scoring in the 3^rd minute but Davitts replied with points from Ben Corless, Aaron O Dea (2), Ciaran Treacy and Aaron CB before Ciaran Treacy fired home Davitts first goal in the 17^th minute after a sweeping move involving Conor McDermott, Ronan Kelly, Aaron CB and Burke Briere. Dylan Gormley, Ronan Kelly and Aaron CB pointed in the 18^th, 20^th and 21^st minutes before Aaron CB blasted in his side’s second goal in the 22^nd minute. Aaron O Dea hit another point in the 27^th minute with Lahardane pointing in the 29^th minute to leave the home team ahead by 2-9 to 0-2 at halftime.

Davitts dominance continued after the break and points from Ciaran Treacy (4), Aaron CB (2), Ronan Kelly (3), Conor McDermott, Tadhg Feerick and Noah O Brien and a fine Aaron O Dea goal in the 59^th minute completed the Davitts tally. Lahardane got the last score of the game with an injury time point.

Davitts: Dylan O Brien, Ben Corless (0-1), Brian Hett, Sean Clarke, Noah O Brien (0-1), Conor McDermott (0-1), Tadhg Feerick (0-1), Dylan Burke, Burke Briere, Fionn McTigue, Dylan Gormley (0-1), Ciaran Treacy (1-5), Aaron O Dea (1-3), Ronan Kelly (0-4), Aaron Conneely Basham (1-4). Subs used: Cillian Kearns, Odhran O Connaire.

Hollymount Carramore 2-8  Davitts 1-8

Davitts Junior team travelled to Hollymount on Saturday evening but were narrowly defeated by the homeside in a well contested South Mayo Championship tie. A late late goal by the locals finally ended the stern challenge of the visitors.

The game was just ten minutes old when the referee Martin Murphy had to retire with an injury and the teams tied at one point each. Local man, Kevin Connelly, a former top referee, took over the reins and did a reasonable job for the remainder of the game. A brilliantly struck Hollycarra goal in the 13^th minute was what separated the sides at the break, 1-5 to 0-5, with Davey Hennessy (2) and the evergreen Ronan McNamara (3) the Davitts marksmen. Davitts cause was not helped by the dismissal of wing back James Cummins late on in the first half.

Hollycarra started the second half well but the Davitts defence, led by Lawrence Daly who had a superb game, limited them to two points in a dour third quarter. In the 46^th minute a lovely move involving Liam Kearns and Ronan McNamara ended with Colm Roche, another player that impressed, firing home a brilliant goal that narrowed the gap to two points and set up an exciting finish. In the 52^nd minute the locals had a player sent off and a Davey Hennessy point in the 53^rd minute left the minimum between the sides as Davitts surged forward. Liam Kearns equalised in the 57^th minute after a great run. Hollycarra regained the lead in the 59^th minute and Aidan Macken, after a sweeping move, fired over an injury time equaliser. The local lads weren’t finished yet and they scored a great goal in the 63^rd minute to finally end the Davitts challenge. They almost got another goal but some terrific defending kept them out before the final whistle was sounded.

Best for Davitts who played some great stuff especially when they were a player down were Sean Meehan, Lawrence Daly, Steve Nyland, Aidan Macken, Fionn McLoughlin, Ronan McNamara and Colm Roche.

Davitts: Dave Mitchell, Sean Meehan, Lawrence Daly, Sean Feerick, Aaron Trench, Jack Trench, James Cummins, Aidan Macken (0-1), Steve Nyland, Ryan McLoughlin, Liam Kearns (0-1), Fionn McLoughlin, Davey Hennessy (0-3), Ronan McNamara (0-3), Colm Roche (1-0). Subs used: Michael Waldron, Joe Prendergast.