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.

Davitts 2-9  Ballyhaunis 2-9

The Prendergast Cup final took place on Saturday evening in Ballindine with an injury-time Liam Kearns point and a converted penalty kick from Jack Melvin, the last kick of the game, securing a draw for the home side. Both teams were missing a number of regulars but this game proved to be a useful workout for both teams as the championship looms.

Jack Melvin opened the scoring with a first minute point and he added another in the eighth minute but four Ballyhaunis points in the 9^th, 11^th, 13^th and 15^th minutes saw them two ahead after the first quarter. Liam Kearns narrowed the gap to the minimum with a 19^th minute point and Ciaran Treacy goaled two minutes later, after fine work by Cian Naughton, to put Davitts into a two point lead. Ballyhaunis finished the half in fine style however and goals in the 25^th and 28^th minutes and a 27^th minute point, left them ahead by 2-5 to 1-3 at the break.

Three Ballyhaunis points in the opening seven minutes of the second half with Michael Conroy pulling one back for Davitts saw the visitors extend their lead to seven points but the home team responded impressively. Points from Jack Melvin (3) and Liam Kearns reduced the Ballyhaunis lead to a goal as the game entered the final quarter. Scores were hard to come by as the exchanges became more robust. Davitts missed several chances to narrow the gap but poor shooting was not helping their cause. After fifteen scoreless minutes, Ballyhaunis went four points ahead in the 60^th minute as they looked poised to win. Liam Kearns had other ideas though and he fired over a point in the 61^st minute and was taken down inside the penalty area three minutes later. Jack Melvin coolly slotted home the resultant spot-kick and the spoils were shared.

Kieran Fahy, Michael Hett, Jack Melvin, Cian Naughton, Jack Melvin, Tommy Waldron and Liam Kearns impressed for Davitts.

Davitts: Dylan O Brien, Jordan Flanagan, Kieran Fahy, Sean Keadin, Michael Hett, Fionnan Gallagher, Shane Treacy, Jack Melvin (1-5), Cian Naughton, Brian Óg McTigue, Liam Kearns (0-3), Tommy Waldron, Ciaran Treacy (1-0), Ronan McNamara, Michael Conroy (0-1). Subs used: Patrick Keadin, Stephen Nyland, Keith Prendergast, Jack Devane, Davey Hennessy, Ronan Kelly.

Davitts 2-13  Belmullet 0-11

Davitts defeated Belmullet in the County Junior B Championship quarter-final, played in Ballindine on Saturday evening. Two well-worked goals each side of the half-time break proved crucial in what was a very well-contested affair.

Belmullet started well and opened the scoring with a point in the second minute. Michael Conroy and Fearghal McGrath scored for Davitts to take the lead but the visitors levelled the game again in the 10^th minute. The game was being played at a fast pace and points from Michael Conroy in the 11^th minute and Brian Og McTigue in the 13^th gave Davitts a two point advantage. Two Belmullet points in the next two minutes tied the game again but Davitts finished the half impressively. Four points from Cian Naughton, Ronan McNamara, the dynamic Patrick Keadin and Tommy Waldron followed, before Keith Prendergast applied the finish to a slick move involving Fearghal McGrath, Michael Conroy and Brian Og McTigue, to goal for the home-side in the 25^th minute. Two more Fearghal McGrath points before the break left Davitts ahead by 1-10 to 0-4 at the interval.

Belmullet needed a good start to the second half but it was Davitts that virtually sealed the deal in the first minute of the second period. Ronan McNamara broke the throw-in to his midfield partner Cian Naughton, and Stephen Nyland and Darragh McGale linked to set up Davey Hennessy for a well-taken goal. Belmullet tried earnestly to get back into the game and they shot three points before Michael Conroy notched Davitts’ next score, a 41^st minute point. Belmullet pulled two more back in the 43^rd and 45^th minutes but Darragh McGale pointed for the home-side two minutes later as they game began to peter out. Belmullet hit two more points before the finish and Michael Conroy fired over the last point in injury-time to see Davitts safely through to the semi-final of the competition.

Davitts’ defence led by Charlie Phillips and Donie Ronayne were immense with Tristan Diskin, Patrick Keadin (0-1), Fionnan Gallagher, Tommy Waldron (0-1) and Brian Og McTigue (0-1), all on top of their games. Cian Naughton (0-1) and Ronan McNamara (0-1) gave the home-side the edge at midfield. The half forward-line of Stephen Nyland, Keith Prendergast (1-0), Johnno Clarke worked tirelessly, while Darragh McGale (0-1), Michael Conroy (0-4) and Fearghal McGrath (0-3) all enjoyed excellent games. The subs used played their parts too with Davey Hennessy (1-0), Jack Devane, Sean Keadin, John Kilkenny and Colm Roche doing well when introduced in the second half.

Davitts 3-16  Parke KC 3-14

This Minor B Championship clash in Ballindine on Tuesday evening turned out to be an epic match with the home team shading it by two points. Both sides were without a few regulars but they tore into each other from the throw-in to make this a most entertaining game.

Two early points by the in-form Ciaran Treacy got Davitts off the mark but PKC shot four in the first six minutes. Ronan Kelly, another Davitts player to impress, pointed in the 13^th minute but three very well-taken PKC points in the 14^th, 15^th and 16^th minutes put them four ahead. A 17^th minute Ciaran Treacy point was followed by a Ronan Kelly goal to tie the game. Aaron CB and Dylan Burke pointed to put Davitts in front by two by the 21^st minute. Four PKC points and three similar Davitts scores from Ciaran Treacy, Aaron O Dea and Ronan Kelly left Davitts ahead by 1-9 to 0-11 at the half-time break.

Points by Ciaran Treacy and Ronan Kelly in the 32^nd and 34^th minute extended the home side’s lead to three but an excellent PKC goal levelled it again in the 35^th minute. Ciaran Treacy then edged Davitts in front but PKC points in the 37^th and 39^th minutes saw them regain the lead. Dylan Gormley, Davitts’ stand-in goalie in the absence of senior keeper Dylan O Brien, produced three top-class saves in a row in the 42^nd minute to deny the visitors what looked like a certain goal. Sean Clarke, another Davitts player to star, fired over a 43^rd minute equaliser. A PKC point in the next minute was quickly cancelled out by Ronan Kelly. Aaron O Dea took advantage of a PKC defensive error to goal in the 48^th minute and two minutes later Dylan Gormley produced two more brilliant saves. After Aaron CB blasted home a great goal in the 53^rd minute, Davitts captain Ronan Kelly added two points to put his side eight clear with five minutes of normal time remaining. PKC would not lie down and they scored two fine goals in the 59^th and 63^rd minutes to narrow the gap to two. They nearly shot a winning goal in the closing seconds but that man Dylan Gormley denied them again with another point-blank save.

While Dylan Gormley, Sean Clarke, Ronan Kelly and Ciaran Treacy were superb throughout, all the Davitts players played their part in a fantastic match. They will play Aghamore in Claremorris next Tuesday and will top the group if they can avoid defeat.

Davitts: Dylan Gormley, Tadhg Feerick, Ben Corless, Sean Clarke (0-1), Noah O Brien, Burke Briere, Ronan Kelly (1-6), Dylan Burke (0-1), Brian Hett, Aaron O Dea (1-1), Cillian Kearns, Ciaran Treacy (0-6), Aaron Conneely Basham (1-1). Sub used: Pearse Diskin.

Davitts 1-8  Parke Keelogues Crimlin 0-11

Davitts hosted Parke KC in this tense Senior League Div 1A match on Saturday evening with both sides in danger of being dragged into the relegation play-off, Davitts on seven points and Parke KC a point ahead of them in the League table. The very competitive game was played at a furious pace throughout and a monstrous free kick converted by Ronan McNamara in the closing seconds left the teams tied at the final whistle, a fair result after the hour’s play.

Davitts’ Fenton Kelly opened the scoring with a second minute point with Parke KC’s full forward Ronan Carolan equalising a minute later. The influential Dara Neary pointed to put the visitors ahead in the sixth minute but Jack Melvin quickly replied for Davitts with a point. Scores were hard to come by as both sides defended tenaciously. A brilliant save by Davitts young keeper Dylan O’Brien denied Cathal Keaveney in the eighth minute. Fenton Kelly put the homeside ahead in the 13^th minute but two Dara Neary points in the 14^th and 19^th minutes saw PKC regain the lead. A brilliant Jack Melvin goal, finishing off a fine move, in the 22^nd minute put Davitts ahead again. Liam Kearns and Jack Melvin points extended the lead to four but the last two scores of the half went to the visitors with Dara Neary and Ronan Carolan pointing in first half injury-time to leave Davitts ahead by 1-5 to 0-6 at the break.

Amazingly, there was change to the scoreline until the 47^th minute when Dara Neary pointed for PKC. Both sides were guilty of some very poor shooting in the third quarter with the home team being the bigger culprits. Jack Melvin shot a 50^th minute point for Davitts but similar scores from PKC corner back Aaron McHale and Ronan Carolan put the sides level again with six minutes of normal time remaining. A blistering run from Davitts’ Fenton Kelly ended with him punching over the bar in the 56^th minute but two Dara Neary frees in the 59^th and 63^rd minutes saw PKC back in front. In the final play of the game, Davitts were awarded a free, over 45 metres out from the visitor’s goal. Ronan McNamara, not for the first time in his lengthly career, proved the hero, pointing the long range kick to give Davitts a deserved share of the spoils and securing their Div 1 league status.

Dylan O’Brien, Jordan Flanagan, Cathal Higgins, Charlie Phillips, Jack Melvin, Fenton Kelly, Ciaran Treacy and Ronan McNamara were solid performers for Davitts while Parke KC were best served by Ronan Reilly, Colm Lynch, Cathal Keaveney, Dara Neary and Ronan Carolan.

Davitts: Dylan O’Brien, Jordan Flanagan, Cathal Higgins, Kieran Fahy, Sean Keadin, Donie Ronayne, Charlie Phillips, Jack Melvin (1-3), Fenton Kelly (0-3), Brian Óg McTigue, Liam Kearns (0-1), Tommy Waldron, Darragh McGale, Ronan McNamara (0-1), Ciaran Treacy. Subs used: Shane Treacy, Stephen Nyland, Conor McDermott.

Parke Keelogues Crimlin: Conor McDonnell, Cian McHale, Paul Moran, Aaron McHale (0-1), Mark Walsh, Ronan Reilly, Colm Lynch, Kevin Neary, Aaron Boland, Cian Donoghue, Cathal Keaveney, Dara Neary (0-7), Sean Corcoran, Ronan Carolan (0-3), Jack McLoughlin. Subs used: Simran Singh.

Referee: Paul Lydon (Kiltimagh).

Davitts 1-7  Ballina 2-7

Ballina proved to be just too strong for Davitts in this Senior League Div 3B tie played in Ballindine on Friday evening. It was a very competitive game throughout played in pretty miserable conditions.

Davitts’ Jack Devane opened the scoring in the first minute with a well-taken point. Ballina found the range three minutes later, firing over the equaliser and then goaling in the fifth minute. Michael Conroy, a constant menace, pointed for the homeside but Ballina added three more to their tally by the thirteenth minute to lead by five. A 15^th minute Fearghal McGrath point for Davitts was cancelled out four minutes later by Ballina. Michael Conroy gave Davitts chances a major boost in the 21^st minute when he fired home a classy goal and the same player added a 25^th minute point. Ballina shot over an injury-time point which left them ahead by 1-6 to 1-4 at half-time.

Both sets of defenders performed well in the second half with the worsening slippery conditions making life tougher for the forwards on both sides. Michael Conroy narrowed the gap to the minimum with a 32^nd minute point but a 38^th minute Ballina point and a goal scored from the resulting kickout, the only two scores the visitors managed in the second period, were to prove vital. The homeside tried earnestly for the remainder of the game but they could only manage a brace of points before the final whistle, from Fearghal McGrath and Michael Conroy, as Ballina defended impressively.

Davitts had good displays from a feisty Patrick Keadin, debutante Conor McDermott, Johnno Clarke, Stephen Nyland, Cian Naughton, Michael Conroy and Ryan McLoughlin..

Davitts: Tristan Diskin, Patrick Keadin, Fionnan Gallagher, Conor McDermott, Johnno Clarke, Michael Hett, Colm Roche, Stephen Nyland, Cian Naughton, Ronan Kelly, Keith Prendergast, Jack Devane (0-1), Davey Hennessy, Fearghal McGrath (0-2), Michael Conroy (1-4). Subs used: Ryan McLoughlin, Fionn McTigue, Ger McWalter, Darragh Garvey.

Ballaghaderreen 5-10  Davitts 9-8

Davitts got their County Minor B Championship campaign off to a flying start in Ballaghaderreen on Tuesday evening, defeating the local side in a high scoring thriller.

Early goals from team captain Ronan Kelly and Ciaran Treacy in the second and third minutes and two well-taken Ronan Kelly points had Davitts eight points ahead after twelve minutes. The Ballagh lads hit the first of two purple scoring spells as they grabbed 2-3 without reply in the next eight minutes. Two quickfire points from Fionn McTigue and Sean Clarke restored Davitts’ lead but the home team goaled again in the 23^rd minute. Davitts finished the half with points from Conor McDermott and Ronan Kelly to leave the sides level at the break.

Ciaran Treacy hit his second goal in the 32^nd minute before Ballaghaderreen posted an unanswered 2-3 between the 35^th and 39^th minutes to go six points clear. A third Ciaran Treacy goal in the 41^st minute narrowed the deficit but Ballagh pointed two minutes later to go four up. Dylan Gormley, a second half substitute, then took the game by the scruff of the neck, scoring an incredible 3-1 in the space of six minutes to put Davitts firmly in control. Ronan Kelly added a point and Ciaran Treacy nabbed his fourth goal to extend the lead to ten points with eight minutes remaining. Ballagh kept plugging away and they scored three points but Ronan Kelly completed the game’s scoring with yet another goal in the final minute of a riveting game.

Ciaran Treacy, Ronan Kelly and Dylan Gormley scored a whopping 9-5 between them but the team’s overall workrate was impressive with centre-back Conor McDermott in top form.

Davitts: Dylan O Brien, Ben Corless, Tadhg Feerick, Noah O Brien, Conor McDermott (0-1), Odhran O Conaire, Burke Briere, Dylan Burke, Sean Clarke (0-1), Ronan Kelly (2-4), Fionn McTigue (0-1), Aaron Conneely Basham, Ciaran Treacy (4-0). Subs used: Dylan Gormley (3-1), Cillian Kearns.