Davitts B …… 0-13

Belmullet B … 1-10

A draw was probably the fairest outcome to this Junior B Championship match played in Ballindine on Thursday evening. Both teams strove manfully to win this game as it ebbed and flowed from the throw-in. Davitts had led at the break, 0-6 to 0-5, after some excellent scores from Tommy Mitchell (2), Kevin Daly, Richie Kilkenny, Darren Connolly and inspirational captain Pat Hopkins. The second half exchanges were just as close as the advantage see-sawed between the two sides. Belmullet hit the crucial score ten minutes from time, gaoling after a long delivery from the middle of the field. Davitts rallied again and it was left to young Darren Connolly to level the match with a pressure free kick, the last kick of a pulsating game, which he converted with aplomb.

Davitts had terrific performers in Derek Mooney, JP Kirrane and Michael Ronayne in defence, Tommy Mitchell at midfield, while in attack Seamus Roche, Richie Kilkenny, Pat Hopkins, Kevin Daly and Darren Connolly were in top form. Mark Ronayne was very impressive when introduced midway through the first half while this game marked the return from retirement of Alan Roche, who made a five minute cameo at the end of the game.

Davitts: David Mitchell, Derek Mooney, Luke Ronayne, JP Kirrane, Laurence Daly, Michael Ronayne, John Costello, John Heneghan, Tommy Mitchell (0-2), Seamus Roche (0-1), Shane Mitchell, Richie Kilkenny (0-1), Darren Connolly (0-2), Kevin Daly (0-2), Pat Hopkins (0-3). Subs used: Mark Ronayne, Alan Roche, David Cosgrove.

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Davitts U-21 side began their defence of the Brennan Cup in Ballindine on Friday evening, making light of the difficult climatic conditions, to emphatically defeat Kilmaine by 6-14 to1-6. Davitts played some terrific football in this game and were well in command at the interval, leading by 4-9 to 1-2, after being wind assisted in the first half. Richie Kilkenny (outstanding throughout) set the ball rolling with a goal in the first minute after excellent work from the very impressive Fergal McGrath. McGrath himself bagged a brace of goals and team captain Keith Prendergast got his reward for a tremendously hard working performance at midfield, scoring the fourth goal after a stunning passing movement.

Davitts workrate didn’t ease off in the second half as the defence coped well with all that Kilmaine could throw at them. Further goals from McGrath and Darren Connolly sealed an impressive win for the homeside. Davitts had star players all over the pitch but the performances of Michael Waldron, Johnno Clarke, Keith Prendergast, John Heneghan, Richie Kilkenny and Fergal McGrath were particularly noteworthy.

Davitts team: David Mitchell, Michael Waldron, Kevin Gallagher, Johnno Clarke, Tommy Mitchell, Mark Ronayne, John Heneghan, Keith Prendergast (1-2), Josh Ronayne (0-2), Liam Kearns (0-4), Richie Kilkenny (1-2), Darren Connolly (1-1), Fergal McGrath (3-3). Subs used: Tommy Clarke, David Connolly, Gerard McWalter.

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Davitts: 1-10

Kiltimagh: 0-9

Davitts came out on top of old rivals Kiltimagh in the first round of the Intermediate Championship in a thrilling game played in wet and windy Ballindine on Sunday. This was tough championship football between two evenly matched sides. Kiltimagh led at halftime, 0-5 to 0-4, but the games crucial score came two minutes into the second half when man of the match Michael Conroy cleverly flicked Paul Carey’s long delivery over the head of the Kiltimagh keeper and into the net. Kiltimagh fought back and the sides were level again with ten minutes remaining, but Davitts finished strongly with excellent scores from Colm Boyle, Ronan McNamara, Johnno Clarke and Michael Conroy.

The exchanges got very heated in those final minutes with outbreaks of handbags all over the field and Davitts James Cummins received his marching orders from referee Declan Corcoran (whose performance certainly wasn’t of the hometown variety). Davitts had excellent displays from Frankie Barrett, Colm Roche, Colm Boyle, who shipped alot of punishment, Johnno Clarke, Ronan McNamara, the tireless Paul Carey, Keith Glynn, Fergal McGrath and Michael Conroy who was superb throughout.

Davitts: Mark Diskin, Colm Roche, Frankie Barrett, Kevin Gallagher, Colm Boyle (0-1), James Cummins, Johnno Clarke (0-1), Ronan McNamara (0-2), Paul Carey (0-1), David McDonagh, Pat Coyne, Fergal McGrath, Aidan McTigue, Keith Glynn, Michael Conroy (1-5). Subs: Carlos O Gara, Keith Prendergast.

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Davitts kept their 100% winning record in the Michael Walsh intermediate league, defeating Bonniconlon away, 2-11 to 0-11, on Sunday. The foundations for this victory was a powerful first half performance when Davitts dominated their hosts and led by 1-7 to 0-4 at halftime after playing against the stiff wind. Aidan McTigue was in top form in attack scoring 1-3 in that first half, while Davitts halfbackline of the inspirational Colm Boyle, James Cummins and Johnno Clarke were in a very uncompromising mood. Seamus Roche added a superb second goal fifteen minutes into the second half to kill off the game. Bonniconlon fought hard in that second half as Davitts took their foot off the pedal but the result was never really in doubt.

Best for Davitts were young Mark Diskin in goals, Colm Boyle (the best defender in Mayo), James Cummins, Johnno Clarke, Ronan McNamara, Paul Carey and Aidan McTigue.

Davitts team: Mark Diskin, Tommy Nolan, Frankie Barrett, Kevin Gallagher, Colm Boyle (0-2), James Cummins, Johnno Clarke, Ronan McNamara, Paul Carey (0-2), Seamus Roche (1-0), Colm Roche, Pat Coyne, Aidan McTigue (1-4), David McDonagh, Liam Kearns (0-2). Sub used: Michael Ronayne.

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Davitts junior team travelled to Balla on Saturday evening and were well beaten, 3-11 to 0-2, by the homeside. Balla were much the stronger side throughout and would have won by more but for the sterling work of Derek Mooney and Martin Cosgrove in an overworked Davitts defence. Up front Maurice Prendergast and Pat Hopkins were Davitts most threatening forwards.

Davitts: David Mitchell, Juan Pablo Kirrane, Derek Mooney, Martin Cosgrove, Laurence Daly, John A Noone, John Costello, Shane Mitchell, David Heneghan, Seamus Roche, Maurice Prendergast (0-1), David Cosgrove, Richie Kilkenny, Constantine Penny, Pat Hopkins (0-1).

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An understrength Davitts Minor team travelled to Ardnaree on Friday evening and were defeated 1-13 to 2-7 in the league. Davitts (forced to line out without the injured Donie Ronayne, Darren Connolly, Jason Connolly and John Macken) best player in this game was young Thomas Waldron and he got best support from Cathal Higgins, Mark Ronayne, Andrew Peters and Gearoid Lyons.

Davitts team: David Mitchell, William Freeley, Gerard McWalter, Cathal Higgins, Mark Ronayne (0-1), Keelan Devane, Sean Waldron, Andrew Peters, Michael Clarke, Clive Hennigan (0-1), Thomas Waldron (1-2), Gearoid Lyons (1-0), Liam Noone (0-3). Sub used: Brian Clarke.

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Davitts U-16’s were defeated by Breaffy in Division 2 of the league on Tuesday evening in Ballindine. The final score was 5-11 to 4-7 in an entertaining game. Davitts played with the stiff breeze in the first half and led by 2-7 to 2-5 at the break, Matthew Trench and Gerard Griffin the goalscorers. Breaffy dominated the second half, getting a succession of top class scores, and two late penalties converted by sub Tommy Waldron only put a better look on the scoreboard for the homeside. Davitts best in this game were Shane Cummins, Thomas Charles, William Freeley, Liam Noone, Matthew Trench, Gerard Griffin and Tommy Waldron.

Davitts team: Michael Mangan, Shane Cummins, John Huane, Jonathon Fahy, Thomas Charles, Dylan Higgins, Padraig Mangan (0-1), William Freeley, Michael Clarke (0-1), Liam Noone (0-3), Matthew Trench (1-1), Gerard Griffin (1-1), Jack Rodgers. Subs: Dylan Keadin, Richie Connor, Sean Burke, Thomas Monaghan, Tommy Waldron (2-0).

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Davitts Junior team went down heavily to Kilfian, 4-16 to 1-6, in Division 1F of the Mayo Senior league, played in Ballindine on Saturday evening. Davitts had the assistance of the strong wind in the first half, and after opening brightly scoring 1-2 without reply, the writing was on the wall at half time as they trailed by 1-5 to 1-3. The second half was dominated by Kilfian and Davitts only managed a further three points before the final whistle. Hardest triers for Davitts were David Connolly, Derek Mooney, the burly Luke Ronayne, Martin Cosgrove, Laurence Daly, JP Kirrane, John Heneghan, Maurice Prendergast and Richie Kilkenny.

Davitts: David Connolly, Fionan Moran, Luke Ronayne, Derek Mooney, Laurence Daly, Martin Cosgrove, JP Kirrane, John Heneghan (0-1), Shane Mitchell (0-1), John Costello, Maurice Prendergast (0-1), Darragh Halligan, Pat Hopkins (0-1), Conleth Penny (0-1), Richie Kilkenny (1-0). Subs used: David Cosgrove (0-1), Dave Heneghan.

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Davitts Minor team hosted Ballyhaunis in the league on Friday evening and they served up a thriller with Davitts edging it by 0-20 to 1-12. Both sides hit some superb scores and really the game could have gone either way but Davitts probably deserved to win as Ballyhaunis squandered a number of good scoring chances. Davitts had the assistance of the tricky wind in the first half and led by 0-11 to 0-5 at halftime with both midfielders, all of the forwards and outstanding wing back Jason Connolly getting on the scoresheet. Ballyhaunis had more of the play in the second half but the homeside seemed capable of picking off points every time they attacked. Davitts had very impressive performers in Gerard McWalter, Jason Connolly, the excellent Andrew Peters, Liam Noone, Tommy Waldron, Darren Connolly, Clive Hennigan and William Freeley.

Davitts team: Michael Mangan, Donie Ronayne, Gerard McWalter, Cathal Higgins, Mark Ronayne, Jason Connolly (0-2), Sean Waldron (0-1), Andrew Peters (0-3), Michael Clarke (0-1), Liam Noone (0-6), Tommy Waldron (0-2), Darren Connolly (0-3), Clive Hennigan (0-2). Subs: William Freeley, John Macken, Brian Clarke, Gearoid Lyons.

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Davitts U-14 team were beaten, 4-10 to 1-9, by St. Gerards in Ballindine on Thursday evening. St. Gerards ability to score goals proved to be the difference between two well matched sides. St. Gerards led by 3-2 to 1-4 at halftime and though Davitts trimmed that lead to a single point midway through the second half, St. Gerards tagged on a further goal and five points in the closing minutes to clinch victory. Davitts had hard triers in Denis Og Fahy, who defended superbly, his brother Ciaran, Christopher Ryan, Francis Griffin, Evan Ronayne, Kieran Waldron, Shane Treacy, Daniel Huane and Kelan Cosgrove.

Davitts team: Andre Trench, Denis Og Fahy, Christopher Ryan, Cathal Moran, John Kilkenny, Francis Griffin, Ciaran Fahy, Evan Ronayne (0-5), Kieran Waldron, Shane Treacy (0-1), Jamie Mullee, Lorcan Diskin, Daniel Huane (0-2), Kelan Cosgrove (1-1), Cian Treacy.

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