Davitts and Moy Davitts serve up a thrilling U-21 Semi Final
Davitts………2-10
Moy Davitts…0-16 (AET)
When those same two teams met in the group stage of the Mayo U-21 B Championship, they produced a classic game of football, and on Wednesday evening in Ballyhaunis they served up another enthralling encounter, where a draw was a fair result. While the quality of football at times may not have been the finest due to the wet and windy conditions, one would have to admire the never say die attitude and honest endeavour of both sets of players, as the game ebbed and flowed throughout.
Davitts, playing against the wind, got off to a flying start with a great goal by Josh Ronayne in the 2nd minute of the game. Points by the impressive Sean Kelly (2), Simon Jordan and Mark Regan put Moy Davitts ahead before Fergal McGrath equalised. Moy Davitts began to get on top at this stage and led by 0-8 to 1-3 at the break, Kelly (3) and Anthony Jordan for Moy Davitts and Richie Kilkenny and Liam Kearns the Davitts scorers.
Davitts took complete control around the middle of the field in the third quarter with John Heneghan having a blinder and ably assisted by Keith Prendergast. They struggled for scores however and Moy Davitts extended their lead with a Simon Jordan point. Two Davitts points by Liam Kearns and Fergal McGrath left a point in it before Josh Ronayne levelled the match with ten minutes remaining. Ronayne put Davitts in front but two points by Sean Kelly and Simon Jordan had the Foxford boys back in the lead with time running out, before Josh Ronayne converted a pressure free kick to take the game to extra time, the final score 1-8 to 0-11.
Davitts had the assistance of the wind in the first period of extra time but Moy Davitts were looking strong and they took the lead through Anthony Jordan but again Josh Ronayne hit the leveller. It looked like Moy Davitts had the advantage now as the game entered the second period of extra time. They went ahead through Sean Kelly, and Simon Jordan put them two ahead with five minutes remaining before Liam Kearns scored a cracking Davitts goal after a defence splitting run by Josh Ronayne. Kearns put Davitts two up a minute later but Simon Jordan narrowed the gap to one, and Sean Kelly equalised with the last kick of an epic game in injury time.
Moy Davitts had excellent performers in Pat McNulty, Brian and Sean Gilmartin, Mark Regan, Sean Kelly, Simon Jordan and Anthony Jordan.
Davitts star players were David and Tommy Mitchell, the outstanding Mark Ronayne (pictured), John Heneghan, Keith Prendergast, Josh Ronayne and Fergal McGrath.
The replay takes place in Ballyhaunis next Tuesday evening.
Moy Davitts: Darren Flatley, Pat McNulty, Brian Gilmartin, Oisin McHugh, Sean Gilmartin, Barry Doherty, Mark Regan (0-1), Eamon Regan, Aidan O Brien, Sean Kelly (0-9), Daniel Murray, Simon Jordan (0-4), Anthony Jordan (0-2).
Davitts: David Mitchell, Kevin Gallagher, Michael Waldron, Johnno Clarke, Tommy Mitchell, Mark Ronayne, John Heneghan, Keith Prendergast, Josh Ronayne (1-4), Liam Kearns (1-3), Richie Kilkenny (0-1), Darren Connolly, Fergal McGrath (0-2). Sub used: Jason Connolly.
Ref: Martin Walsh.
