Davitts capture South Mayo Junior A Title for second successive year
Davitts 0-10 Claremorris1-6
Davitts produced a second half display full of determination and quality to secure an unlikely victory over neighbours Claremorris in the South Mayo Junior A Final played in Hollymount on Tuesday evening. Davitts, the holders, had to play second fiddle to a very impressive looking Claremorris outfit for most of the first half, and were lucky to be trailing by only one point at the break, 1-3 to 0-5, after playing with the advantage of the stiff wind. Davitts came out fired up in the second half and their display was a credit to their battling qualities as they etched out a famous victory, securing the title for only the third time.
Claremorris had raced into a three point lead after ten minutes before a David McDonagh point from long range settled the Davitts team down. Another McDonagh point and one from Darren Connolly had the sides level before Claremorris struck a scrambled goal. Davitts replied with two fine points from team captain Shane Mitchell and Clive Hennigan to narrow the gap to a point at halftime.
Davitts were a completely different team in the second half and they played with a ferocious intensity that unsettled Claremorris. The very impressive Darren Connolly began to terrorise the Claremorris defence and points from him and David McDonagh lifted the Davitts team and their large support. Connolly added two more points and Clive Hennigan bagged a beauty before the finish as Davitts earned a famous victory over their big rivals.
While all the players played their part in this win, the performances of man of the match Brian Clarke, Frankie Barrett, Sean Waldron, William Freeley, David McDonagh, Darren Connolly, Shane Treacy and the inspirational John Costello were particularly noteworthy.
Davitts team: David Mitchell, Brian Clarke, Frankie Barrett, Lawrence Daly, James Cummins, Michael Ronayne, JP Kirrane, Sean Waldron, William Freeley, Michael Mangan, David McDonagh (0-3), Clive Hennigan (0-2), Darren Connolly (0-4), Shane Mitchell (0-1), Shane Treacy.
Subs used: Liam Noone, John Costello, Johnno Clarke, Tommy Clarke.
