Davitts progress to Intermediate Quarter Finals with win over H/C
Hollymount/Carramore: 2-7
Davitts: 1-12
Davitts overcame the stiff challenge of Hollymount/Carramore in this Intermediate Championship tie played in Hollymount on Saturday evening. This game really only sprung to life in the last fifteen minutes as both teams, cagey up to this, slugged it out in a hugely exciting finish. Davitts had led by 1-5 to 0-4 at half time, Fergal McGrath coolly applying the finish for the Davitts goal after excellent work by team captain Michael Conroy. All of Davitts scores in the first half came from play with Keith Glynn (2), Aidan McTigue (2) and Conroy scoring the points while Clifford Connolly with three frees and an Ian Costello 45 accounted for the homeside’s tally.
Hollymount/Carramore began the second half in determined fashion and with the assistance of the wind, scored three points in the opening five minutes, two from Connolly and the other via wing forward Kevin Feerick. Davitts regained control with the inspirational Colm Boyle driving his teammates on with a performance at centre half back that will long remain in the memories of the large attendance. Excellent points from Conroy, Aidan McTigue, Ronan McNamara and Keith Prendergast put Davitts in the driving seat, leading by 1-9 to 0-7 as the game entered the final quarter.
The homeside almost scored a goal when Kevin Costello’s effort was tipped onto the crossbar by Davitts keeper Mark Diskin and full back Frankie Barrett effected two miraculous saves in the subsequent scramble. Hollymount/Carramore were in the ascendancy at this stage and with eight minutes remaining they were rewarded with Kevin Costello goaling. Davitts replied with a Conroy point but the homeside scored another goal in injury time through Ian Costello, after a defensive error, to leave just a point between the sides. Davitts finished stronger and Michael Conroy had the final say in the game with another superb point.
Davitts now are assured of a quarter final spot in the Championship having defeated their two main rivals in the group of death, and as this game also had two Michael Walsh Secondary league points at stake, Davitts also top that league, with a 100% record.
Colm Boyle was simply magnificent in this game as he and Michael Conroy showed yet again why most GAA followers in South Mayo are perplexed as to why they are not part of the Mayo Senior squad. Colm Roche, Frankie Barrett, Kevin Gallagher, Johnno Clarke, Paul Carey, Keith Glynn and Pat Coyne also played superbly in a good all round team display.
Hollymount/Carramore’s most effective players were James Regan, Dermot Costello, Alan Fahey, Ian Costello, Kevin Costello and Clifford Connolly.
Davitts: Mark Diskin, Colm Roche, Frankie Barrett, Kevin Gallagher, Johnno Clarke, Colm Boyle, Martin Cosgrove, Ronan Mcnamara (0-1), Paul Carey, Keith Prendergast (0-1), Keith Glynn (0-2), Pat Coyne, Aidan McTigue (0-3), Fergal McGrath (1-0), Michael Conroy (0-5). Subs used: Michael Waldron, Carlos O Gara.
Hollymount/Carramore: Paul Kane, Louis Macken, Ray Connelly, Francis Conroy, James Regan, Dermot Costello, Conor Gill, Alan Fahey, Padraig Feerick, Kevin Feerick (0-1), Ian Costello (1-1), Oisin Gill, Darren Coen, Clifford Connolly (0-5), Kevin Costello (1-0). Sub: David Macken.
Referee Vincent Neary.
