Davitts Seniors Div 1A v Crossmolina – Match Report
Davitts 1-13 Crossmolina 1-10 – Referee: Ronan Gurren
Davitts edged out Crossmolina in this Mayo Senior League Div 1A tie played in blustery conditions in Ballindine on Sunday. Davitts, with the assistance of the difficult wind, got off to the worst possible start when midfielder Ronan McNamara pulled down Paul Duffy in the square. Crossmolina’s impressive centre half forward Conor Loftus made no mistake with the resultant spot kick. Davitts dusted themselves down after this and reeled off points from Michael Conroy (4), Fearghal McGrath and Josh Ronayne in a six minute blitz. Loftus and Ronayne exchanged points to leave Davitts ahead by 0-7 to 1-1 after fifteen minutes. Crossmolina hit their own purple patch in the second quarter and points from Loftus (3), Peadar Gardiner and David Howley with Paul Carey and Keith Prendergast replying for the homeside left the teams tied at 0-9 to 1-6 at halftime.
Michael Moyles would have been much the happier manager during the interval but Pete Warren’s half time pep talk seemed to have the desired effect on Davitts. After Loftus pointed another free in the third minute, to put the Deelsiders in front again, Davitts began to assume control. Conroy and Ronayne pointed before Josh Ronayne scored the crucial goal for Davitts after great work by Fearghal McGrath. Tom Cafferkey for Cross and another Ronayne point in the 45th minute left Davitts ahead by four but with Michael Conroy going off with a shoulder injury, the homeside had to play the final quarter without their talisman. Two further points from Loftus completed the scoring for Crossmolina and Ronayne had the final say with a late point for Davitts.
Davitts will be delighted to have full points from their opening two games and had solid performers in Johnno Clarke, the inspirational Colm Boyle, Paul Carey, Josh Ronayne, Michael Conroy, Keith Prendergast, Andrew Peters and impressive sub Thomas Waldron.
Best for Crossmolina were Tom Cafferkey, Declan Keating, Joe Keane, Peadar Gardiner, Conor Loftus and Cathal Carolan.
Davitts: David Mitchell, Colm Roche, Michael Ronayne, Kevin Gallagher, Johnno Clarke, Cathal Higgins, Colm Boyle, Ronan McNamara, Paul Carey (0-1), Josh Ronayne (1-5), Keith Prendergast (0-1), Liam Kearns, Andrew Peters, Fearghal McGrath (0-1), Michael Conroy (0-5). Subs used: Thomas Waldron, Michael Waldron.
Crossmolina: Shane Keane, Tom Cafferkey (0-1), Joe Keane, Noel Hegarty, Declan Keating, Chris Moyles, Jonathon O Boyle, David O Malley, Peadar Gardiner (0-1), Cathal Carolan, Conor Loftus (1-7), Kevin Mulhern, Derek Hegarty, David Howley (0-1), Paul Duffy.
