Encouraging start for Seniors in League
Claremorris 2-6
Davitts 1-11
This first round of the Mayo Senior League was played with more intensity than most championship matches, a great credit to both sets of players, but Davitts came from four points down with six minutes remaining, in a thrilling finish, to snatch victory. The teams were level at half time in this game played in Claremorris on Saturday evening, 1-2 to 0-5, the Claremorris goal coming from a Ger Brady penalty.
The second half was equally close, but a second Brady penalty followed by a point from the impressive half back Diarmuid Griffith, put the homeside in the driving seat with minutes remaining. It was in those last six minutes that Davitts showed great bottle with outstanding centre back Colm Boyle and towering midfielder Ronan McNamara leading the charge. McNamara pointed a long range free kick, Dave McDonagh goaled, after terrific work from the lionhearted Boyle, McNamara kicked a superb lead point and captain Michael Conroy scored his fifth free to give victory to Davitts.
Outstanding for the winners were Kevin Gallagher, James Cummins, Johnno Clarke, Colm Boyle, Ronan McNamara, Keith Glynn and Dave McDonagh, who was excellent throughout.
Claremorris, who had played so well until the closing minutes, had their star players in Alvin McCallig, John Broderick, Diarmuid Griffith, Sean Prendergast, David Egan, Alan Feeley, Brian Gallagher and Ger Brady.
Davitts: Paddy Kirrane, Colm Roche, Michael Waldron, Kevin Gallagher, Johnno Clarke, Colm Boyle, James Cummins, Ronan McNamara (0-3), Paul Carey, Keith Prendergast, Keith Glynn, Liam Kearns, Aidan McTigue (0-1), Dave McDonagh (1-1), Michael Conroy (0-6). Subs used: Pat Coyne, Carlos O Gara and Fergal McGrath.
Claremorris: Alvin McCallig, John Broderick, Gary Mullins, Brian Fahy, Diarmuid Griffith (0-1), Shane Walsh, Sean Prendergast, David Egan (0-1), Shane Prendergast (0-1), Michael Gallagher, Alan Feeley (0-1), Kieran Griffith, Padraig Ring, Brian Gallagher, Ger Brady (2-2). Subs used: Mark Gallagher, John Hutton and Liam Griffith.
