Intermediates – County Champions!
Davitts intermediate team put on a fantastic performance in McHale Park on Sunday to defeat a gallant Burrishoole team by 0-14 to 0-12 in an epic final. Davitts, with the advantage of the wind in the first half, played superb football to go in 0-10 to 0-3 ahead at the interval. Team captain Michael Conroy was on fire, scoring five of those points while wily veteran Dave McDonagh rolled back the years with a vintage display. Paul Carey and Ronan McNamara were on top at midfield while Colm Boyle was his usual excellent self at centre back. Burrishoole came back strongly after the break and rattled off four points in a row before Keith Prendergast lifted the siege with an excellent point. Burrishoole came back again and narrowed the gap to two points before Conroy scored a peach to stem the tide. Burrishoole were well on top at this stage and three unanswered points had the sides level with three minutes left and it looked like the West Mayo side were destined to win but a superb Aidan McTigue point put Davitts back in front and a monster 55 metre free kick by Ronan McNamara sealed a famous victory for the men in red and black, to spark off unbelievable scenes of joy amongst the huge Davitts crowd.
As well as those already mentioned, Davitts had superb performances from Mark Diskin, the brilliant Kevin “Diego” Gallagher and Frankie Barrett, Colm Roche, Johnno Clarke, James Cummins, Pat Coyne and Fergal McGrath while substitutes Keith Glynn, Alan Roche, Carlos O Gara, Liam Kearns and Martin Cosgrove all played their parts in a famous victory.
A huge well done to team manager Peter Warren (the new Lord Mayor of Ballindine and Irishtown) and selectors John Treacy and Ja Trench. Team captain Michael Conroy accepted the Sweeney Cup on behalf of his teammates and his acceptance speech almost rivalled his man of the match performance on the field.
Davitts: Mark Diskin, Colm Roche, Frankie Barrett, Kevin Gallagher, Johnno Clarke, Colm Boyle, James Cummins, Ronan McNamara (0-3), Paul Carey (0-1), Keith Prendergast (0-1), Dave McDonagh (0-2), Pat Coyne, Aidan McTigue (0-1), Fergal McGrath, Michael Conroy (0-6). Subs used: Keith Glynn, Carlos O Gara, Alan Roche, Liam Kearns and Martin Cosgrove.
Pictures to follow…
