Juniors v Eastern Gaels – Match Report
Davitts 0-10 Eastern Gaels 1-6
Davitts Junior Team played host to close neighbours Eastern Gaels in the first round of the County Junior B Championship on Saturday evening with Davitts coming out on top, 0-10 to 1-6, after a titanic struggle. Wind assisted Davitts had led by 0-4 to 0-2 at halftime but it was their second half performance that saw them deservedly getting the win in front of a large attendance.
The first half was riddled with stoppages that didn’t really suit the homeside but they showed good character to score three vital points before halftime, after trailing by 0-2 to 0-1 with ten minutes remaining in that half. Aidan McTigue, Shane Treacy and Liam Noone (2) were Davitts first half scorers.
Davitts, with the outstanding Shane Mitchell dominating around midfield, played superbly in the second half. Aidan McTigue and Evan Ronayne were proving to be a handful for the Gaels defence, while Seamus Roche, Liam Noone, Shane Treacy and Carlos O Gara worked their socks off while playing intelligent football to delight the home crowd. Superb points from Aidan McTigue, inspirational captain JP Kirrane, man of the match Shane Mitchell and Liam Noone put Davitts 0-8 to 0-4 ahead before David Mitchell affected a magnificent save from an Eastern Gaels penalty. Davitts broke downfield and young Evan Ronayne pointed before Eastern Gaels scored a goal and a point to leave just a point in the game with five minutes remaining to ensure a grandstand finish. Another fantastic Evan Ronayne point gave Davitts a little breathing space but Gaels replied with a pointed free and had a chance to snatch a draw with a shot that went narrowly wide in the last seconds.
This game was a great advert for Junior B football and Eastern Gaels will prove to be a dangerous opposition as the competition progresses.
Davitts will be delighted with the win and all fifteen players contributed to the victory. David Mitchell in goals was heroic while Patrick Keadin, John Costello and Lawrence Daly were in top form in the full backline. William Freeley was extremely solid at centre back flanked by the hardworking JP Kirrane and Tommy Clarke. Martin Cosgrove worked hard at midfield along with the outstanding Shane Mitchell. The workrate of the six forwards was admirable and they all contributed to a very satisfactory result.
Davitts: David Mitchell, Patrick Keadin, John Costello, Lawrence Daly, JP Kirrane (0-1), William Freeley, Tommy Clarke, Shane Mitchell (0-1), Martin Cosgrove, Evan Ronayne (0-2), Carlos O Gara, Liam Noone (0-3), Seamus Roche, Aidan McTigue (0-2), Shane Treacy (0-1). Subs used: Michael Clarke, Michael Ronayne.
