Castlebar Mitchels 1-8  Davitts 1-12

Davitts travelled to Castlebar on Sunday to take on last year’s county semi-finalists Mitchels B in the first round of the intermediate championship and came away with the two points after a workmanlike display.

The first half was very well contested with the hosts being assisted by the wind. Davitts opened well and points from Mark Birmingham in the 4^th minute and a converted 45 by keeper Dylan O Brien four minutes later put them two ahead. Mitchels pointed in the 9^th minute but this was cancelled out almost immediately by the very impressive Dylan Gallagher. Mitchels pointed in the 14^th and 17^th minutes to level matters but Dylan Gallagher shot a classy 18^th minute point to put Davitts ahead again. Two points from the home side in the 23^rd and 24^th minutes saw them edge in front but Davitts hit two from Brian Óg McTigue and Dylan Gallagher to lead at the break by 0-6 to 0-5. The Davitts defending in that half was of a very high standard with Charlie Phillips, Kieran Fahy, Tommy Waldron, Brian Birmingham, Cathal Higgins and the evergreen Colm Boyle in exceptional form as the whole team displayed an admirable work-rate while Dylan Gallagher was proving to be a real thorn in the home side’s defence.

The key score of the game came in the 35^th minute. Charlie Phillips dispossessed a Mitchels forward and passed to Colm Boyle who quickly transferred to Fenton Kelly and his long foot pass was won by Dylan Gallagher who rounded his man and drilled in an excellent goal. The home team replied with a 37^th minute point but Dylan Gallagher in the 39^th minute, two from Liam Kearns in the 41^st and 44^th minutes and another from Niall Treacy in the 47^th saw Davitts open up a seven point lead. A 50^th minute Castlebar point narrowed the deficit to six but Niall Treacy fired over two in the 54^th and 56^th minutes. Mitchels kept plugging away and a 58^th minute point and a converted penalty in the 63^rd minute saw them finish the game well.

Davitts will be delighted to get their campaign off to a winning start. Tougher tasks lie ahead but getting over this potentially tricky tie was vital. Next up is a home game against Kiltimagh on Saturday week.

Davitts: Dylan O Brien (0-1), Brian Birmingham, Cathal Higgins, Kieran Fahy, Tommy Waldron, Colm Boyle, Brian Birmingham, Mark Birmingham (0-1), Fenton Kelly, Darragh McGale, Liam Kearns (0-2), Brian Óg McTigue (0-1), Dylan Gallagher (1-4), Niall Treacy (0-3), Shane Treacy. Subs used: Ciaran Treacy, Stephen Nyland, Michael Conroy, Jordan Flanagan, Fionn McLoughlin.