Davitts 0-10  Sarsfields Shamrocks 1-13

Sarsfields Shamrocks advanced to the County Minor B final after getting the better of Davitts in Ballindine on Tuesday evening. There was a large attendance to witness a very close match, the final scoreline flattering the winners, who scored a goal and point in injury-time.

The visitors, with a slight wind advantage, opened the scoring with a first minute point which was cancelled out less than a minute later by Ciaran Treacy. Sarsfields Shamrocks took the lead again almost immediately but Ciaran Treacy levelled it in the 4^th minute. Three SS points in the 5^th, 13^th and 15^th minutes put them three ahead. Davitts had a great goal chance in the 10^th minute but Ronan Kelly’s effort was scrambled clear off the line following super work by Aaron CB. A 16^th minute Aaron O Dea point and another from Ronan Kelly six minutes later closed the deficit to a single point. The Charlestown/Kilmovee combination finished the half with points in the 23^rd and 31^st minutes to lead by 0-7 to 0-4 at the break.

Davitts really upped it at the start of the second period and the first ten minutes of the half they fired over points via Ciaran Treacy (3) and Ronan Kelly to take the lead. Sarsfields Shamrocks were struggling but, with a few decisions beginning to go their way, they began to weather the storm. A 42^nd minute equaliser followed by three more in the 45^th, 48^th and 49^th minutes saw them open up a three point lead again. Ronan Kelly pointed in the 53^rd minute but the visitors did likewise two minutes later. Davitts threw everything into attack but the visitor’s defence remained solid. Ciaran Treacy and Sean Clarke were denied what looked like certain frees in before Ronan Kelly converted one in the 59^th minute to narrow the gap to two. As the game entered added on time, SS hit Davitts on the break and pointed in the 61^st minute. In the frantic closing two minutes, and Davitts trying desperately to get a match-saving goal, they got turned over and the visitors broke swiftly and ended the contest with a goal in the 63^rd minute. The final whistle followed shortly afterwards.

This Davitts squad, though short on numbers, have improved significantly throughout the season. The injured Fionn McTigue was a big loss in this game but the team gave it their all on the field with Ben Corless, Conor McDermott and Tadhg Feerick putting in big shifts in the full-backline in front of the solid keeper Dylan O Brien. Noah O Brien had a great game at centre back and was well assisted by his wing men, Odhran O Conaire and Aaron O Dea (0-1). Burke Briere and Dylan Burke edged the midfield battle with Sean Clarke, Ronan Kelly (0-4) and Cillian Kearns also doing very well in the middle third. Ciaran Treacy (0-5) had a superb game and was a constant threat up front. Aaron Conneely Basham and Dylan Gormley worked hard and substitute Brian Hett made a big impact when introduced.