Davitts 0-16  Balla 2-12

Balla qualified for the County Minor B final after defeating Davitts by two points following an epic semi-final encounter in Ballindine on Tuesday evening. Two well taken goals, one in either half, proved to be the difference between the sides.

Davitts settled well and pointed twice in the opening two minutes through Dylan Gallagher and Mark Birmingham. Balla opened their account with a 4^th minute point but three more Davitts points from Fionn McLoughlin, Ciaran Treacy and Dylan Gallagher put them four ahead after twelve minutes. Balla scored another point in the fifteenth minute but points from Dylan Gallagher and Fionn McLoughlin extended Davitts lead to five but a 23^rd minute Balla point and a well taken goal less than a minute later narrowed the gap to the minimum. Ronan Kelly pointed in the 27^th minute for Davitts with Balla replying with a similar score just before the half time whistle to leave Davitts ahead by 0-9 to 1-4 at the break.

The outstanding Dylan Gallagher opened the second half scoring with a magnificent point in the first minute but three Balla points in the next five minutes tied the game. Dylan Gallagher shot three fine points in the next ten minutes and so did Balla as the game entered the final quarter. A second Balla goal in the 47^th minute gave them the lead for the first time in the game. Dylan Gallagher pulled a point back for Davitts in the 49^th minute and the home side thought they had regained the lead when Aaron CB’s fisted pass across the goal was deemed to have crossed the goal line without a touch, a questionable decision, and the goal was disallowed. Balla pointed in the 50^th minute and Tadhg Feerick had a similar score for Davitts in the 54^th minute. Balla, now looking threatening every time they attacked, fired over another point in the 55^th minute. Dylan Gallagher scored another brilliant point for the homeside in the 58^th minute. The last score of the game went to Balla, a 59^th minute point, as they secured their place in next week’s final.

This Davitts team, while disappointed at losing, have given their supporters some great moments throughout the season and can hold their heads high. The whole team fought to the final whistle with Sean Keadin, Tadhg Feerick, Ethan Boyle, Noah O Brien, Mark Birmingham, Fionn McLoughlin, the excellent Conor McDermott, Ciaran Treacy and Dylan Gallagher the stand out players on this occasion. We wish the best of luck to Balla in the final.

Davitts: Dylan O Brien, Sean Meehan, Sean Clarke, Sean Keadin, Aaron Trench, Tadhg Feerick (0-1), Ethan Boyle, Burke Briere, Mark Birmingham (0-1), Brian Corless, Fionn McLoughlin (0-2), Ronan Kelly (0-1), Conor McDermott, Dylan Gallagher (0-9), Ciaran Treacy (0-2). Subs used: Noah O Brien, Aaron CB, Dylan Gormally.