Minors v Mayo Gaels – Match Report
Davitts Minors were defeated, 2-19 to 3-12, by Mayo Gaels in Div 2A of the League after a fine open game of football played in Ballindine on Friday evening.
The wind assisted Gaels got off to a flying start scoring an unanswered 1-4 in the opening eight minutes. Davitts were unlucky not to goal on two occasions in that period when Stephen Nyland narrowly shot wide after he had made two incisive runs. When Davitts did settle down they took the game to the visitors and points from Zack Keadin (2), Stephen Nyland (3), Dean Moran, Jack Devane (2) and Cian Naughton and a superb goal from Cian Naughton saw them traill by 1-11 to 1-9 at halftime.
The turning point of the game came in the 4th minute of the second half as Cian Naughton bagged his second goal to put Davitts ahead. This goal came after a storming sixty metre run by Stephen Nyland, the best player on the pitch up to this stage, but it also ended his involvement as he suffered a nasty ankle injury in the process. The game was nip and tuck for the next fifteen minutes before Mayo Gaels pulled away in the final quarter. The Gaels scored freely in that final quarter with Davitts replies coming from Cian Naughton (0-2), Dean Moran (0-1) and a clever goal from sub Niall Treacy.
Davitts had tremendous performances from David Devane, Jordan Flanagan, Niall Kearns, Cian Naughton, Dean Moran, Jack Devane, Stephen Nyland and Takeshi Kilkenny.
Davitts: Joe Prendergast, Jordan Flanagan, David Devane, Sean Feerick, Dimitry Trench, Fentan Kelly, Niall Kearns, Cian Naughton (2-2), Dean Moran (0-2), James Ruane (0-1), Zack Keadin (0-2), Jack Devane (0-2), Stephen Nyland (0-3).
Subs used: Takeshi Kilkenny, Conor Walsh, Niall Treacy (1-0).
