Davitts 1-7  Ballina 2-7

Ballina proved to be just too strong for Davitts in this Senior League Div 3B tie played in Ballindine on Friday evening. It was a very competitive game throughout played in pretty miserable conditions.

Davitts’ Jack Devane opened the scoring in the first minute with a well-taken point. Ballina found the range three minutes later, firing over the equaliser and then goaling in the fifth minute. Michael Conroy, a constant menace, pointed for the homeside but Ballina added three more to their tally by the thirteenth minute to lead by five. A 15^th minute Fearghal McGrath point for Davitts was cancelled out four minutes later by Ballina. Michael Conroy gave Davitts chances a major boost in the 21^st minute when he fired home a classy goal and the same player added a 25^th minute point. Ballina shot over an injury-time point which left them ahead by 1-6 to 1-4 at half-time.

Both sets of defenders performed well in the second half with the worsening slippery conditions making life tougher for the forwards on both sides. Michael Conroy narrowed the gap to the minimum with a 32^nd minute point but a 38^th minute Ballina point and a goal scored from the resulting kickout, the only two scores the visitors managed in the second period, were to prove vital. The homeside tried earnestly for the remainder of the game but they could only manage a brace of points before the final whistle, from Fearghal McGrath and Michael Conroy, as Ballina defended impressively.

Davitts had good displays from a feisty Patrick Keadin, debutante Conor McDermott, Johnno Clarke, Stephen Nyland, Cian Naughton, Michael Conroy and Ryan McLoughlin..

Davitts: Tristan Diskin, Patrick Keadin, Fionnan Gallagher, Conor McDermott, Johnno Clarke, Michael Hett, Colm Roche, Stephen Nyland, Cian Naughton, Ronan Kelly, Keith Prendergast, Jack Devane (0-1), Davey Hennessy, Fearghal McGrath (0-2), Michael Conroy (1-4). Subs used: Ryan McLoughlin, Fionn McTigue, Ger McWalter, Darragh Garvey.