Parke Keelogues Crimlin 1-10  Davitts 0-7

PKC retained their Senior Division 1 league status for next season with a six point victory over Davitts in the relegation play-off played in Parke on Saturday evening. The wet and windy conditions meant that good football was at a premium but the home side were fully deserving of their win and they will be full of confidence when the two sides face off in four weeks in the first round of the Intermediate Championship.

PKC almost got off to a dream start but were denied what looked like a certain goal, by a superb Ronan McNamara save in the second minute. Shane Treacy opened the scoring after five minutes with a point but the wind assisted home side took the game by the scruff of the neck and they shot six unanswered points in the next sixteen minutes. Davitts cause was not helped when star forward Niall Treacy hobbled off with a hamstring injury early in the half and wing back Brian Og McTigue also had to be helped off before the end of the first period. Two fine points from Davitts Dylan Gallagher in the 23^rd and 25^th minutes narrowed the deficit to three but the locals pointed again in the 27^th minute and added another in the fifth minute of injury time to lead by 0-8 to 0-3 at the break.

PKC should have goaled in the second minute after the restart but the final shot was poor after a lightening break upfield. Dylan Gallagher opened the second half scoring with a 3^rd minute point for Davitts but PKC cancelled this out with another smart point a minute later. The homeside put themselves firmly in the driving seat in the 37^th minute when referee Christopher Burke awarded them a penalty after one of their players was fouled inside the very large square. The resultant spot kick was despatched and they were now eight points ahead. Davitts fought back but were finding it hard to make progress against the impressive PKC defensive set-up. Shane Treacy shot two long range points in the 38^th and 39^th minutes and second half substitute Cathal Corless, making a welcome comeback from a long term injury, fired over another in the 43^rd minute. Davitts were trying to manufacture a goal but their best efforts were being repeatedly thwarted. A 51^st minute point for the homeside was the only score of the final quarter of the game.

Ronan McNamara, impressing in his new role in goals, Sean Keadin, Jordan Flanagan, Liam Macken, Shane Treacy, Dylan Gallagher and Brian Birmingham battled well for Davitts who, while disappointed at losing the game, will be more worried by a lengthening injury list with the Championship just weeks away. A massive improvement will be needed to have any chance against this very impressive PKC team.

Davitts: Ronan McNamara, Cathal Higgins, Jordan Flanagan, Sean Keadin, Mark Birmingham, Thomas Ronayne, Brian Og McTigue, Jack Melvin, Liam Macken, Shane Treacy (0-3), Liam Kearns, Sean Feerick, Niall Treacy, Darragh McGale, Dylan Gallagher (0-3). Subs used: Davey Hennessy, Brian Birmingham, Cathal Corless (0-1), Kieran Fahy, Tom Corless, Tristan Diskin.