Seniors v Aghamore – Match Report
Davitts 0-8 Aghamore 1-8
Davitts and Aghamore played out a well contested Senior League Division 1A tie in Ballindine on Saturday evening. Both sets of defences won out but, after a ding dong struggle. The main talking point from all present, was the bizarre decision of referee Jerome Henry to overturn a Davitts penalty, which he awarded in the first half. Michael Conroy was taken down as he was through on goal, with the ref giving a penalty and a black card to the Aghamore player who fouled him. As Liam Kearns was about to take the penalty the ref decided to blow his whistle and throw in the ball. His decision was based on ‘a Davitts player engaging in rough play’ as the penalty kick was about to be taken. Needless to say this didn’t go down well with the home crowd and the Aghamore supporters, while bemused, welcomed their lucky break, and their team recorded a victory that they will know was possibly lucky.
A black card issued to Michael Conroy, on the strength of an Aghamore linesman, shortly afterwards didn’t help, but this is certainly a game that the officials will certainly want to erase from the records.
Conor Lyons opened the scoring in the 2nd minute for Aghamore with Evan Ronane replying for Davitts four minutes later. Alan Freeman put the visitors ahead before Evan Ronane rattled the crossbar after a surging run. The penalty (that never was) was awarded in the 19th minute and to rub salt into the homeside’s wounds, Sean Og Tighe pointed immediately afterwards. Evan Ronane scored a tidy point for Davitts in the 22nd minute but Conor Lyons pointed to put Aghamore ahead by two points as the first half entered injury time. Thomas Waldron and Cathal Hennelly tagged on two points for Davitts to level the score at 0-4 each at the break.
Cathal Hennelly opened the second half scoring for Davitts in the second minute with Alan Freeman equalising four minutes later.
Ronan McNamara and Alan Freeman traded points before Cathal Hennelly put Davitts ahead with a long range free in the thirteenth minute. A penalty awarded to Aghamore in the 22nd minute, which was expertly converted by Alan Freeman, was an ironic sucker punch for Davitts.
Cathal Hennelly pointed for Davitts and Ross Egan and Sean Og Tighe shot two late points for Aghamore to secure a three point win.
Best for Aghamore were Patrick Finnegan, an assured goalkeeper, Sean and David Kenny, Sean Og Tigue, Iarla Carty, Alan Freeman, Michael McNieve and Conor Lyons.
Best for Davitts were Adrian McNamara, Kieran Fahy, Thomas Waldron, Johnno Clarke, Declan Healy, Cathal Hennelly, Aidan McTigue and Ronan McNamara.
Aghamore: Patrick Finnegan, Sean Kenny, Niall Freeman, David Kenny, Sean Og Tighe (0-2), Iarla Carty, James McNieve, Alan Freeman (1-3), Colm Caulfield, Aidan Henry, Keith Cassidy, James Lyons, Conor Lyons (0-2), Ross Egan (0-1), Michael McNieve. Subs used: Darren Duffy, James Kilkenny.
Davitts: Adrian McNamara, Colm Roche, Cathal Higgins, Kieran Fahy, Thomas Waldron (0-1), Declan Healy, Johnno Clarke, Cathal Hennelly (0-4), Ronan McNamara (0-1), Keith Prendergast, Liam Kearns, Shane Treacy, Evan Ronane (0-2), Paul Caret, Michael Conroy. Subs used: Aidan McTigue, Josh Ronayne, Jack Ronayne, Micheal Mangan.
Referee: Jerome Henry.
