Seniors v Ballina – Match Report
Davitts 2-12 Ballina Stephenites 0-13
The two sides relegated from Division 1A of the Senior League last year met in Ballindine on Saturday evening with the home team claiming the two valuable league points. The exchanges were close early on and the sides were level, 0-3 apiece after twelve minutes with Davitts points from Josh Ronayne, Colm Boyle and Michael Conroy cancelled out by two from Evan Regan and another from the impressive Ciaran Treacy for the visitors.
Davitts struck for a vital goal in the 13th minute when Michael Conroy set up a goal chance for Keith Prendergast whose rasping shot was parried by David Clarke but full forward Ronan McNamara was on hand to goal from the rebound. The Davitts lads had their tails up and driven on by Colm Boyle, easily the most influential figure in the first half, they added points from McNamara, Liam Kearns, Josh Ronayne and a superb score by Cathal Hennelly, after a sweeping move, to extend their lead to seven points as the halftime whistle beckoned. Ballina wing back Lorcan Healy narrowed the gap with a terrific score from the right wing but Josh Ronayne pointed again for Davitts to leave them ahead by 1-8 to 0-4 at the break.
Ballina came out for the second half in determined fashion and claimed the opening two points of the half via Evan Regan and Ciaran Treacy. Cathal Hennelly pointed for Davitts in the 6th minute but another brace from Regan and Treacy left just four points between the sides after eleven minutes. Davitts captain Declan Healy then produced a goal of real quality, fielding Michael Conroy’s long delivery before shooting into the top corner with a superb finish from a tight angle. Points from Treacy (2) and Regan for Ballina narrowed the gap to four but they could never get closer. Hennelly and Kearns for Davitts and Treacy and Regan again for Ballina added points before Ronan McNamara scored a huge point from play, after great work by Michael Conroy, to finish the game off in fine style for the homeside.
Davitts had great displays from Cathal Higgins, Cathal Hennelly, James Cummins, Declan Healy, Colm Boyle, Ronan McNamara and Michael Conroy, who was a real thorn in the Ballina defence all through the game.
Ballina were best served by Patrick O’Hora, Lorcan Healy, Sean Regan, Jack Irwin, Rory Campion, Evan Regan and Ciaran Treacy.
Davitts: Adrian McNamara, Cathal Higgins, Padraig Mangan, Colm Roche, James Cummins, Johnno Clarke, Cathal Hennelly (0-3), Colm Boyle (0-1), Declan Healy (1-0), Liam Kearns (0-2), Keith Prendergast, Thomas Waldron, Josh Ronayne (0-3), Ronan McNamara (1-2), Michael Conroy (0-1). Subs used: Evan Ronayne, Micheal Mangan, Michael Waldron, Martin Cosgrove.
Ballina: David Clarke, Stephen Mullin, Patrick O’Hora, David O’Mahoney, Lorcan Healy (0-1), Sean Regan, Thomas Doherty, Kieran Sweeney, Jack Irwin, Adrian Kelly, Levi Tierney, Rory Campion, Evan Regan (0-6), Kevin Newell, Ciaran Treacy (0-6). Subs used: Brendan Murray, Rory Tigue, Sean McGarry, Noel McLoughlin.
Referee: Ronan Gurren.
