Seniors v Ballina – Match Report
Ballina 2-9 Davitts1-8
Davitts and Ballina met in this senior league Div 1A game played in Ballina on Sunday with the homeside coming out on top having played second fiddle to a very young Davitts outfit for most of the game.
Davitts played with the assistance of the wind in the first half and a fourth minute goal by Liam Kearns, who finished well after being put through by Ronan McNamara had them off to a flyer. Ballina responded well and Colm Leonard pointed before Patrick McHale goaled after hesitancy in the Davitts defence. The hugely impressive Thomas Waldron pointed twice as did Josh Ronayne with livewire Andrew Peters adding another to put the visitors four up after 25 minutes. Evan Regan and Eanna Casey for Ballina and Andrew Peters for Davitts pointed before the break to leave Davitts in front by 1-7 to 1-3 at halftme. This advantage would and should have been greater but for a couple of clear cut goal chances squandered.
Ballina began to get back into the game after the interval and Liam Brady and Evan Regan pointed before Davitts captain Ronan McNamara pulled one back. The game’s crucial moment came in the twelfth minute of the half when Davitts Liam Kearns blasted a penalty wide after Johnno Clarke was fouled. Ballina, encouraged by this let off, finished the game well when it looked like Davitts were going to hang on. Late points from Eanna Casey, sub Kevin Twoomey and Pat Harte and an Eanna Casey goal gave the homeside a win that even the most ardent Ballina supporters would admit, seemed very unlikely for most of the game.
Ballina’s best players were Colm leonard, Ronan McGarrity, Eanna Casey, Pat Harte and Patrick McHale.
Donal Ronayne, Cathal Higgins, Kevin Gallagher, Alan Roche, Thomas Waldron and Andrew Peters were best for a gallant Davitts side.
Ballina: J Healy, P O Hara, A Tigue, T Doherty, L Healy, C Leonard (0-1), S Mullins, R Smyth, R McGarrity, K Tigue, E Casey (1-2), P Harte (0-1), P McHale (1-0), L Brady (0-1), E Regan (0-2). Subs used: K Twoomey (0-1), D Brunker, B Murray, R Campion.
Davitts: D Mitchell, D Ronayne, C Higgins, K Gallagher, J Clarke, A Roche, J Cummins, R McNamara (0-1), K Prendergast, J Ronayne (0-2), D McDonagh, C O Gara, T Waldron (0-2), A Peters (0-2), L Kearns (1-1). Subs used: C Hennelly, L Noone, M Ronayne.
