Seniors v Ballina Stephenites – Match Report
Davitts 2-6 Ballina Stephenites 0-11
Davitts and Ballina served up an entertaining match in this Michael Walsh Senior League tie played in testing conditions in Ballindine on Sunday. Davitts just about deserved the victory and two well taken first half goals by Ronan McNamara were the difference between the two sides.
Ballina began brightly and raced into a three point lead before the lively Cathal Hennelly opened the Davitts account with a well taken point. McNamara’s first goal came in the eighth minute flicking Liam Kearns long delivery past David Clarke to give the homeside a lead they never surrendered. Another McNamara goal five minutes later gave Davitts a nice cushion and they went in 2-4 to 0-5 ahead at the break with Josh Ronayne (2) and Liam Kearns completing the tally.
Ballina came out firing in the second half and they took the game to Davitts. They reduced the lead to the minimum with twelve minutes remaining. Davitts were struggling now but a fine Ronan McNamara point lifted the siege. Ballina pointed and this was cancelled out by Sean Waldron. Ballina got the final score of the match as the overworked Davitts defence held out.
Outstanding for Davitts were Tommy Nolan, Donal Ronayne, Cathal Higgins, Sean Waldron, Matthew Trench, Josh Ronayne, Ronan McNamara and Cathal Hennelly.
Davitts: David Mitchell, Donal Ronayne, Tommy Nolan, John Clarke, Martin Cosgrove, Cathal Higgins, James Cummins, Sean Waldron (0-1), Michael Waldron, Matthew Trench, Josh Ronayne (0-2), Liam Kearns (0-1), Mark Ronayne, Ronan McNamara (2-1), Cathal Hennelly (0-1). Subs used: Michael Mangan, Andrew Peters, William Freeley, Shane Mitchell and Tommy Clarke.
