Seniors v Ballintubber – Match Report
Ballintubber 2-12
Davitts 1-11
The current County Senior Champions hosted the Intermediate Champions in this intriguing Mayo Senior League match in Ballintubber, with the homeside coming out on top by four points after an entertaining game. Davitts got off to a blistering start, with Ronan McNamara in dominant form at midfield, and led by 1-5 to 0-2 after 15 minutes, the goal coming after Josh Ronayne’s long delivery was flicked on by Liam Kearns to David McDonagh who gave Brendan Walsh no chance with a clever finish. Davitts, at this stage, were playing great football but the experience of the homeside saw them claw back into the game with a splendid piece of opportunism by Cillian O Connor, who finished emphatically after a defensive slip, to put Ballintubber back in the game, and points from the impressive Padraig O Connor and Alan Plunkett had the Tubber ahead by 1-8 to 1-6 at half time.
Ballintubber extended their lead with points from the O Connors and Danny Geraghty before Padraig O Connor blasted past Mark Diskin to put them firmly in control with 15 minutes remaining. Davitts could have lied down but instead they showed great character and tenacity to tag on points via Josh Ronayne (3) and McNamara (2) as they took the game to their hosts, with Colm Boyle, Paul Carey and Josh Ronayne leading the charge.
Ballintubber deservedly won the game and had splendid contributions from Cathal Hallinan, the three O Connor brothers, Ruadhri, Cillian and Padraig, Danny Geraghty, Alan Plunkett and Alan Dillon.
Davitts were best served by Tommy Nolan, Colm Boyle, Ronan McNamara, Paul Carey, Liam Kearns and Josh Ronayne.
Ballintubber: Brendan Walsh, Liam Tunney, Cathal Hallinan, Paul Earley, Myles Kelly, Tom Earley, Ruadhri O Connor, Jason Gibbons, Danny Geraghty (0-1), Damien Coleman, Alan Dillon, Alan Plunkett (0-2), Damien McGing (0-1), Cillian O Connor (1-4), Padraig O Connor (1-4). Subs used: Kevin McGuinness, Johnny Duffy, Gary Loftus.
Davitts: Mark Diskin, Colm Roche, Michael Waldron, Tommy Nolan, Michael Ronayne, Colm Boyle, James Cummins, Ronan McNamara (0-4), Keith Prendergast, Paul Carey, Josh Ronayne (0-5), Liam Kearns, Aidan McTigue (0-2), Fearghal McGrath, David McDonagh (1-0). Subs used: Andrew Peters, Carlos O Gara, Pat Coyne, Johnno Clarke.
Ref: Martin Murphy.
