Seniors v Claremorris – Match Report
Claremorris 1-8 Davitts 3-8
Davitts made the short journey to Claremorris on Saturday and got their Senior Championship campaign off to a winning start with a six point victory over the locals in a game played in glorious sunshine in front of a large attendance.
Claremorris got off to a great start and points from James Shaughnessy (3) and John Hutton, with Josh Ronayne getting Davitts sole reply, had the homeside ahead by 0-4 to 0-1 after fourteen minutes. Davitts burst into life then and a long delivery from the very influential Colm Boyle found Ronan McNamara who offloaded to Aidan McTigue who slotted to the net to level the scores. Josh Ronayne put Davitts ahead with a fine point in the 18th minute and a long range Ronan McNamara point put the visitors two up. Liam Feeley, who had a fine game for Claremorris pointed in the 22nd minute but from the kickout, Davitts attacked and Ronan McNamara was taken down in the square, resulting in a black card for Claremorris full back Brian Fahy. Liam Kearns gave Claremorris goalie Keith Saunders no chance with the subsequent penalty. Davitts were leading by four points now and Cathal Hennelly was denied another Davitts goal on the stroke of halftime when Saunders saved well after Hennelly had burst through the Claremorris defence.
Josh Ronayne opened the second half scoring and Liam Kearns extended the Davitts lead in the 7th minute. Claremorris had plenty of possession and chances but some wayward shooting didn’t help their cause. Claremorris keeper Keith Saunders pulled off another great save in the 13th minute and Davitts talisman Michael Conroy had to retire through injury, which was a major blow to the visitors. Ryan Quirke pointed in the fifteenth minute and Liam Feeley had the home crowd on their feet three minutes later when he shot home a great goal, after good work by Sean Diskin and James Shaughnessy, to leave just two points between the sides. Davitts responded in the best possible fashion with Josh Ronayne fielding the kickout, passing to Colm Boyle who charged forward and played a neat one two with Declan Healy before supplying Josh Ronayne with a great pass and he buried a superb shot to the Claremorris net to restore Davitts five point lead. James Shaughnessy narrowed the gap but Liam Kearns and sub Thomas Waldron pointed in the 24th and 25th minutes. Liam Feeley for Claremorris and Thomas Waldron for Davitts completed the scoring with two late points.
Davitts will be delighted to have come away with the victory and played some great football, especially in the second half. Cathal Higgins, James Cummins, Colm Boyle, Cathal Hennelly, Michael Conroy, Liam Kearns, Josh Ronayne and Thomas Waldron were their standout performers.
Best for a young Claremorris side were Keith Saunders, James Stretton, Liam Feeley, James Shaughnessy and John Hutton.
Claremorris: Keith Saunders, James Stretton, Brian Fahy, Stephen Brennan, David O Reilly, Liam Feeley (1-2), Ciaran Finn, David Egan, Shane Prendergast, John Hutton (0-1), Ryan Quirke (0-1), Colin Gill, James Shaughnessy (0-4), James McCormack, Brendan Walsh. Subs used: Mikey Higgins, Sean Diskin and Mikey Gallagher.
Davitts: Adrian McNamara, Colm Roche, Cathal Higgins, Kevin Gallagher, James Cummins, Colm Boyle, Johnno Clarke, Keith Prendergast, Declan Healy, Cathal Hennelly, Michael Conroy, Liam Kearns (1-2), Josh Ronayne (1-3), Ronan McNamara (0-1), Aidan McTigue (1-0). Subs used: Thomas Waldron (0-2), Andrew Peters, Michael Waldron.
Referee: Declan Corcoran.
