Seniors v Claremorris – Match Report
Davitts 0-7 | Claremorris 0-10
Claremorris picked up two valuable Senior League Div 1A points in Ballindine on Saturday evening when defeating a very disappointing Davitts team by three points in a game played in difficult weather conditions. Claremorris, desperate for the points, were the hungrier team from the start and led by two points at halftime, 0-6 to 0-4, having had the assistance of the wind in the first half.
Michael Conroy opened the scoring in the 7th minute and Liam Feeley equalised two minutes later. Keith Prendergast for Davitts and Alan Healy for the visitors exchanged scores before James Shaughnessy put Claremorris ahead in the twelfth minute. Michael Conroy and Josh Ronayne pointed to put Davitts ahead again but Claremorris dominated the last ten minutes of the half and Ryan Quirke (2) and Alan Healy points had them ahead by two points at the interval.
A fine Michael Conroy point just after the restart looked like it might kickstart a revival for the homeside but it was Claremorris, displaying the greater urgency, who began to get a firm grip on the game, despite the efforts of Davitts impressive midfielder Ronan McNamara. Kieran Finn, Shane Walsh and Alan Healy pointed to go four points clear. Josh Ronayne narrowed that gap to two with scores in the 10th and 26th minutes. Claremorris saw the game out however and sub Nicky Pilbrow got the games only other score in second half injury time to give his side a well deserved victory.
Davitts had lost the services of Aidan McTigue (sent off) and Colm Boyle (injured) for the last ten minutes.
Claremorris are still in big relegation danger but will be encouraged by this display and had fine performers in Brian Fahy, Aidan Butler, James Stretton, Ryan Quirke, Alan Healy, Liam Feeley and Kieran Finn.
Davitts, still not safe from relegation, will want to forget this game in a hurry. Ronan McNamara was superb at midfield but besides him only Kevin Gallagher, Colm Roche, Keith Prendergast, Josh Ronayne and sub Matthew Trench came out of the game with their reputations intact.
Claremorris: Alvin McCallig, Brian Fahy, Aidan Butler, John Broderick, James Stretton, Ryan Quirke (0-2), Ronan Finn, Shane Walsh (0-1), David Egan, Alan Healy (0-3), Shane Prendergast, Kieran Finn (0-1), James Shaughnessy (0-1), Liam Feeley (0-1), Shane Meehan. Subs used: John Hutton, Cian Brennan, Brendan Walsh, Nicky Pilbrow (0-1).
Davitts: Adrian McNamara, Colm Roche, Cathal Higgins, Kevin Gallagher, Donal Ronayne, Colm Boyle, Martin Cosgrove, Ronan McNamara, Padraig Mangan, Keith Prendergast (0-1), Josh Ronayne (0-3), Thomas Waldron, Andrew Peters, Michael Conroy (0-3), Aidan McTigue. Subs used: Matthew Trench, Michael Waldron, Liam Kearns.
Referee: Mel Kenny.
