Seniors v Garrymore – Match Report
Garrymore 1-13 Davitts1-10
Garrymore played hosts to neighbours Davitts in the County Senior Championship on Saturday evening and were full value for their three point victory. The homeside dominated the midfield sector for most of the game with man of the match Brendan Cunningham having a blinder alongside Shane Nally.
Liam Kearns opened the scoring with a tidy first minute point for Davitts but Garrymore replied with points from the impressive Mark Tierney (2) and Jimmy Killeen in the next five minutes. Ronan McNamara, after an excellent fetch, pointed in the eighth minute and Aidan McTigue put the visitors ahead on ten minutes when he flicked Liam Kearns long delivery to the Garrymore net after good work from Ronan McNamara.
Davitts however were unable to push on and instead, Garrymore took complete control of the remainder of the half. Tierney pointed and Caolan Crowe, a menacing figure throughout the match, collected a long delivery and shot on the turn giving Davitts goalie Adrian McNamara no chance in the 14th minute, to put his side two points up.
Further points from Killeen, Kenneth Lydon and Tierney (2) with Davitts only reply coming from a Cathal Hennelly point in the 21st minute, left Garrymore ahead by 1-8 to 1-3 at the interval.
Josh Ronayne pulled a point back for Davitts in the first minute of the second half and a Liam Kearns point narrowed the gap to three in the 10th minute. Two fine points from Shane Nally and Caolan Crowe restored Garrymore’s five point lead in the next two minutes. Liam Kearns and Josh Ronayne pointed for Davitts and Jimmy Killeen replied in the 20th minute before Shane Nally posted a monster free kick from 60 metres to the delight of the home crowd.
A Kearns point in the 54th minute was cancelled out by Brendan Cunningham, whose
shot for goal was expertly tipped over the bar by Davitts keeper Adrian McNamara. Indeed McNamara had kept his side in the game with two other fine saves in this period of the game.
Davitts were throwing everything they had at Garrymore in the closing minutes and scores from Colm Boyle and Liam Kearns left three points in it with the game entering injury time. They were unable to find the goal they needed however and Garrymore held on to gain the victory that keeps them in the Championship race.
Outstanding for Garrymore were Brendan Cunningham, Jimmy King, David Dolan, Shane Nally, Trevor Nally, Caolan Crowe and Mark Tierney.
Best for a disappointing Davitts team were Adrian McNamara, Cathal Hennelly, Thomas Waldron, Cathal Higgins, Colm Boyle and Liam Kearns.
Garrymore: Brian Lynskey, Dara Henry, Alan Reilly, Jimmy King, Kieran Cunningham, David Dolan, Diarmuid Griffith, Shane Nally (0-2), Brendan Cunningham (0-1), Trevor Nally, Caolan Crowe (1-1), Kenneth Lydon (0-1), Jimmy Killeen (0-4), Anthony Cunningham, Mark Tierney (0-4). Subs used: Michael Connolly, Jamie Oates, Darren Quinn, Brian Walsh.
Davitts: Adrian McNamara, Colm Roche, Cathal Higgins, Johnno Clarke, James Cummins, Keith Prendergast, Thomas Waldron, Cathal Hennelly (0-1), Liam Kearns (0-5), Michael Conroy, Josh Ronayne (0-3), Ronan McNamara (0-1), Aidan McTigue (1-0). Subs used: Kevin Gallagher, Andy Peters, Evan Ronayne, Michael Waldron.
Referee: Ronan Gurren.
