Seniors v Garrymore – Match Report
Davitts 1-10 Garrymore 1-9
Davitts and Garrymore fought out a tense and exciting local derby in the opening round of the Senior League Div 1A in Ballindine on Saturday evening with Davitts just about shading the issue by a point.
Garrymore, facing into a stiff wind, opened in whirlwind fashion, racing into a 1-2 to 0-0 lead after just 4 minutes with a goal finished by Myles Fallon and points from Martin Maloney and the impressive Shane Nally. Davitts began to compose themselves, in front of a fine crowd, and points from man of the match Michael Conroy, Ronan McNamara, Josh Ronayne (2) with a response from Caolann Crowe for the visitors left Garrymore ahead by 1-3 to 0-4 midway through the half.
The hugely impressive Conroy and Fearghal McGrath narrowed the gap with two good points and a superb goal from Conroy, after great work from Seamus Roche and Ronan McNamara, put Davitts ahead for the first time in the game in the 21st minute.
Jimmy Killeen pointed a minute later but Josh Ronayne and Michael Conroy exteneded the homeside’s lead before Enda Varley opened his account a minute into injury time to leave Davitts ahead by 1-8 to 1-5 at the break..
Garrymore, the wind at their backs, tried hard to peg the lead back but it was Davitts, adopting a very defensive policy, who opened the second half scoring, after seven minutes through Michael Conroy, converting a free after he was crudely taken down by Alan Reilly, probably a lucky man to stay on the field for this indiscretion. Garrymore began to get a grip around the midfield sector through Shane Nally and Caolann Crowe and Mark Tierney and Enda Varley narrowed the deficit before Seamus Roche scored a spectacular point from an impossible angle to restore a three point lead for the homeside with sixteen minutes remaining.
In the last quarter Garrymore only managed two points, via Enda Varley and David Dolan, with Davitts defending superbly to hold out for a one point win.
Best for Davitts were Mark Ronayne, Padraig Mangan, Colm Boyle, Josh Ronayne, Seamus Roche, Paul Carey and the excellent Michael Conroy.
Garrymore had outstanding performances from Jarlath Varley, a bang in form Shane Nally, Caolann Crowe, Enda Varley, Mark Tierney and sub David Dolan.
Davitts: Adrian McNamara, Mark Ronayne, Padraig Mangan, Kevin Gallagher, Colm Roche, Keith Prendergast, Colm Boyle, Ronan McNamara (0-1), Josh Ronayne (0-3), Seamus Roche (0-1), Paul Carey, Thomas Waldron, Fearghal McGrath (0-1), Liam Kearns, Michael Conroy (1-4). Subs used: Michael Waldron, Matthew Trench, Donal Ronayne.
Garrymore: Morven Connolly, Jarlath Varley, Kieran Cunningham, Alan Commins, Dara Henry, Alan Reilly, Martin Maloney (0-1), Shane Nally (0-1), Caolann Crowe (0-1), Jimmy Killeen (0-1), Enda Varley (0-3), Myles Fallon (1-0), Michael Connolly, Anthony Cunningham, Mark Tiernry (0-1). Subs used: Brian Walsh, David Dolan (0-1).
Referee: Ronan Gurren.
