Seniors v Knockmore – Match Report
Davitts 0-11 | Knockmore 1-7
Davitts and Knockmore met in this Division 1A Senior League match in Ballindine on Saturday evening with the home side coming out on top by the minimum margin. Both teams were well understrength and a point by Davitts lively sub Matthew Trench with two minutes remaining was the winning score although Knockmore had a chance to equalise with the last kick of the game but Kieran Langan was narrowly wide from a difficult free kick.
Davitts flew from the traps and had shot four fine points in the opening five minutes through Ronan McNamara, Keith Prendergast, Thomas Waldron and Josh Ronayne. Knockmore responded in great style and points from the impressive Keith Ruttledge (3), Kevin O Neill, Aaron Dempsey and Francie O Neill had them ahead by two points with five minutes remaining in the half. Davitts finished the half like they started and Ronan McNamara and Colm Roche pointed to leave the sides level, 0-6 apiece, at the interval.
Josh Ronayne put Davitts back in front in the fourth minute of the second half but a Keith Ruttledge goal from a long Stephen Sweeney delivery in the eighth minute put the visitors on top again. Liam Kearns and Josh Ronayne pointed to equalise but Knockmore midfielder Tom Clarke put his side in front with five minutes remaining. Josh Ronayne equalised two minutes later and Matthew Trench fired over the winning score in a tense finish to the game that ensures Davitts Division 1A status for next season.
Best performers for Davitts in this game were Cathal Higgins, Kevin Gallagher, Donal Ronayne, Colm Roche, Ronan McNamara, Michael Waldron, Josh Ronayne, Liam Kearns and Thomas Waldron.
Knockmore were best served by Francie O Neill, Brian Gibbons, Kieran Langan, Tom Clarke, Stephen Sweeney, Ger Gaughan and Keith Ruttledge.
Davitts: Adrian McNamara, Mark Ronayne, Cathal Higgins, Kevin Gallagher, Donal Ronayne, Padraig Mangan, Colm Roche (0-1), Ronan McNamara (0-2), Michael Waldron, Josh Ronayne (0-4), Keith Prendergast (0-1), Liam Kearns (0-1), Darren Connolly, Andrew Peters, Thomas Waldron (0-1). Sub used: Matthew Trench (0-1).
Knockmore: Colm Reape, Francie O Neill (0-1), Brian Gibbons, Kevin Armstrong, Kevin Horgan, Kieran Langan, Alan Loftus, Tom Clarke (0-1), Stephen Sweeney, David McHale, Anthony Hennigan, Diarmuid Walsh, Kevin O Neill (0-1), Ger Gaughan, Keith Ruttledge (1-3). Subs used: Aaron Dempsey (0-1), Tom Hanley.
Referee: Johnny Burke (Hollymount Carramore).
