Davitts 3-8  Claremorris 3-9

Davitts were narrowly defeated by a battling Claremorris team in the first round of the South Mayo Junior Championship in Ballindine on Thursday evening. The game was played in very difficult conditions and, after a forgettable first half, the teams sprung into life after the break with both sides playing some great football.

Davitts led by 0-5 to 0-2 at half-time after both sides were guilty of some sloppy play and very poor shooting in the first period. Ronan McNamara (3), Ronan Kelly and Jack Devane were the scorers for the home team.

Claremorris came out fighting after the break and they shot three points in the first five minutes of the second half to level matters. Davitts points in the next four minutes from Keith Prendergast, Ronan Kelly and a Ronan McNamara goal, following some neat approach play by Cian Naughton and Keith Prendergast, had them five clear and looking good. Ciaran Treacy extended the lead to six with a 40^th minute point but a scrambled Claremorris goal two minutes later gave them a much needed boost. Davitt responded to this setback with a fantastic goal by Jack Devane in the 41^st minute, finishing superbly after great play by Johnno Clarke and Fionn McLoughlin.

The visitors refused to lie down though and points in the 44^th and 45^th minutes and a 46^th minute goal brought them right back into the game. Ronan McNamara got his second and Davitts’ third goal of the game in the 50^th minute, after being set-up by Ronan Kelly, and Davitts went four points clear. A Davitts defensive error however, in the 52^nd minute was pounced on and punished by a Claremorris goal, and the visitors levelled the match with a 55^th minute point. Claremorris took the lead for the first time in the 58^th minute and that’s the way it remained until referee Johnny Burke blew the final whistle to end a thrilling encounter.

Conor McDermott, Danny Corless, Johnno Clarke, Aidan Macken, Cian Naughton, Ronan Kelly, Jack Devane and Ronan McNamara were very good for a Davitts team who will wonder how they managed to lose this tie.

Davitts: Tristan Diskin, Conor McDermott, Donie Ronayne, Sean Keadin, Johnno Clarke, Aidan Macken, Danny Corless, Cian Naughton, John Kilkenny, Ronan Kelly (0-2), Keith Prendergast (0-1), Fionn McLoughlin, Davey Hennessy, Ronan McNamara (2-3), Jack Devane (1-1). Subs used: Ciaran Treacy (0-1), Burke Briere, Liam Macken, Colm Roche.