Davitts 1-10  Claremorris 1-6

Davitts got the better of near neighbours Claremorris in the South Mayo Junior Championship after a close game played in Ballindine on Saturday evening. A Davitts goal scored by Dylan Gallagher in the 59^th minute finally put an end to the stubborn challenge of the Claremorris lads.

The first half was very cagey and after Dylan Gallagher gave Davitts the lead in the opening minute, Claremorris replied with a second minute point and a goal after eight minutes. The remainder of the half saw both sets of defenders coming out on top and there were only two more scores in that period, points from Mark Ronayne and Sean Feerick (both half-backs) for the home team. Davitts were unlucky not to score a goal in the 26^th minute when Stephen Nyland flicked a long Liam Kearns delivery off the post.

Claremorris extended their lead with a 39^th minute point but two similar Dylan Gallagher scores in the 41^st and 43^rd minutes levelled it. Claremorris took the lead again in the 45^th minute but two points from Dylan Gallagher and a great Aidan Macken scored point in the 51^st minute saw Davitts go two up. A Claremorris point in the 52^nd minute was cancelled out by Mark Birmingham three minutes later. The crucial score came in the 59^th minute with Davitts sub Joe Prendergast and Brian Birmingham linking up well to set up a goal chance for Dylan Gallagher and he duly obliged, giving the Claremorris keeper no chance. Claremorris pointed again in the 63^rd minute and again in the 66^th minute, sandwiching a fine Fionnan Gallagher point, as the home side took the spoils.

Brian Birmingham, Mark Ronayne, Sean Feerick, Mark Birmingham, Brian Og McTigue and Dylan Gallagher played well for Davitts but the second half introductions of Cian Naughton, Fionnan Gallagher and Joe Prendergast proved to be a masterstroke from Davitts astute management team of Billy Kearns, Tommy Ronayne and Padraig Mangan.

Davitts: Dave Mitchell, Brian Birmingham, Jordan Flanagan, Sean Keadin, Aaron Trench, Mark Ronayne (0-1), Sean Feerick (0-1), Aidan Macken (0-1), Mark Birmingham (0-1), Stephen Nyland, Liam Kearns, Brian Og McTigue, Dylan Gallagher (1-5), Colm Roche, Zack Keadin. Subs used: Cian Naughton, Fionnan Gallagher (0-1), Joe Prendergast, Lawrence Daly.