South Mayo Minor ‘A’ Final – Match Report
Claremorris captured the South Mayo Minor ‘A’ Title when their power and strength in depth carried them through in an extra time victory over a gallant Davitts side, on a 0-15 to 1-9 scoreline. While Claremorris were lucky to snatch the draw in normal time, as they scored three late frees to tie the game, no-one can deny that they were the stronger side.
Claremorris started the game brightly and raced into a 0-3 to 0-0 lead before Davitts began to settle into the game. Davitts, with four superbly worked points scored by Michael Clarke, Gerald Griffin, Thomas Waldron and Richie O Connor took the lead after twenty minutes and then scored a great goal. After a slick move involving a number of players, Liam Noone finished incisively past Claremorris keeper Marc Mulligan to the delight of the large Davitts crowd. Two Claremorris points and a long range Michael Clarke free left Davitts ahead by 1-5 to 0-5 at the break.
It was tit for tat in the second half but an injury to Davitts influencial centre half forward Matthew Trench early in that second half certainly didn’t help their cause. Points from Jack Rogers, a superb effort from Evan Ronayne, Liam Noone and Michael Clarke had Davitts in front by 1-9 to 0-9 with five minutes of normal time remaining. However those three late frees from Claremorris, the third a real pressure kick converted by the ice cool Ciaran Walsh, deep into stoppage time, took the game into extra time, with the referee Kevin Connelly certainly not endearing himself to the Davitts lads who felt that the last free awarded was of the very handy variety.
Claremorris were well on top in extra time, scoring three times, with Davitts, out on their feet and unable to add to their tally.
Every Davitts player gave their all in this game and it was heartbreaking to see the game slip away at the finish. This group of players though have the right spirit and attitude they will don the red and black with pride for many years to come. Good luck to Claremorris in their attempts to win the County title, it will take a very good team to stop them.
Davitts team: Michael Mangan, Dylan Keadin, William Freeley, John Huane, Jack Rogers (0-1), Donal Ronayne, Cathal Hennelly, Padraig Mangan, Thomas Waldron (0-1), Liam Noone (1-1), Matthew Trench, Evan Ronayne (0-1), Richie O Connor (0-1), Michael Clarke (0-3), Gerald Griffin (0-1). Subs used: Patrick Keadin, Shane Treacy, Jamie Mullee.
