Ballinrobe 1-12  Davitts 2-6

Ballinrobe captured the South Mayo Minor B title after a hard fought final win over Davitts in Ballinrobe on Tuesday evening. Most present expected this game to go down to the wire and the two committed groups of players didn’t dissappoint, the result in doubt right up to the final whistle. A greasy ball and a very tricky swirling wind made the conditions difficult but this was a very entertaining game

Ciaran Treacy gave Davitts an early lead with a first minute point and moments later a smart save by the Robe keeper denied Ronan Kelly a goal. Two points from the homeside in the 3^rd and 4^th minutes saw them nose ahead but Davitts captain, the outstanding Conor McDermott, equalised with a fine left-footed kick in the 5^th minute. The home team took the lead a minute later but a converted 45 by Dylan O Brien tied the game again in the 8^th minute. A Ballinrobe in the 11^th minute was cancelled out by Fionn McTigue two minutes later. Ballinrobe took the lead again in the 18^th minute and two superb saves by Davitts keeper Dylan O Brien in the 23^rd minute sandwiched a brilliant Conor McDermott goal to put his side ahead by two points. Robe pulled a point back two minutes later but Ciaran Treacy pointed in the 26^th minute to restore his side’s two point lead. In the 30^th minute, Davitts struck for a second goal, finished by Noah O Brien after great approach play by Burke Briere and Ronan Kelly. The home side’s reply was impressive, grabbing a crucial goal of their own almost immediately, to leave Davitts ahead by 2-5 to 1-6 at the break.

Ballinrobe fairly dominated the third quarter but great Davitts defending, particularly from Tadhg Feerick, Fionn McTigue and Conor McDermott, and some excellent goal-keeping by Dylan O Brien, limited them to three points in that period, in the 32^nd, 38^th and 44^th minutes. The Ballinrobe keeper was also earning his corn at the other end of the field. A great Tadhg Feerick point levelled the game again in the 55^th minute. Ballinrobe edged ahead within a minute. Davitts missed a couple of chances to equalise but in the 58^th minute Ciaran Treacy got on the end of a Davitts move and, rather than taking the point, he went for the jugular but his goal effort unluckily smashed off the butt of the post with the Robe keeper stranded. A black card for Davitts’ Sean Clarke with minutes remaining wasn’t ideal. The home side went upfield and shot a super point in the 59^th minute and added another on the stroke of full-time to clinch the title.

Dylan O Brien, Conor McDermott, Fionn McTigue, Tadhg Feerick, Sean Clarke and Ciaran Treacy were best for Davitts.

Dylan O Brien (0-1), Tadhg Feerick (0-1), Ben Corless, Noah O Brien (1-0), Conor McDermott (1-1), Fionn McTigue (0-1), Burke Briere, Dylan Burke, Sean Clarke, Ronan Kelly, Aaron Conneely Basham, Ciaran Treacy (0-2), Dylan Gormley. Subs used: Odhran O Conaire, Eimhin Kenny.