Westport B 7-7  Davitts 2-17

Westport’s ability to find the back of the net proved the difference between two well matched teams in the U-16 E Championship Shield final played in Mayo Abbey on Monday evening.

Aaron O Dea, hugely influential at midfield for Davitts, put his side ahead with a first minute point. Westport, assisted by the strong breeze, equalised a minute later but Davitts points from Aaron O Dea and Odhran O Connaire put them two up before Westport notched their first goal in the 8^th minute to take the lead.  Westport added a point in the next minute but Davitts points from Blake Bradley and Niall McDermott tied the game. Westport fired home their second goal in the 12^th minute and followed that with two more goals and three points before the 20^th minute as they threatened to run riot. The Davitts lads, displaying great character, dug in and an Aaron O Dea point in the 22^nd minute, was followed by a Niall McDermott goal, finished to the net soccer style, after a Cormac Devane goal effort was parried by the Westport keeper. The Westport keeper was vigilant on a number of occasions denying Davitts while Adam Sheridan pulled off a couple of fine saves in the Davitts goals too as the chances were piling up for both sides. Aaron O Dea pointed in the 24^th minute to narrow the deficit to seven but Westport shot a 26^th minute point and a 27^th minute goal to go eleven points clear with half time beckoning. Davitts fought back again and Adam Rattigan goaled, flicking Tadhg Kirrane’s pass to the net and Tadhg Kirrane pointed in the last two minutes of the half to leave Westport ahead by 5-6 to 2-8 at the break.

Davitts needed a good start to the second half but a Westport goal in the 32^nd minute was a real sucker punch. Davitts played their best football in the next twenty minutes and points from Aaron O Dea, Adam Rattigan, Cormac Devane and three from Blake Bradley left four points between the teams with ten minutes remaining. Westport lifted the siege with a 51^st minute point but Davitts points from Aaron O Dea and Malachy Devane in the 56^th and 57^th minutes left three between the sides with three minutes remaining. The overworked Westport defence withstood some severe pressure in this period but it was the West Mayo lads that had the final say with a breakaway goal in the last minute to win a very entertaining match by a flattering six points.

The Davitts players can hold their heads high after a battling performance. They played some great football over the hour. The defence were up against a slick Westport attack that punished some errors clinically. Cathal Cummins had a great game at corner back as had Odhran O Connaire (0-2) at number six and Tom Roche.  Sean Burke, Jack Brogan and Pearse Diskin battled hard until the final whistle. Aaron O Dea (0-6) had an excellent game with Malachy Devane (0-1) giving him great support at midfield. All of the forwards got on the scoresheet and they displayed a fine workrate and plenty of skill. Cormac Devane (0-1), Blake Bradley (0-4), Niall McDermott (1-1), Tadhg Kirrane (0-1) and Adam Rattigan (1-1) all worked tirelessly throughout the game.

Thanks to the management of Gabriel Devane, Dave McDonagh and Niall Roche who put in a huge effort with this team over the year.