U-16’s defeated by Ballinrobe in South B Final
Davitts and Ballinrobe served up a cracking match in the South Mayo U-16 B Final in Glencorrib on Thursday evening. After an epic battle, Ballinrobe came out on top on a 3-12 to 2-12 scoreline. Ballinrobe won because their attack as a unit was slicker and more economical but Davitts had the outstanding player on the field in full forward Cathal Hennelly who accounted for all but two points of his team’s tally in an outstanding individual display.
Ballinrobe led by two points at halftime, 1-5 to 0-6, with Hennelly (5) and Gerard Griffin the scorers.
Ballinrobe pointed in the opening minute of the second half but Davitts responded well with a fine Hennelly goal. With ten minutes remaining Ballinrobe led by 3-8 to 1-9 but Davitts refused to lie down. Urged on by the promptings of Dylan Keadin, Padraig and Michael Mangan, Seanie Bourke, Jack Rodgers
and the superb Hennelly they rallied. Richie O Connor and Hennelly pointed before Hennelly scored a brilliant goal after great work from Rodgers, to tie the game. Hennelly put Davitts a point up with less than five minutes remaining to set up a grandstand finish. It was Ballinrobe who finished the stronger however punishing four fouls by Davitts defenders with four confidently coverted frees to win a pulsating encounter.
While the Davitts boys will be disappointed, they should be proud of the great year they have had, reaching South Mayo and County Championship finals (losing both narrowly) but winning the League, and have given their supporters lots to shout about. Thanks to team mentors JP Kirrane, Liam Griffin and Joe Mangan for the massive amount of work they put into the team all year.
Davitts Team: Thomas Monaghan, Dylan Keadin, Christopher Ryan, Dylan Higgins, Seanie Bourke,Michael Mangan, Denis Og Fahy, Jack Rodgers, Padraig Mangan, Evan Ronayne,
Gerard Griffin (0-1), Mikie Devane, Shane Treacy, Cathal Hennelly (2-10), Richie O Connor (0-1). Subs used: Jamie Mullee, Ciaran Waldron.
