Davitts 5-16  Parke Keelogues Crimlin 2-17

Davitts qualified for the County U-17 B semi-final after an epic encounter with a gallant Parke Keelogues Crimlin side in Ballindine on Monday evening. The sides finished level, 2-12 apiece, after sixty minutes of superb football but it was the home side that finished the stronger in extra time.

PKC got off to a flying start with three points in the first four minutes. A fantastic Dylan Gallagher goal in the eighth minute settled down the Davitts lads. Both sides added a point to their tally, Cathal Corless with the Davitts score, leaving the sides level at the first water break. Davitts shot four good points in the second quarter courtesy of Dylan Gallagher, Conor McDermott (2) and Ronan Kelly, with PKC shooting three to leave Davitts ahead by a point, 1-5 to 0-7 at halftime.

Davitts shot the first three points of the second half with Dylan Gallagher and Cathal Corless (2) finding the target. PKC replied with points in the 37^th and 39^th minutes and a cracking goal in the 41^st minute to go into a one point lead.  Davitts response to this goal was swift and they cancelled it out thirty seconds later with a brilliant Fionn McLoughlin goal after a sweeping move involving Cathal Corless, Ronan Kelly, Conor McDermott and Harry Fallon. Cathal Corless extended Davitts lead to three points in the 47^th minute but the away side came storming back again scoring 1-2 without reply in the next four minutes to regain the lead. Two excellent Dylan Gallagher points tied the game again and Cathal Corless pointed in the 58^th minute to give Davitts the lead again but PKC equalised in injury time with the last kick of normal time.

Sean Keadin pointed in the first minute of extra time after a great run but PKC scored two points in the 3^rd and 4^th minutes. A foul on Dylan Gallagher led to Davitts being awarded a penalty in the 5^th minute and centre back Jack Melvin converted it confidently. PKC replied with a point before Dylan Gallagher pointed and then scored his second goal of the game, another top class finish after a brilliant run to put Davitts ahead by five points at half time in extra time.

A PKC point in the 11^th minute was matched by Cathal Corless in the 13^th minute. PKC pointed again in the 17^th minute but this was cancelled out by a Brian Corless point. The final score of the game came in the last minute when Fionn McLoughlin was fouled in the penalty box and Jack Melvin’s spot kick rattled the underside of the crossbar and he reacted quickest to goal from the rebound.

This was a hugely entertaining match between two very evenly matched teams. While all of the Davitts players played very well, the performances of Dylan O Brien, who brought off a number of top class saves, Sean Keadin, Jack Melvin, the outstanding Cathal Corless, Mark Birmingham, Conor McDermott, Finn McLoughlin and Dylan Gallagher, a player with huge potential, were key to ensuring Davitts passage to the semi-final.

Davitts: Dylan O Brien, Aaron Trench, Sean Keadin (0-1), Sean Meehan, Conor Feerick, Jack Melvin (2-0), Ethan Boyle, Mark Birmingham, Cathal Corless (0-6), Ronan Kelly (0-1), Conor McDermott (0-2), Ciaran Treacy, Dylan Gallagher (2-5), Harry Fallon, Finn McLoughlin (1-0). Subs used: Brian Corless (0-1), Brian Hett, Fionn McTigue, Ruadhan O Connaire.