Westport 2-13  Davitts 1-8

Westport advanced to the final of the county U-21 A championship after seeing off the Davitts challenge in Sunday’s semi-final played in Westport. The home team were much more efficient in attack as Davitts squandered several scoring chances throughout the hour.

Westport, with the assistance of the wind in the opening half, got off the mark early with points in the first and third minutes. A sixth minute Ronan Kelly point opened the Davitts account but the hosts cancelled out that score in the next minute. Another Ronan Kelly point in the tenth minute narrowed the gap to a point but Westport replied with points in the 12^th and 16^th minutes and a 13^th minute goal, to open up a six point lead. Davitts, in contrast to the home team, were guilty of several poor misses and spurned four gilt-edged goal-scoring opportunities in the first half. Credit must go to the Westport defence for some impressive last gap interventions and their goalkeeper who pulled off some superb saves. Those saves included a 19^th minute stop from a well-struck Jack Melvin penalty, after Ciaran Treacy was fouled in the box. Westport capitalised on this let-off and added another goal and two points in the next four minutes to go eleven points ahead. A Ronan Kelly point in the 25^th minute, a well-taken Dylan Gallagher goal three minutes later and a 30^th minute Jack Melvin point, narrowed the deficit to six. Westport shot the last point of the half in injury-time to lead by 2-8 to 1-4 at the break.

Jack Melvin pointed from distance in the third minute of the second half but Davitts shooting was erratic as Westport broke away and tagged on the next four points. Davitts were working tirelessly as they tried in vain to get through for goals but were thwarted by the vigilant Westport keeper. Ronan Kelly, Fenton Kelly and Davey Hennessy all pointed in the final quarter as Westport picked off two of their own to run out the eight point winners.

Brian Óg McTigue, Sean Keadin, Cathal Corless, Jack Melvin, Thomas Ronayne, Ronan and Fenton Kelly and Ciaran Treacy fought hard but it was one of those games when very little went Davitts’ way. Westport will now play Castlebar in what should be a very lively final.

Davitts: Dylan O’Brien, Brian Óg McTigue, Michael Hett, Brian Birmingham, Burke Briere, Cathal Corless, Sean Keadin, Fenton Kelly (0-1), Mark Birmingham, Jack Devane, Jack Melvin (0-2), Fionn McLoughlin, Ciaran Treacy, Dylan Gallagher (1-0), Ronan Kelly (0-4). Subs used: Thomas Ronayne, Davey Hennessy (0-1), Tadhg Feerick, Dylan Burke.