U-21s v Ardnaree – Match Report
Davitts U-21’s qualified for the County B Final after a fine 3-13 to 2-4 victory over Ardnaree in Bekan last Sunday. They now play Ballaghaderreen in Saturday’s final in McHale Park at 5pm.
After Evan Ronane opened the scoring after two minutes with a tidy point but Ardnaree responded well with a goal and a point in the next five minutes. Davitts didn’t panic and after surviving a few scares, equalised with the alert Conor Keane goaling after Michael McGarry’s initial effort was saved by the Ardnaree keeper. Man of the match Ryan McLoughlin pointed to give Davitts the lead but this was cancelled out a minute later. Davitts then took over for the last twelve minutes of the half and the second goal came when Cathal Hennelly’s piledriver from thirty yards was parried by the keeper but fell to Ryan McLoughlin who slotted to the corner. Shane Treacy and Conor Keane added points as Davitts went in six points ahead, 2-5 to 1-2.
Whatever chances Ardnaree had of a comeback were dealt a major blow when their corner back received a second yellow card within a minute of the restart. Evan Ronane pointed for Davitts and when Michael McGarry goaled after a superb run by Shane Treacy it looked ominous for the North Mayo lads. Michael McGarry and Ryan McLoughlin extended the lead but Ardnaree fought back bravely. They pointed before they were awarded a penalty which was neatly converted. They were awarded another penalty less than a minute later after an incident which saw Davitts Patrick Keadin and Niall Kearns both receiving black cards. This penalty was brilliantly saved by Mikey Kelly to lift his team and points from Ryan McLoughlin and Shane Treacy put Davitts thirteen points ahead before Ardnaree shot the last point of the game.
This was another fantastic team effort with everyone playing their part.
Davitts: Mikey Kelly, Michael Waldron, Patrick Keadin, Dimitry Trench, Micheal Mangan, Tom Corless, Cathal Hennelly, Niall Kearns, Shane Treacy (0-2), Ryan McLoughlin (1-3), Michael McGarry (1-1), Conor Keane (1-3), Evan Ronane (0-4). Subs used: Daniel Huane, Aidan Macken, David Devane, Liam Macken, Jordan Flanagan.
