Davitts met Ballyhaunis in the U-21 C Championship on Sunday in Ballindine and after a very good match it was Ballyhaunis that took the spoils, winning by 2-13 to 2-10. Davitts, minus the services of Daniel Huane, lost midfielder unfortunate Cian Naughton in the third minute of the game to a hamstring injury.

Ballyhaunis looked set to inflict a heavy defeat on their hosts after a blistering start that saw them ahead by 1-5 to 0-0 after eighteen minutes of play. Ballyhaunis looked very dangerous and their attack was razor sharp in this period. Davitts then got the fillip they needed, a goal right out of the top drawer courtesy of young midfielder Stephen Nyland. He fielded Dean Moran’s kickout on his own 45 metre line, out on the left wing and went on a terrific solo run, ending with a 25 metre screamer into the top corner of the net.

Stephen Nyland and Jack Ronayne added pointed frees in the next seven minutes but these were cancelled out by a Ballyhaunis brace in the 26^th and 28^th minutes. Davitts goal machine Ryan McLoughlin netted his side’s second goal on the stroke of halftime, flicking home Jack Ronayne’s long delivery to leave Ballyhaunis ahead at the break by 1-7 to 2-2.

Points from Jack Ronayne and Evan Ronane had the home side level in the 33^rd minute but the sending off of Liam Macken in the 36^th minute on a second yellow card temporarily stopped Davitts increasing momentum. A Ballyhaunis point a minute later was immediately cancelled out by Evan Ronane. A dubious free awarded to Ballyhaunis was duly converted to give them the lead again but Davitts, well on top, levelled through Evan Ronane in the 41^st minute.

Ballyhaunis took the lead again with a point from play after the ref overruled an umpire on a wide ball but Evan Ronane again equalised with a terrific point from way out. A Jack Ronayne free put Davitts ahead for the first time in the 49^th minute. Two minutes later Ballyhaunis equalised from a free. In the fifty third minute Ballyhaunis had a man sent off and a minute later Aidan Macken pointed to put Davitts ahead again. Ballyhaunis pointed a free to level it and they goaled in the 57^th minute after some sloppy defending by the home side. Another point put the visitors four ahead with the game gone into stoppage time. Davitts threw the kitchen sink at Ballyhaunis but their defence held firm as a Jack Ronayne point from a placed ball was Davitts only reward before the final whistle.

Davitts played some great football for three quarters of this game but the poor start left them with a mountain to climb. Dean Moran had another solid game in goals. Corner backs Tom Corless and Ciaran Fahy stormed into the game after a shaky start. Dimitry Trench had a great game at centre back and his driving runs were inspirational, with Liam Macken and Jordan Flanagan impressing on the wings. Stephen Nyland (1-1) and Niall Kearns formed an effective midfield pairing after Cian Naughton’s early withdrawl.

Jack Ronayne (0-4) led the attack well at centre half forward with Aidan Macken (0-1) and Niall Treacy working exceptionally as wing forwards. Inside, Ryan McLoughlin (1-0) and Evan Ronane (0-4) were in superb form. Zack Keadin and James Ruane were two late substitutions.

Davitts will play Ballinrobe away on Sunday needing a win to be in with a chance of advancing to the County semi-final.