U-21’s v Louisburgh – County Semi Final – Match Report
Louisburgh 1-16 Davitts 2-4
Louisburgh qualified for the County U-21 B Final with an impressive nine point victory over Davitts in the Semi-Final played on Friday night in Bekan. On the strength of this performance they will provide formidable opposition to either Breaffy or Hollymount Carramore in the final.
Louisburgh, assisted with the wind, began the game impressively and had raced into a four point lead after eight minutes with scores from Kevin Gibbons (2), Paul McDonnell and Padraig Prendergast. A Josh Ronayne point and a goal from Liam Noone after Ronayne had done the spadework tied the game. Kevin Gibbons and Ronayne swapped points but Louisburgh finished the half strongly with some excellent points from Prendergast (2), Eamon O Malley, Thomas Needham and a goal and a point from Stephen Corrigan, to lead by 1-10 to 1-2 at halftime. Davits were not helping their cause with a series of unforced errors while Louisburgh were doing the simple things well.
The expected Davitts second half comeback failed to materialise as Louisburgh continued to control matters. They extendeded their lead through Prendergast and Gibbons and Ronayne and Noone replied for Davitts. Andrew Peters scored a fine individual goal for Davitts who were now trying to manufacture goals as the time was running out but great defending by the Louisburgh backs kept them at bay. Further points from Prendergast (2) and Paul McDonnell finished the job off for the West Mayo side.
Louisburgh had top class performers all over the field with Craig Gavin, John and Paul McDonnell, Eamon O Malley, Stephen O Malley, Padraig Prendergast, Stephen Corrigan and Kevin Gibbons (an outstanding forward) all in terrific form.
Davitts hardest triers on a night where little went right for them were Mark Ronayne, Josh Ronayne, Michael Waldron, Thomas Waldron and Andrew Peters.
Louisburgh: Alan Dawson, Craig Gavin, Padraig O Malley, Brendan Nicholson, John McDonnell, Eamon O Malley (0-1), Padraig Prendergast (0-5), Stephen O Malley, Thomas Needham (0-1), Paul McDonnell (0-3), Stephen Corrigan (1-1), James Gibbons, Kevin Gibbons (0-5).
Davitts: David Mitchell, Donal Ronayne, William Freeley, Mark Ronayne, Cathal Higgins, Cathal Hennelly, Michael Waldron, Josh Ronayne (0-3), Liam Noone (1-1), Andrew Peters (1-0), Tommy Clarke, Darren Connolly, Thomas Waldron. Subs used: Matthew Trench, Sean Waldron, Jack Rogers, Padraig Mangan.
Referee: Peter Geraghty.
