Minors lose rain-soaked South Final

 

FINAL
Davitts 1-9
Ballinrobe 0-9 

Billy Horan
Flanagan Park

DAVITTS, more direct in their approach, got the better of the home representatives in a closely-contested South Mayo Minor ‘B’ football championship final on Friday evening last.
It was all square at five points apiece at the interval, and while the possibility of a Ballinrobe victory beckoned at one stage in the second half, late points fashioned a Davitts success. Adverse climatic conditions made matters very difficult for the players and the absence of stylish play was understandable.
There was a lively start from Davitts, reflected in the scoring of three points in the opening 11 minutes. Liam Noone (2) and Darren Connolly were the contributors, and it took Ballinrobe 12 minutes to register their first score, a point from from a free by James Quinn.
The locals were awarded a penalty in the 18th minute, but Davitts vigilant goalkeeper, David Mitchell, managed to divert Rory Malone’s shot outside the post.
Points from Thomas Lawrence, preceded by James Quinn and Stephen Burke, had Ballinrobe on level terms by the 20th minute.
Centre-half back David O’Connor, with Quinn again the supplier of the pass, edged Ballinrobe ahead, a minute later, only to have Tommy Waldron counter with a levelling point in the 23rd minute.
In keeping with the tit-for-tat nature of the exchanges, a Peter Finnerty point put Ballinrobe back in front and Clive Hennigan, rounding off a move involving Andrew Peters and Darren Connolly, nullified it in the 30th minute.
The second half action was two minutes old when Ballinrobe went clear again thanks to a splendid point from Thomas Lawrence.
Three minutes later, Davitts supporters were lifting their voices when Tommy Waldron, with the backing of Andrew Peters, set the ball surging into the Ballinrobe net.
Making light of the setback, Ballinrobe hit back with points from Peter Finnerty and Stephen Burke, a free, and the last-named, from another free, put his side ahead by 0-9 to 1-5 at the 39th minute.
It was now Davitts turn to regain lost ground and Darren Connolly and Tommy Waldron did so, through the medium of points in the 44th and 46th minutes respectively.
Connolly bettered Davitts position with another point in the 55th minute and while Ballinrobe tried their utmost to get back into active contention in the closing minutes, the return was fruitless this time.
The winners had the final scoring impact in the 59th minute when Darren Connolly pointed.
Thomas Lawrence, a menacing attacker, David Murphy, David O’Connor, making frequent surges upfield, Peter Finnerty, James Quinn and James Murphy impressed for Ballinrobe.

Davitts
D Mitchell; F Clarke, G McWalter; C Higgins, M Ronayne, J Connolly; W Freeley, S Waldron; T Waldron (1-2), A Peters, L Noone (0-2, 1f); D Connolly (0-4, 2fs), C Hennigan (0-1).
Subs used: G Lyons for S Waldron (38 mins); M Trench for T Waldron (59 mins).

Ballinrobe:
S Shaughnessy; B Murphy, O Murphy; O Gannon, D O’Connor (0-1), W McDonnell; P Finnerty (0-2), J Murphy; J Quinn (0-1, 1f), S Burke (0-3, 3fs), T Lawrence (0-2); R Malone, C Warde.
Subs used: A Shaughnessy for R Malone (46 mins).

Referee: E McAndrew (Claremorris)