Davitts demolish title hopes of Kiltimagh

Mayo IFC Group 2 – Round 2 

Davitts 3-15

Kiltimagh 1-10 

Mike Kelly in Ballindine 

Davitts underlined their intermediate championship credentials with a comprehensive 11 points victory over Kiltimagh in Ballindine on Saturday evening.

A tour de force from Dylan Gallagher, who finished with two goals and four points to his name, along with brilliant performances from Niall and Shane Treacy, meant the men from the border took a major step towards quarter-final qualification before their group rivals Hollymount-Carramore and Castlebar Mitchels ‘B’ even took to the field the following day.

Kiltimagh gave as good as they got in the first-half but were undone by a quickfire goal and a point before the break. The goal came from Shane Treacy and gave the home side a five points cushion which they would only build upon as the game went on.

The East Mayo side, beaten by Hollymounr-Carramore in Round 1, would hold the lead for the opening quarter of this match through scores from Conor Malee and doubles for the impressive Jack Niland and Cian Gallagher. The visitors were also unlucky not to raise a green flag in an impressive opening as first Jack Mahon sliced wide from close range in the sixth minute and then Conor Malee almost diverted a Bryan Gallagher shot to the net a minute later.

Niall Treacy, two points, Shane Treacy and Jack Melvin, one apiece, kept Davitts in touch with Kiltimagh before Dylan Gallagher nudged them into the lead for the first time on 15 minutes.

The game’s first goal was always going to be crucial and with both sides playing quite open football, there were plenty of chances across the hour. It came from Davitts corner-forward Shane Treacy in the 19th minute as after Jack Melvin claimed a Kiltimagh kickout, he played the ball into the attacker who quickly turned his man before firing to the back of the net to open up a four points lead.

Kiltimagh were not able to live with their opponents at this stage and a Donovan Cosgrove point in the 26th minute would prove to be their last for 17 minutes during which time Davitts would stretch their lead out to 10 points.

Dylan Gallagher grabbed his first goal immediately after the second-half began, firing low to Sean Gilmartin’s net from 10 metres out, and he was unlucky not to grab another four minutes later.

Gallagher, Liam Kearns and Niall Treacy would also keep the scoreboard ticking over before Kiltimagh grabbed their only goal, a scrappy effort from Conor Malee on 40 minutes.

From there the game played out in predictable fashion as Kiltimagh tried to get themselves back into contention but were no match for the speed and fitness displayed by the home side. The impressive full-forward line in particular couldn’t be handled by the East Mayo side.

Cian Gallagher, two, and Jordan Henry would round out Kiltimagh’s scoring but those were cancelled out by a double from Gallagher and a Shane Treacy effort.

Gallagher’s second green flag came in the 53rd minute and was undoubtedly the pick of the bunch as Gallagher and Ciaran Treacy played a number of passes between themselves to take out the Kiltimagh defence before Gallagher let fly to the back of the net.

The corner-forward should have completed his hat-trick two minutes later when through on goal again but this time Sean Gilmartin stuck out a big hand to keep his net from shaking and with scoring difference possibly coming into play in this group, that could prove to be a pivotal moment in Kiltimagh’s season.

Scorers – Davitts: Dylan Gallagher 2-4 (0-2f, 1m), Niall Treacy 0-6 (1f), Shane Treacy 1-2, Liam Kearns 0-2, Jack Melvin 0-1.

Kiltimagh: Cian Gallagher 0-5 (1f, 1 ’45), Conor Malee 1-1, Jack Niland 0-2, Donovan Cosgrove and Jordan Henry 0-1 each.

Davitts: Dylan O’Brien; Brian Birmingham, Cathal Higgins, Kieran Fahy; Tommy Waldron, Colm Boyle, Mark Birmingham; Fenton Kelly, Jack Melvin; Darragh McGale, Liam Kearns, Brian Og McTigue; Dylan Gallagher, Niall Treacy, Shane Treacy. Subs: Mickey Conroy (for McGale), Ciaran Treacy (for Kearns), Cian Naughton (for S Treacy), Ronan McNamara (for Waldron), Donal Ronayne (for M Birmingham).

Kiltimagh: Sean Gilmartin; Ryan Carroll, Mattie Cummins, Darragh McGovern; Jack Niland, Aidan Cosgrove, Jack Mahon; Liam Kelly, Donovan Cosgrove; Oisin Mulderrig, Evan Cosgrove, Brian Gallagher; Cian Gallagher, Tomas Keegan, Conor Malee. Subs: Lorcan Conroy (for Mahon), Mark Bennett (for Carroll), Jordan Henry (for Niland), Liam Lydon (for B Gallagher).

REF: Shane Corcoran (Islandeady)