Moysiders underline credentials in Davitts derby
Davitts’ Fenton Kelly is first to the ball in this midfield clash during the Egan Jewellers Mayo IFC clash in Foxford last Friday evening. Picture: David Farrell Photography
Moy Davitts remain unbeaten in Group 3 of the Egan Jewellers Mayo intermediate championship after overcoming Davitts by six points in Foxford on Friday evening.
It was nip and tuck between the sides in the opening quarter before the home side hit a purple patch to take a six-point lead into the break. Davitts fought hard in the second half, but Moy Davitts proved too strong.
Davitts started brightly, winning the ball at the throw-in and working it around the big arc before Ciaran Treacy found a shooting position to score the opening point in the opening minute.
The home side responded immediately, with Stephen Clarke slotting over a free to level proceedings. Jack Melvin, one of two changes to the starting side, restored the visitors’ lead before Moy Davitts captain Cian McHale found space to level at 0-2 apiece.
Ronan Clarke then put Moy Davitts ahead for the first time, but Melvin struck for his second two minutes later to level again.
Brian Reape picked up a lower-leg injury after a collision while taking a shot and was replaced by Ryan Kenny after nine minutes. Davitts captain Niall Treacy put the visitors back in front after 11 minutes, but it would be their last score of the first half.
Moy Davitts began to dominate around the middle of the field and Conor Ryder found himself one-on-one with Davitts goalkeeper Dylan O’Brien but put too much height on his effort and had to settle for a point.
Ryder added another shortly afterwards as Davitts struggled to win their own kickouts or retain possession. Stephen Clarke then hit two points in succession to put Moy Davitts three ahead, 0-7 to 0-4, after 21 minutes. Ronan Clarke added another before McHale struck a fine score to leave five between them.
Moy Davitts continued to pressure the visitors and forced a turnover in the Davitts defence, winning a free which McHale converted to leave the score 0-10 to 0-4 at half-time.
Davitts started the second half brightly, with Melvin pointing a free in the opening minute. Padraig Ruane was in on goal, but his effort rattled the crossbar and Moy Davitts retained possession, working the ball to Stephen Clarke who pointed.
The impressive Melvin registered the first two-pointer of the game to reduce the deficit to four, 0-11 to 0-7.
A short kickout from O’Brien was intercepted by Brian Heneghan, who found Conor Reid. He in turn released the oncoming Clarke, who restored Moy Davitts’ five-point advantage.
McHale then struck a superb two-pointer to put seven between the sides before Niall Treacy responded with Davitts’ second two-pointer, before Colm Boyle was introduced for Conor McDermott.
Heneghan added another point before Fenton Kelly delivered a high ball into the square. Niall Treacy won possession and, following a high tackle in the box, referee Declan Corcoran awarded a penalty.
Melvin stepped up and sent Chris McGlynn the wrong way to reduce the deficit to four. Shane Treacy followed with a point to leave just three between the sides, 0-16 to 1-10, with seven minutes of normal time remaining.
However, Moy Davitts finished strongly, with Conor Reid, McHale from a free and Oisin McHugh all finding the target to seal a six-point victory, despite finishing with 14 men late on after McHugh was sent off after picking a second yellow.
Scorers - Moy Davitts: Stephen Clarke 0-0-6 (1f), Cian McHale 0-2-2 (2f), Ronan Clarke 0-1-0, Conor Ryder 0-2; Brian Heneghan, Conor Reid and Oisin McHugh 0-0-1 each.
Davitts: J Melvin 1-2-0 (1pen), Niall Treacy 0-1-2 (1f), Shane Treacy and Ciaran Treacy 0-0-1 each.
Moy Davitts: Chris McGlynn; Cathal Clarke, Fionán Cruise, Ajay McGrath; Jamie Clarke, Colm McHale, Conor Ryder; Conor Reid, Oisín McHugh; Stephen Clarke, Cian McHale, Padraig Ruane; Brian Heneghan, Brian Reape, Ronan Clarke.
Subs: Ryan Kenny (for B Reape 11-inj), Seán Reid (for B Heneghan 13), Anthony Jordan (for C Ryder 54), John Gilmore (for S Clarke 60+1).
Davitts: Dylan O’Brien; Jack Melvin, Charlie Philips, Brian Birmingham; Cathal Corless, Conor McDermott, Tom Waldron; Cian Naughton, Fenton Kelly; Ronan Kelly, Shane Treacy, Mark Birmingham; Cathal Higgins, Niall Treacy, Ciaran Treacy.
Subs: Tomas Ronayne (for Higgins 39), Colm Boyle (for McDermott 44), Darragh McGale (for Naughton 46), Patrick Keadin (for Waldron 51).
REF: Declan Corcoran (Islandeady)
