Davitts edge past Kiltane in a thriller

MAYO INTERMEDIATE FOOTBALL QUARTER-FINAL

Davitts 0-17

Kiltane 1-12

BALLINDINE

THIS was a fantastic advertisement for Mayo club football. Yellow, red, and black cards were all on display, combined with brilliant free-flowing football and scoring.

Davitts were up against it for the majority of the 80 minutes, but took a lead they would not relinquish when Dylan Gallagher converted a free with only five minutes remaining.

Kiltane had led by four points at half-time, buoyed by a brilliant 1-1 from John Ginty. With additional scores from Mikie Sweney, Ultan Corrigan, and Owen Doherty, Packie Sweeney’s troops were well-positioned to pull off a sensational ambush.

To their credit, Davitts stayed in the game through scores from Niall Treacy (0-3) and Dylan Gallagher, to trail 0-4 to 1-5 at half-time.

The second half was a ding-dong affair, full of white-hot championship intensity with both sides backed by large crowds. Kiltane were handed an extra advantage when Davitts’ midfielder Jack Melvin was shown a black card just minutes into the second half.

However, during this period, Davitts found their rhythm and reduced the gap to just one point, with scores from Gallagher, Treacy, and substitute Ciaran Treacy.

Kiltane then stretched their lead to four points with ten minutes remaining, playing excellent counter-attacking football. Scores from Sweeney, Ben Donoghue two from Josh Carey frustrated Davitts and left the Erris men well-positioned.

Davitts stayed in the game, but still trailed by a single point entering the final moments. However, in the fourth minute of additional time, substitute Ciaran Treacy equalised after a palmed clearance from Kiltane goalkeeper Darragh Carey landed in his hands just outside the square.

It was the last moment of the second half, with the sides heading to extra time level at 0-13 to 1-10. Kiltane’s John Ginty, who had been outstanding throughout, was sent off for a second bookable offence just before the full-time whistle.

Despite their reduced numbers, Kiltane showed brilliant desire and fight in extra time. They took the lead in extra time through Carey and Donoghue. However, Gallagher kept Davitts close, leaving the gap at just one point midway through extra time.

Kiltane struggled to create scoring opportunities in the second period, with Kieran Fahey, Colm Boyle, and Cathal Higgins all impressing in defence for Davitts.

Dylan Gallagher equalised soon after the restart before the game’s crucial moment. After scoring a long-range free, Gallagher was asked to retake it due to an infringement while the kick was being taken. Gallagher showed nerves of steel with his second attempt, putting the ball directly over the black spot in Davitt Park, giving his side the lead for the first time after a staggering 76 minutes of play.

Kiltane never gave up but struggled to create any real chances to equalise. They were reduced to 13 men when Doherty was sent off for a second yellow card, deemed soft by many, during the build-up to Gallagher’s free kick.

Jack Melvin sealed the win with a long-range free in the 82nd minute of a pulsating contest.

A full report, plus reaction from Davitts’ talisman Shane Treacy, will be published in Tuesdays edition of The Mayo News.