Byrne magic ensures Moy Davitts keep cool in the heat to claim Division 2 title

MAYO LGFA SENIOR FOOTBALL LEAGUE DIVISION 2 CUP FINAL

Moy Davitts 5-11

Kilmoremoy 1-11

In Bekan

THE final score doesn’t do the game justice. Moy Davitts had to dig deep to bring their hitherto perfect league campaign to a successful conclusion. They had won all seven of their regular season games, but 45 minutes into this cup final, they found themselves only a single point ahead.

However, it was thanks to player-of-the-match Kate Byrne that Moy Davitts found another gear to stay clear of Kilmoremoy. Byrne created a brilliant point all by herself, cutting through two defenders, carrying the ball forward and splitting the sticks.

The teenager, who is still eligible to play minor, pulled the strings in the Moy Davitts half-forward line like a veteran. Byrne added another two points herself, and dished out assists for her teammates.

Eventually, Moy Davitts outscored Kilmoremoy by 2-5 to no score in the last 14 minutes. And they did it all without their captain, Sandra Hall, who injured her calf in training on Thursday. Hall was full of praise for Kate Byrne, when she spoke to the Mayo News after the match:

“I thought she was absolutely phenomenal. We've known that Kate has this potential over the last couple of years, but the way she carried the ball in the second half, she was getting kick-outs and she was everywhere. She definitely deserved it, and she's a mighty player for the future.”

It’s worth noting that Byrne didn’t need any time to warm up for the big occasion. In the first minute, she found herself in the perfect spot to receive a pass in front of the goal and kept her cool, to bury the ball in the net. In total her haul was 1-4, including a free.

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The other goals for Moy Davitts were scored by Hollie Canavan, who had replaced captain Hall in the starting team. And also Natasha Gaughan, Rebecca Conlon and Ava McGahon raised the green flag.

The eyes will turn towards the implementation of the new rules in the upcoming Memorial League, before the Championship starts. But Moy Davitts have certainly shown, that they will be a force to be reckoned with in the intermediate competition.

Kilmoremoy will participate in the Junior A championship. But finishing second in Division 2, and having the best offensive record in scoring the most points of all teams, will keep their opponents on their toes.

Centre-forward and captain Eimear Treacy showed what kind of a formidable attacking threat she poses. Treacy scored her team’s first four points of the game within five minutes. When she was off the pitch for six minutes, Kilmoremoy’s rhythm had abated.

A full match report will be carried in Tuesday’s Mayo News.