Doyle's second half brace of goals proves the difference
Michael Davitts captain Brendan Byrne lifts the Under 16 Division Cup Photo: Kieran Murphy
A brilliant second half performance clinched the under 16 Division 3 Football Final for Michael Davitts at Netwatch Cullen Park on Monday.
At one stage in the opening half, it looked as if the eventual winners were set to dominate. Jamie Cooney had opened the scoring for Éire Óg but Conor McDonald, Joshua Walsh, Josh Dermody and Frankie Doyle (2) saw Davitts go into a 0-5 to 0-1 lead in the opening quarter.
Éire Óg hit back with Zak Kelly leading the way with a point. They had the better of the exchanges and could well have had a couple of goals. Instead they settled for points from Kelly, Lee Bolger, Colin King and Kelly again to lead 0-6 to 0-5 at the interval.
Éire Óg laid siege to the Davitts goal in the early minutes of the second half but a combination of solid defending and a lack of composure kept the Davitts line intact.
The game turned when Davitts mounted an attack of their own and Doyle found the net at the O’Hanrahan end of the ground. Before ten minutes had elapsed in the half, McDonald struck again for another three-pointer. It was shooting practice for Davitts as they scored 2-3 without reply.
Éire Óg fought hard as they dragged themselves back into the game but the margin was too wide. Davitts finished strongly and went on to a deserved win.
F Doyle 2-4, C McDonald 0-4, J Walsh 0-3 (1f), O Noctor, J Dermody 0-1 each.
Z Kelly 0-7 (5fs), J Cooney 0-2, L Bolger, C King, A Bolger, M Gray.
James Aughney; Bill Hayden, Joey Drea, Cillian Fitzgerald; Zack Dermody, Brendan Byrne, Daniel Tallon; Fiach Donnelly, Josh Dermody; Joshua Walsh, Conor McDonald, Conor Klaasens; Eli Fleming, Frankie Doyle, Timmy Meaney. Subs: Odhran Noctor for Klaasens (h/t), Alan Lawlor for Dermody (h/t), Adam Walsh for Fitzgerald (52), Luke Honeyball for Fleming (58), Eli O’Meara for Meaney (62).
Nigel Coughlan; Jamie Cooney, Joe Dermody, Lee Bolger; Conor Wall, Harry O’Donoghue, Ciaran O’Rinn; Daire Brady, Joe McDermott; Aidan Gammell, Zack Kelly, Colin King; Joe Doorley, Fionn Brophy, Eoghan Brady. Subs: Alfie Bolger for McDermott (25), Max Gray for King (h/t), Oisin Woods for Brophy (h/t), McDermott for Doorley (49), Odhran Seery for O’Rinn (59).
Seamie Doyle
