Homefit Antrim Football League – Division 2
Davitt’s 0-11 All Saints 0-8
Davitt’s unbeaten run in the Division 2 continued at Davitt’s Park on Wednesday evening when they beat All Saints by three points. When the Ballymena men turned around just three in arrears (0-9 to 0-6) having faced a strong wind, they must have fancied their chances of winning this game, but Davitt’s were unyielding as they defended like their lives depended on it to keep the visitors at bay. They also had their goalkeeper Aaron Slane to thank after he fired over a point from a free in the opening half, and then saved a penalty from Ballymena’s Shea O’Brien ten minutes from the end.
All Saints Cal O’Brien got the first point of the game on five minutes but Padraig McParland and Anto McGrattan both sent over points to put the home side in front. McParland’s strong direct running was causing the All Saints defence a lot of problems and the West Belfast men stretched their lead through Caomhin Slane, McGrattan and Gerard Slane to go 0-5 to 0-2 ahead after fourteen minutes. Benny McDonnell closed the gap with a point on 15 minutes, but Deaglan Mooney fired over for Davitt’s to stretch their lead to 0-6 to 0-3.
That pattern of play continued in a free flowing opening half as Aaron Slane, Padraig McParland nd Gerard Slane hit points for the home side while All Saints replied through James McDonnell (2) to leave All Saints trailing by just three at the half time whistle.
With the strength of the wind most observers would have had the Ballymena side favourites to push on with the wind at their backs, but Davitt’s closed them down at every opportunity and it was soon clear that scores would not be easily got.
It was ten minutes into the second half before the first flag was raised, and it came for the home side, McParland finishing well from out on the right hand side, following a short free kick. All Saints appeared to have the break they were looking for when they were awarded a penalty ten minutes from time. Up stepped Shea O’Brien but Davitt’s netminder Aaron Slane was equal to the shot and got the danger cleared.
Two quick points inside a minute from All Saints corner-back James McDonnell cut the gap back to just two and it looked like the Ballymena boys were in with a great chance again, but Davitt’s never faltered and a great individual point at the other end saw Davitt’s safely home.
