Davitt’s move tops following victory over All Saints

Casement SC Antrim JHC, Group One

Davitt’s 2-20 All Saints, Ballymena 2-14

Davitt’s move to the top of Group1 of the Casement SC JHC following this six point win over All Saints Ballymena at Davitt’s Park on Friday evening and following last week’s win over St. Brigid’s they already look to have one foot in the play-offs.

The home side led from start to finish and were six ahead at half time but were forced to fight off an early second half comeback by the visitors, led by the impressive Ciaran Neeson who once again carried the Ballymena challenge and finished the game with 2-9 to his credit.

Even the brilliance of Neeson for Ballymena couldn’t deter Davitt’s as the All Saints sharpshooter lacked the support to really trouble the opposition though the Ballymena side’s insistence on going for goal in the final 8 minutes backfired and had they taken their points the final margin could have been closer.

Davitt’s in contrast were better in their play, used possession well and created some lovely scores over the hour as they guaranteed their place in the knockout stages.

It took them just 20 seconds to get their noses in front as they flew out of the traps with the impressive Marcus Toner displaying strength to get over the ball and fire over from the left.

**CJ Sullivan wheels away in celebration after scoring Davitt’s second goal**

A long range Caoimhin Heaney free followed before Ciaran Neeson opened his account for the visitors but Don Whelan tapped over a free of his own and Heaney fired over from deep in response.

A Neeson free and a Cormac Magill point either side of Stephen McGivern’s opener of the night narrowed the gap to two as the challenges started to go in hard and fast but Davitt’s were just that bit sharper as a Whelan free preceded scores from McGivern and Heaney to widen the gap to five.

Neeson kept the visitors in the hunt, landing back-to-back points, but Davitt’s appeared to be getting stronger and Ballymena goalkeeper Ciaran Cassley was called into action to make a superb save and deflect a low drive from Whelan up and over before the same man converted a free and a great Anthony Rowntree point from an acute angle extended the home side’s lead.

CJ Sullivan then got in on the act as the hosts threatened to run away with it and it took a great interception from full-back Collum Neeson as he cut out what looked a certain goal before launching downfield where James O’Boyle gathered in the corner and pointed.

A pair of Neeson points in quick succession narrowed the margin back to four, but Davitt’s replied with Antoin McLaughlin intercepting and drilling over, while in the first minute of stoppage time Anthony Rowntree emerged from a ruck and kicked the sliotar to the net from close range.

**All Saints Ciaran Neeson, who top scored with 2-9 on the night gets out out in front of his marker to claim the sliotar**

The All Saints response was immediate and decisive as Neeson collected about 30 meters from goal and went on a strong solo run before being dragged down for a penalty and the number 14 picked himself up before firing the resulting award to the net.

Marcus Toner replied with a late point for Davitt’s, showing the visitors defence a clean pair of heels to race along the left wing and split the posts to give his side a 1-14 to 1-8 advantage at the short whistle.

Davitt’s were good value for this lead, but All Saints came out for the second half in a much more determined mood as they began to win the breaks and drive forward, but they wasted a number of good opportunities during a period of dominance.

Their talisman, Neeson landed an early free that was cancelled out with a point at the other end by Sullivan, but three wides on the trot arrived before Cormac Magill found his range and then Neeson got onto a dropping ball to lash home and leave just two in it.

Davitt’s rose to this challenge well with Rowntree doubling on a Deaglan Mooney line-ball to point and Stephen McGivern bursting through to add another and relieve the pressure.

Things got better for the home side on 43 minutes as a long ball into the All Saints penalty area broke to Sullivan who finished to the net from close range and Marcus Toner followed with a point to make it 2-18 to 2-10 approaching the final quarter.

Neeson landed a free in response but the All Saints cause received a further blow when they had a player dismissed for dissent and a task that had looked extremely difficult had suddenly become impossible.

MarcusToner and Ciaran Neeson exchanged points with a Don Whelan free then restoring Davitt’s eight-point advantage.

Ballymena went looking for goals at this stage but never really looked like succeeding as the Davitt’s defence stood strong as Neeson sent a free just outside the 20-metre line past the post, while stoppage time points from Gillan and Luke O’Rawe proved mere consolation for All Saints.

This was All Saints second defeat in the competition and they will need a win over St Brigid’s in their final game to give themselves any chance of qualification, while Davitt’s march on and were worthy winners on the night.

DAVITT’S: T Maguire; O Gorman, M Rowntree, R McIlroy; C Heaney (0-3, 1 free), C Gallagher, A McLaughlin (0-1); D Mooney, P Carleton; D Whelan (0-5, 4 frees), S McGivern (0-3), M Toner (0-4); C Maguire, A Rowntree (1-2), CJ Sullivan (1-2).
Subs: J McNally for R McIlroy (57), D Maher for C Maguire (60), C Mooney for A Rowntree (60).

ALL SAINTS: C Cassley; D McKee, C Neeson, K Brady; D Gray, L O’Rawe (0-1), G Miskella; V Esler, J Magill; R Magee, D Gillan (0-1), C Magill (0-2); C O’Rawe, C Neeson (2-9, 0-6 frees, 1-0 pen), J O’Boyle (0-1).
Subs: D Hasson for V Esler (41), G Duffin for R Magee (51).

REFEREE: Eamon Hamill (St Teresa’s)