JHC quarter-final
Gort na Mona 0-18 Davitt’s 2-4
A Dessie McClean inspired Gort na Mona proved too slick for Davitt’s in this Junior Hurling Championship quarter-final at Enright Park on Sunday.
The excellent McClean would account for 0-11 of his side’s 0-18 total and his unerring accuracy from the placed ball punished every indiscretion that the Falls Road side committed over the hour.
It was Colm McKee who got Michael Davitt’s off to a good start with a point in the 1st minute but that would be the only time they led as McClean replied with three from play and a converted free in the 8th minute.
A scrambled goal from Cormac Maguire had the visitors back on level terms with 1o minutes gone but they only flattered to deceive as Gort na Mona continued to call the shots.
McClean from a 12th minute free had the men from the Mona Bye-pass back ahead and Thomas McCaffrey followed from long range as the home side began to dominate.
Dessie McClean matched McCaffrey’s effort with another from long range and he added a couple of converted free by the 18th minute as the one way traffic towards the Davitt’s goal continued.
Davitt’s were working hard to get going and break the shackles of the opposition and their best player, Caoimhin Rainey replied with a point but it only served to bring another response from the home side.
Darron Boyd landed a monster effort and Dessie McClean from a ‘65’ and a great point from play from an acute angle left the ‘Gorts’ 0-12 to 1-2 ahead at the break and good value for their lead.
If they were to get back into contention then Davitt’s needed to up the ante in the second half and Caoimhin Rainey raised their hopes as he sent over with only 2 minutes gone.
It failed to bring the necessary response from his colleagues however as Gort na Mona assumed control and Connor McCann, Dessie McClean (f) and another good point from play moved them nine ahead at the end of the third quarter.
Sean Doyle added 2 more and a long range special from Neil Henry moved the ‘Gorts’ 12 ahead by the 21st minute.
Davitt’s were still giving it everything and were finally rewarded for their efforts when Caoimhin Rainey got in for a superb second goal and Nathan Maginn added a late point but it only served to put a better look on the final score-line and it is the Turf Lodge side who will now contest the semi-finals.
In the other quarter-final played on Sunday, Lamh Dhearg produced the performance of the day to defeat St. Brigid’s 0-24 to 1-12 at Musgrave Park and will now join Gort na Mona in the semi-final draw where Glenravel and Armoy have already qualified as group winners.
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