Games between Davitts and Belmullet are usually very hard and close and this was the case on Saturday evening when the two sides went to battle in Div 1B of the senior league, in sunny Belmullet. In a game that could have gone either way, the homeside eased their relegation worries with a one point win, 0-7 to 0-6. In this fantastic pitch on an evening that should have favoured forwards, the opposite was the case, with both sets of defenders having the upper hand. The notable exception was Michael Conroy who was in terrific form, beating a succession of markers.
Davitts started well and points from a Liam Kearns free and a brilliant individual effort from Conroy had them ahead after ten minutes but the homeside replied with four unanswered points before Conroy pointed to leave the minimum between the two sides at the break, 0-4 to 0-3. Ronan McNamara, Davitts impressive midfielder, equalised with an excellent 45, two yards in from the sideline, but both sides were finding it difficult to score. Kearns and Conroy cancelled out two Belmullet points and the teams were all square going in to the final tense minutes of the game.
Davitts spurned four gilt edged chances before Shane Nallen pointed what proved to be the winning score in the last minute. Davitts had the chance to equalise but Kearns free kick from 35 metres, after Dave McDonagh was fouled, went narrowly wide. Paddy Kirrane had another sound game in the Davitts goals and in front of him Frankie Barrett and Colm Boyle were magnificent in the fullbackline, as was centre back Paul Carey. Ronan McNamara excelled at midfield and up front, Michael Conroy was the standout forward in the game.
