Valiant Pearses fall at provincial final hurdle

Before an approximate 1,500 attendance in gloriously sunny conditions at Kiltoom on Saturday afternoon last, a driven and determined Davitts side took provincial honours in this Connacht Club IFC final against a Padraig Pearses squad who, despite recovering ideally from a slow start, failed to maintain a winning momentum in the second period. Having pulled back a four-point deficit nearing half time and going to the dressing rooms a single point behind, hopes were high among Pearses supporters of ultimate success. Alas, it was not to be on this occasion as a renewed Davitts again pressed the correct buttons against opponents who failed to score from play in the second period. A goal, direct from a free near the sideline eight minutes from the end, certainly gave the final score a flattering look as Pearses overall display didn't warrant an eight-point defeat. Passage of open, lighting fast and exhilarating play by teams prepared to let the ball do the work provided outstanding entertainment for spectators and team mentors alike, and should be compulsive viewing for apologists of packed defences and all such modern day negativity. Here was Gaelic football as it should be played and for this alone, both teams must be congratulated unreservedly. On the day, the Mayo champions certainly deserved their victory, but Pearses can take a huge amount of credit for their contribution to a memorable occasion and can look forward with confidence to their return, after a short absence, to Premier ranks in 2012. Davitts, from the Ballindine/Irish town area of South Mayo (and not Moy Davitts from Foxford incorrectly alluded to by me last week), need have-no-fears of senior football on this display. Their very large travelling support were on song from the start on the Newpark stage, as team captain Michael Conroy laid off to Fergal McGrath for the full forward to point after 40 seconds of play. Maintaining this tempo, they added a further brace from play courtesy of Aidan McTigue and wing back Jonathan Clarke. Centre-back Colm Boyle was winning much dirty ball in the pivotal berth and with wing-forward Pat Coyne (incidentally a nephew of Sabina Higgins, wife of President/elect Michael D. Higgins) deployed as defensive sweeper, Pearses attacks were being stifled at source. A 12th minute foul on midfielder Niall Finneran provided the opportunity for Michael Duignan to get Pearses on the scoreboard when pointing the resultant free. However, Davitts registered four of the next six points - a rampant Michael Conroy scored three (including one free), with midfielder Paul Carey also on target, while Niall Daly and Michael Duignan replied for Pearses in the 14th minute. It took a superb save from Davitts custodian Mark Diskin to deny Pearses' Emmett Kelly of a certain goal which could have worked wonders for Seamus Clogher's men. But, as the 25th minute of the half approached, the Mayo kingpins had edged 0-7 to 0-3 in front. Worrying times for the Reds, but, thanks to a rapid midfield resurgence by Niall Finneran in particular and Niall Carty, the tide turned. Niall, who teaches at Athlone Community College, had a delightful point from play and a terrific up-field movement saw Paul Moran bisect the posts, the same player replicating the score a minute later. A huge cheer greeted Aaron Fehilly's equalising score a minute into injury time. But in the 32nd minute, a sideline free on the press box side saw Michael Conroy bang-on-target for the Mayo men who, accordingly enjoyed a slender 0-8 to 0-7 at the short whistle after a truly absorbing first moiety of football. After the break, Davitts signalled early intent when Fergal McGrath, placed by Pat Coyne pointed after 30 seconds. Pearses replied after the hard grafting Paul Moran drew the foul, punished by Michael Duignan for his side's 8th point. However, hopes that this would signal a Pearses renaissance was not realised on this occasion - they were not to score again in this decider, as Davitts again upped the ante and, with renewed vigour, marched on relentlessly towards provincial honours. Pearses competed with determination but could not find a way through a now almost-impregnable Davitts defence which scented imminent victory. Points from Aidan McTigue and Michael Conroy (34th and 35th minutes) opened up an 0-11 to 0-8 Davitts lead. But 16 minutes would elapse before another flag was raised. Finally, the moratorium was broken when Conroy pointed another free. We hadn't long for what proved the decisive moment - Pearses were still only four points in arrears and what a difference a goal would have meant to them. Alas, when it came it was to the Davitts team from a free on the sideline and on the stand side when Roman McNamara's inswinger deceived the Pearses' defence and went all the way to the net. Although there were eight minutes of normal time remaining, Pearses hopes of provincial honours had all but evaporated and, late in the game when Paul Carey drew the foul for Conroy to amass his seventh point of the evening, it was game, set and match to the South Mayo side. Pearses despite the defeat can nonetheless, look back on a highly successful year that saw them regain Senior status for 2012. Provincial Club action was uncharted territory, but reaching the final at the first attempt after that great win over Kilconly was, in itself, a bonus. They now turn their attention to a big push in campaign 2012 and, with a rich reservoir of talent their prospects are indeed bright. Scorers Davitts: Michael Conroy (0-7, 0-4 frees), Ronan McNamara (1-0, free), Fergal McGrath (0-2), Aidan McTigue (0-2), Jonathan Clarke (0-1), Paul Carey (0-1). Padraig Pearses: Michael Duignan (0-3, 0-2 frees), Paul Moran (0-2), Niall Daly (0-1), Niall Finneran (0-1), Aaron Fehilly (0-1). Teams Davitts: Mark Diskin, Colm Roche, Frankie Barrett, Kevin Gallagher, Jonathan Clarke, Colm Boyle, James Cummins, Ronan McNamara, Paul Carey, Keith Prendergast, David McDonagh, Pat Coyne, Aidan McTigue, Fergal McGrath, Michael Conroy (capt). Subs: Keith Glynn for Prendergast (37); Alan Roche for Cummins (37); Liam Kearns for McDonagh (56); Carlos O'Gara for McTigue (58). Padraig Pearses: Brian Croffy, Paul Duke, Paul Kelly, Cathal Dolphin, John Connell (capt), Niall Daly, Declan Duffy, Niall Finneran, Niall Carty, Aaron Fehilly, Jason Clogher, David Grehan, Emmett Kelly, Paul Moran, Michael Duignan. Subs: Conor Daly for Grehan (blood-23); Eamon Donoghue for Duke (36); Cathal Kelly for Emmett Kelly (36); Denis Whyte for Clogher (40); David Grehan for Conor Daly (blood replacement -40); John Whyte for Finneran (47); Conor Daly for Fehilly (53). Referee: Michael Duffy (Sligo).