2003 Ulster Minor Championship

Our opponents in the Dale Farm Ulster Minor Competition were the Monaghan title-holders, Carrickmacross. (Rossa Park, Belfast, Sunday 14th December.)In the end the game finished level; Davitts 4-8, Carrickmacross 3-11 after extra-time, but we did have opportunities to advance to the semi final, especially in the opening half. However, the sides couldn't be separated, and in a way both teams deserved another chance.

We started the game well and dominated most of the opening half. Two quick goals in the opening minutes from Ryan Rooney and Fra McCabe give us a storming start and although we had opportunities, we couldn't extend our lead. The Monaghan champions finished the half strongly and had edged ahead at the break, 1-6 to 2-2. While the game was played in a very competitive and sporting manner, a minute from half time, Ryan Rooney and Carrickmacross half-back Darren Martin received red cards for an off¬the-ball incident.

Despite facing the breeze, we controlled the third quarter and after ten minutes play, led by 6 points. However, Carrickmacross showed great battling qualities and while the football was exciting with action at both ends, in the closing minutes of the game, Carrickmacross drew level - Davitts 3-6, Carrickmacross 2-9.Sean Downey boosted Carrickmacross's hopes in the opening minute of extra-time when a looping shot finished in the net, and although Johnny McDonnell pointed for us, we trailed at the end of the first half of extra-time by two points. Downey had another Carrickmacross point at the start of the 2nd-half, but we were right back in the match when Johnny McDonnell struck a low effort to thenet after six minutes.

Shortly after that, Carrickmacross midfielder Declan Finnegan was dismissed for his second yellow card offense. The teams exchanged points in the remaining minutes through Johnny McDonnell and Damien Connolly to send the game to a replay. Carrickmacross played their way into the semi final in the replayed quarter final game, winning 1-11 to 0-6. (St Paul's Park, Saturday, December 22nd). Played in terrible conditions with rain falling throughout and a bitterly cold wind blowing right down the pitch, the Monaghan champions adapted better to the conditions. Our smaller squad had been further depleted with Paul McKinney's name added to our injury list a few days before the game.

We controlled the opening exchanges with attacking play and had early chances but twice inside the opening three minutes, failed to convert well placed frees. It was Carrickmacross that took the lead after four minutes when Sean Downey capitalised on a defensive error and sent the ball over the bar. Two minutes later, Johnny McDonnell took a pass from Paul Dynes and levelled. Fra McCabe was off the mark from a free before Carrickmacross took the lead with a point from Paddy Lonergan after ten minutes. Our keeper, Sean Og O'Neill, then brought off a brilliant double save, first from Sean Downey and then Mark Downey, who had collected the rebound.

We were to have other chances in the first half but the Carrickmacross half-back line shut out our attack time after time. They laid the foundations for the forwards to get the vital scores. Gary Nelson at left half back was our star player, assisted by Gerard Rowntree and Noel McCleave. In attack, only Johnny McDonnell and Paul Prigent caused the opposition defence any problems. Sean Downey and Mark McNally added points before Johnny McDonnell pointed for us after twenty minutes. Stephen McAlorum was clearly struggling with an injury that would see his enforced substitution in the second half and when Colm O'Riordan was cynically scythed down, forcing him from the pitch for treatment, we began to struggle thereafter. Carrickmacross added two more points to lead by 0-6 to 0-2 at half time.

Colm O'Riordan came out for the second half and we again attacked on the restart. Fra McCabe pointed a free but the goal we searched for so badly eluded us. Instead, the chance fell to Carrickmacross, when Damien Connolly set up Mark Downey to finish to the net. They enjoyed possession after that and extended their lead with both Downeys among the scorers. Fra McCabe and captain Colm O'Riordan replied for us before we lead siege to their goal in a five-minute spell of all-out attack. Our only reward was a point from David O'Hanlon as Carrickmacross keeper, Stephen Boylan and his defenders blocked three goal-bound shots to hold out for a semi final place against Fermanagh champions Derrygonnelly.