The senior hurler’s venture in the All-Ireland Junior B Hurling Championship came to an end last Sunday when the Wexford champions, Duffry Rovers, proved just too strong at Heywood College, Abbeyleix.
We got off to a slow start and were punished for conceding a series of frees as Duffry Rovers opened up a 4 point advantage, 3 points coming from frees. We got on the scoreboard when Gary Nelson fired in a high ball to the edge of the square, Stephen Toner took a high catch, stepped past his marker and struck the sliotar between the posts. However, Duffry Rovers then responded with three further points again from frees to lead by six. Thomas Toland then took possesion of the sliotar 65 metres out and in the process of shooting was fouled and we were awarded a free where the 
sliotar landed and Canice Mooney converted the resulting free. Another point ensued as Peter Carleton started and finished a fast move from within our own half. Canice Mooney then reduced the deficit further with a 60 metre free before Duffry responded with another pointed free. The final point of the half came from Alan Rainey, Sean Smyth took a short puck out to Gary Nelson who played the sliotar low into Alan who rounded the defender and slotted over the bar to leave the half time score Davitts 0-5 Duffry Rovers 0-8.
The second half started with both teams exchanging early points, with Chris Gallagher getting his first score of the day. The wind had strengthened and we were battling hard to repel the Duffry attack. Again a series of pointed frees allowed Duffry to extend their advantage before the final nail in the coffin – a well taken shot to the back of the net. Credit as the players dug deep and pressed hard to get back into the game. Chris Gallagher then pointed a free and while we had opportunities to take further points we badly needed a goal and were pressing for the major to get back into the game. However Duffry finished strongly and as we pushed forward space opened up for them to slot over further points to see them run out deserving winners 1-16 to 0-7.
The disappointment on the day was that we were never able to get close enough to Duffry to put them under pressure and conceded too many frees for which we were punished. On a positive note we can’t fault the endeavour and commitment shown by the players. In the first half we shot 6 wides compared to Duffry’s 2, while we also dropped two balls into the keepers hands and on another day if we had converted half of these opportunites we actually could have been in front at the break. All in all it has been a good 4/5 weeks for the team. We have had the basis of an early pre-season and hopefully it will stand us in good steed for the new season.
A big thank you to all the supporters who made the long journey to Abbeyleix and to our sponsors, Flynn and McGettrick, City Sightseeing Belfast, the Rock Bar and Hammond Lane Metal Co.
