SWA HURLERS WIN FIRST EVER SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP!

The senior hurlers did the club extremely proud on Saturday afternoon at Celtic Park as they lifted the Fr Collins cup for the first time. Swatragh were first to register a score to take an early lead, one which they would not relinquish for the remainder of the match. Banagher could not matched the intensity and skill that Swatragh showed throughout. Micky Conway started the match in blistering form and appeared to have scored the first point but the ball was called back for an earlier infringement. Micky took the free himself but it dropped short as he struck the ball against the wind it fell into the square where Ruairi Convery doubled on the ball into the back of the net. With the wind at theirs backs, Banagher failed to take advantage as they missed a succession of long range frees. A couple of Ruairi Convery frees kept the score board ticking over as the St Mary's men responded with a few points of their own. Shamus McQuillan managed to turn over the ball inside the Banagher 45', his effort at the posts dropped short against the elements but Chrissy Convery managed to pull on the breaking ball to plant the ball into the net. A Micky Kirkpatrick free from his own 65' was the last score at the half to leave the Davitts 2-04 to 0-05 up at the break. Sean McNicholl's introduction at half time for the injured Declan McGuckin added some more physicality to the Swatragh half forward line with his direct running. Sean got himself on the scoreboard with a point from play along with Big R free. A hopeful long ball into the otherwise watertight full Swa back line caused havoc and resulted in a penalty being awarded as the Banagher man was hauled to ground. The dead ball was duly converted as the Banagher man blasted the ball into the back of the net to reduce the deficit to four points. But the Swa boys showed great composure thereafter and extended their lead with points from play by substitute Declan McAlary and a mighty effort from Big R. A fantastic defensive effort kept Banagher at bay for the remainder of the match with Michael Warnock and Seamus Bradley outstanding. Many a tear was shed as the culmination of a couple of decades of hard work finally came to fruition when Alan Nash blew the final whistle and the pitch was invaded (James McCready first on) by the jubilant Swatragh supporters. Captain Micky Kirkpatrick, in a very selfless gesture, let the elder statesman of the team Micky Conway lift the trophy to huge applause. Cue wild celebrations which lasted long into the the wee hours from the club to Friel's and Wee Pat's plus many a home in the parish.

Note from the chairman Liam McQuillan - "On behalf of the committee of Michael Davitt GAC, I'd like to say what a weekend for our first ever 'Senior County Championship title'. The boys were fantastic in every position on the field. The pride in the green and white hoops was clear for everyone in Celtic Park to see. The attitude throughout the team in the final was set in place by the performance of club stalwart Michael Conway with some fantastic catches and massive hits in the first ten minutes. After this the rest of the team took their game to another level and Banagher could not compete with the quality and intensity of the hurling on show from Swatragh. A big congratulations to the senior hurling panel and management for giving the club, members and supporters a day which will write a new page in the history of Michael Davitt GAC Swatragh. A massive thank you to all involved including the sponsors who contributed to a day (and night) to remember for years to come."

Any members wanting ticket for the All Ireland hurling final reply should let Liam know ASAP.

Club lotto number on Saturday past were 3,6,15 and 21. There was no jackpot winners but lucky dip winners were Liam McQuillan and Rose McFlynn. Jackpot 1 currently stands at £5000 with Jackpot 2 now at £1600. Bingo takes place every Sat night at 9pm with the jackpot at £2500 for 42 numbers. Tweet

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