Meet the men from Davitts

Davitts player in action recently against Eire Og.DAVITTS GAA Club PRO Joe Reapy has a better view than most of the team that will carry the hopes of the club in Sunday’s All-Ireland intermediate club football final in Croke Park.

His pen pictures of the team say a lot about what the club, the community and the GAA is all about.

Mark Diskin (40)

The former stalwart club midfielder who came out of retirement to fill the goalkeeping position is like the drop of wine - improving with age.

Confident and assured, Disco appears to be getting better as the years roll by. Some say he is ‘rock’ solid but others think he is just ‘stone’ mad.

Colm Roche (28)

Attacker-cum-defender who has made the number two jersey his own this season. An excellent reader of the game, he is currently playing the football of his life. Does occasionally look out for his big brother on the field.

Alan Roche (36)

Rochie was coaxed out of retirement by Peter Warren and has made the full-back position his own in the absence  of Frankie Barrett.

Alan, of course, brings with him a distinguished career as a former Mayo senior player and is a huge asset to the team

in terms of his strength, experience and determination. Very accurate when he goes forward and once scored a point for Davitts…years ago!

Kevin Gallagher (21)

Diego, as he is affectionately known, is fast becoming one of the outstanding corner backs in Mayo football.

A super athlete, he has broken the hearts of many corner forwards throughout this fantastic season.

Rarely loses his man but his t-shirt? Well, that’s another story.

Johnno Clarke (21)

Attacking wing back who regularly finds himself in good scoring positions. A very laid back character, he is a very effective player for the club…and a Strictly Come Dancing enthusiast.

Colm Boyle (25)

On the pitch, ‘Boyler ‘is an inspirational leader - brave as a lion, fit as a fiddle and as cranky as a bag of weasels.

A marvellous clubman, he is a great role model for the younger players.

Recently recalled to the Mayo senior panel.

James Cummins (27)

Tidi is a fiercely competitive wing-back who has little disregard for his own personal safety on the field. He’s a spirited, stout-hearted and bubbly character since his recent career change.

Ronan McNamara (28)

Overcame serious injuries to star at midfield this year. A great fielder and superb long range freetaker, he forms a very uncompromising midfield partnership with PC. His pointed 95-metre free kick was a feature of this year’s Mayo  intermediate championship final.

Paul Carey (29)

PC is having his best season to date in the red and black. He has a huge appetite for work and is currently fitter than at any stage of his career. Another no nonsense merchant on the field…and off it! Dangerous man on a bike.

Keith Prendergast (21)

Keith is a very talented player who captained the Under 21 team this year. He is having a great season. A member of the Skevard mafia and son of former Davitts star player, Louis.

David McDonagh (35)

Affectionately known as ‘Dowie’, he is a vastly experienced player who has given years of great service to the

club.

Always a big goal threat who also scored the occasional spectacular point. The one record that stands to him is he has never lost a game at Croke Park.

Pat Coyne (36)

Coyner has played in a number of positions for the club but has settled in well at number 12 this season.

A terrific fielder and an intelligent footballer, he was an important cog in his uncle Michael D’s presidential campaign

machine.

Aidan McTigue (25)

McFly is a speed merchant whose trickery on the ball causes defenders all sorts of problems.

Also excels at darts and regularly gets mistaken for Phil Taylor.

Fergal McGrath (21)

Strong, a good ball winner and lethal finisher, he’s a very intelligent player who relishes the physical side of  the game.

A closet fan of Home and Away.

Michael Conroy (27)

The team captain has been a revelation this season. Recalled to the Mayo senior panel following a string of exceptional

performances for his club, he’s a modest and shy character, recently visited by the tooth fairy!

Frankie Barrett (25)

A very talented defender who emigrated to Australia after helping Davitts win the Connaught title.

Lula returned in the last few weeks to give the club a massive boost before the All-Ireland final.

David Mitchel (18)

The back-up man in goals and the baby of the squad. The St. Colman’s College ‘keeper is a very bright prospect and a superb shot-stopper.

Keith Glynn (22)

A Former Mayo minor captain whose footballing career has been plagued with injuries. Excellent midfielder or forward who is now working as a male model in London.

Carlos O’Gara (30)

This Brian Dooher lookalike is a hardworking forward who will always give his all. Regular winner of the most exotic name in the club.

Martin Cosgrove (24)

Cossy has featured in defence in every championship game so far. A speedy and hugely committed defender, and also a Mike Denver fan.

Liam Kearns (21)

A very talented and accurate forward who is often mistaken for Niall from his favourite band One Direction.

Seamus Roche (27)

The third member of the Roche family in the squad. Seamus is a tough forward  with a very accurate left foot.

Michael Waldron (19)

A versatile young player who can play in a number of positions. Great fielder and an aspiring successor to Frank Hyland as club chairman.

Mark Ronayne (18)

An outstanding captain of  this season’s excellent minor team, he will be a leading player for the club for many years to come. (Is that him on the AIB poster?)

Josh Ronayne (19)

A very talented two-footed attacker. Ronayne is a super athlete with a big future ahead of him for both club and county. A serious Eurovision fan.

Michael Ronayne (23)

A defender who reads the game exceptionally well, ‘mopping’ up any danger that comes his way.

Shane Mitchell (21)

A midfielder who captained the club’s Under 21 team last year. Gutted when the Spice Girls broke up.

Tommy Mitchell (21)

Wholehearted player and brother of David and Shane. Was once auditioned for Bawnmore’s Got Talent.

John Heneghan (21)

Outstanding midfielder for the Under 21 team this year. His hobbies include bird watching, bird watching and bird watching, and even watching birds.

Jason Connolly (18)

A minor star who has a big future ahead of him in the Davitts colours. Another Mike Denver fan.

Laurence Daly (22)

A committed defender who is also an accomplished horseman. From a football mad family.

Richie Kilkenny (21)

Goal-poacher supreme and the youngest member of the most eco-friendly family in the parish.

Luke Ronayne (28)

Versatile player who has picked himself in a number of positions on the junior team.

Pat Hopkins (28)

Junior team captain and Pete Warren’s pet. Won the best turned out award on the St. Stephen’s Day cycle.

Management

Peter Warren

The club, the papers and the media in general have ran out of superlatives to describe this man in Ballindine and Irishtown.

The former Galway selector has turned the whole club around since his arrival last year. A legend in his own lifetime and a true professional.

Ja Trench

A quiet, calm, meticulous, deep-thinking selector who gives the job 100 per cent commitment. The players know they can’t pull the wool over his eyes.

John Treacy

Not as quiet and calm as Ja but just as dedicated. Former star player for the club.