Soccer Wrap with Mike Rafferty

The FAI Junior Cup wins of Salthill Devon and Mervue United over the weekend were notable achievements, but were secured in contrasting fashions. For Devon their drubbing of a weak Cork side was simple and straight forward, with the outcome never in doubt.

In contrast, Mervue United travelled to Donegal to play a Letterkenny side who had beaten them a year previously in Fahy’s Field, but despite falling behind early, they recovered extremely well to take a lead into the break and then extend it on the resumption on their way to a deserved win.

The FAI Junior Cup wins of Salthill Devon and Mervue United over the weekend were notable achievements, but were secured in contrasting fashions. For Devon their drubbing of a weak Cork side was simple and straight forward, with the outcome never in doubt.

In contrast, Mervue United travelled to Donegal to play a Letterkenny side who had beaten them a year previously in Fahy’s Field, but despite falling behind early, they recovered extremely well to take a lead into the break and then extend it on the resumption on their way to a deserved win.

In Premier League action, University of Galway ended a five-match losing streak with an impressive away win over bottom side Loughrea and in the process gave themselves a little space away from the relegation zone.

In the Championship, Corrib Rangers lost for the second week in succession away against Corrib Celtic; while Knocknacarra saw off West United in a city derby.

FAI JUNIOR CUP

Salthill Devon 5

Douglas Hall 0

Pre-match word-of-mouth had pencilled this game in for a comfortable Salthill Devon success and so it turned out in Drom on Sunday afternoon. Two goals in the opening quarter gave them a worthy reward for their efforts, before a flat spell for the remainder of the half saw the pace and intensity drop.

No doubt, that was a bone of contention at half time and discussions were had. The decisive third goal arrived 90 seconds into the second-half, and thereafter the scoreline could have been anything.

They were to add two more goals as Colin Kelly and Conor Barry completed their braces, while the home side struck a post on two occasions also; while the missed chances were plentiful against a Cork side who were not remotely in Devon’s league.

A free header by Kelly on four minutes should have put the home ahead, but the side netting was its final destination. A few early set-pieces could have produced a reward, but some frantic defending by the visitors kept Devon out.

The breakthrough arrived on 14 minutes, when Marc Ludden delivered a long diagonal ball into the path of Barry down the left. The Portumna native took it in his stride, before slipping it past the advancing goalkeeper for a 1-0 advantage.

They added a second five minutes later when Barrett did all the work down the right and slipped a pass inside to Kelly. The former Mervue United striker took a touch and a turn before drilling a powerful shot past Mullins O’Keeffe for 2-0.

He was denied a second moments later when a downward header was kept out by the legs of the custodian. At the other end of the park, Devon goalkeeper Arek Mamala was asked no questions, as he routinely dealt with a few long balls and set-piece deliveries.

The game was killed off on 47 minutes when Barrett and Darren Collins combined to set up Kelly to fire home from just inside the box for 3-0. Barry fired home the fourth in the 68th minute; and Mikey Fox played Ben McDonnell through to add the fifth in the 83rd minute.

Devon played the final 16 minutes with 10 men after Darren Darcy limped off after going over on his ankle just a minute after coming on. His introduction had been Devon’s fifth substitution, but despite the numerical disadvantage, they were never threatened by the visitors.

Salthill Devon: Mamala, D Collins, Lee, O’Rourke (Scally 58), Crowe, Ludden (Arra 72), Molloy, J Collins (McDonnell 58), Barrett (Fox 58), Barry, Kelly (Darcy 73).

Douglas Hall: A Mullins O’Keeffe, Mealy, R Kelleher (Kanza 54), Hill, L Mullins O’Keeffe, Fahy, O’Donovan (inj, Malone 27), Horgan (K Kelleher 69), Nolan (O’Sullivan 76), Flanagan, Keane.

Referee: Marc Lynch.

Pictured: Salthill Devon’s Anna Conway and Brooke Corcoran of Athenry FC, battle for possession during the U-16 Premier Division clash between the sides at Drom last weekend, which Salthill Devon won 1-0. Photos: Iain McDonald.