North End United 1

Salthill Devon 0

(After extra time)

By Mike Rafferty in Bunclody

Salthill Devon came up short at the FAI Junior Cup semi-final stage for the second time in three seasons, as North End United grabbed a winner in extra-time in Bunclody on Sunday afternoon to book their spot in the decider.

This was a contest between two pretty evenly-matched teams and while both enjoyed spells of domination, it was more a case of them cancelling one another out. It almost appeared that both sides had the brakes half-on, with caution the obvious choice, as neither side ever left themselves open.

It was always a contest where the lead goal would be vital and that arrived just two minutes into extra-time. A long ball into the Devon area bounced and as Paul Scally attempted a clearance, he made contact with North End’s Eoin Rhodes.

It wasn’t a blatant foul, but a situation where a penalty is generally awarded and such was the case here. Former League of Ireland campaigner Paul Murphy took the spot-kick, and his less than well struck effort was saved by Arek Mamala, the rebound fell kindly into the path of the striker as he blasted to the roof of the net for what turned out to be the match winner.

For many years Salthill Devon have been playing at a level above the ordinary in the local league and while they have contended for outside honours at national and provincial on a regular basis, their return in terms of titles is not what might be expected.

They are currently battling for a fourth Premier League title in succession, with Mervue United the challengers, but success on a local level does not appear to prepare them for contests further afield and where the competition is stiffer.

They performed well in the opening half as they enjoyed a lot of possession, but never got the numbers forward to give it a real go. Up top, Colin Kelly ploughed a lone furrow, as he was outnumbered all the time, and the supply of deliveries from the flanks never offered him an opportunity for a breakthrough.

The Wexford side had a little more going for them from an offensive point of view. Like Devon, they had good performers all over the park, with towering centre-half Gary Delaney and big number nine Rhodes central figures in their respective positions.

However, in contrast to the visitors, the home side appeared to get things going at a faster pace and they certainly threatened a breakthrough on a number of occasions.

In an opening half of limited opportunities, North End United were thwarted by a post on 32 minutes when Rhodes got his head to a left-wing Niall Connolly delivery, but despite having time and space his effort came back off a post; and the same player was also denied by a Calym Crowe goal-line clearance after he got a touch to a Todd Hynes free-kick.

The early contributions of Conor Barry before he went off injured, and the continued influence of Timmy Molloy, gave Devon a foothold at stages, but for all their prompting, their actions out wide and in the last third of the park were limited.

Pictured: Michael Lee worked hard for Salthill Devon in Bunclody on Sunday.