By Mike Rafferty

IT is just over six weeks since Salthill Devon played their last match in a 40-game season which started in September and finished in mid-June. On Sunday, they kick off a new campaign with a home fixture in Drom (2pm) against Malahide United in the FAI Senior Cup.

The Galway League side qualified for this competition after they advanced to the last four of the FAI Junior Cup and, indeed, were in preliminary rounmd action previously when they saw off Liffey Wanderers by 1-0 before the end of the season. This game poses the same difficulties for both sides as they are in their off season and are not due to return to action on the local club front until the beginning of September.

Of course, Salthill Devon enjoyed a very successful season when winning the Premier Division title for the first time in 22 years, while the club also made it back to back Connacht Junior Cup triumphs with a final success over Ballinasloe Town.

There were disappointments as well, notably the FAI Junior Cup semi-final loss against Villa FC in Waterford, while the Michael Byrne Cup final defeat against Mervue United in their last match of the season was a surprise, but probably came as a tired side struggled to get over the finishing line in a long campaign.

For Sunday’s contest against Malahide United, it will be much changed Devon side as up to eight players will not be available for the game. Timmy Molloy, Alberto Cabanyes and Cormac Raftery have all moved abroad and will not be playing with the club this season, while Darren Creaven is ruled out due to work committments. Elsewhere, goalkeeper Arek Mamala, Calym Crowe, Jackson De Silva and Mike Fox are not available either, but will be about when the local league action resumes.

Speaking to Tribune Sport this week, Devon assistant manager Keith O’Shaughnessy stressed that the players were just getting back together after a short lay off. “Look, this game is coming a bit early for us as we are just back in training, but then I’m sure that Malahide are in the same boat.

For more, read this week’s Galway City Tribune.

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