Soccer Wrap with Mike Rafferty

SALTHILL Devon collected the first silverware of the season when they won the Provincial Champions Cup with a comfortable victory over Carbury in Castlebar on Sunday and, in the process, added to the list of honours won by the club in recent years.

In the FAI Junior Cup, Maree-Oranmore secured an excellent away result in Dublin to see off Knockmitten United and join Mervue United and Knocknacarra in the last 32 of the competition.

In league action, Athenry, Colga and Mervue United were all winners in the top flight, while Championship leaders University of Galway shared the spoils with Moyne Villa. In South Park, West United maintained their promotion challenge with a comfortable success over Dynamo Blues.

Champions Cup

Salthill Devon 4

Carbury 1

Salthill Devon maintained their impressive record in Provincial finals with a commanding performance in the Champions Cup decider as they eventually saw off Carbury with a bit to spare. Two up at the break, they were stung by a goal from the Sligo side just after the restart, but pulled away again in the latter stages as Matthew Barrett got his second of the contest.

It was Emlyn Long’s side who imposed themselves on the game from the off, but they had to wait until the 22nd minute for the breakthrough when a Mikie Fox corner was cleared to the edge of the box and from where big central defender Jackson de Silva smashed an effort past John Lynch to make it 1-0. They added the second on the half hour mark when Timmy Molloy broke from half way before setting up the supporting Matthew Barrett to sidefoot home.

Now Carbury are regular contenders for honours in the Sligo-Leitrim League and with a number of players who have played at a higher level, they gave themselves a chance when they pulled a goal back on 55 minutes when Mark McGoldrick got a near post touch to an Aaron Murran corner to make it 2-1.

Though the goal certainly picked up Carbury for a spell, they never really threatened James Egan’s goal again and very quickly Devon added a third to give themselves some breathing space. It was Darren Darcy and Barrett who provided the assists as they set up Vinny Faherty to finish from close range and make it 3-1.

Substitute Jack Arra was the provider as Barrett sealed the win with the fourth as he ran through and slotted past Lynch.

Salthill Devon: Egan, Scally, Lee, de Silva, Crowe, O’Rourke, Molloy, Darcy, Fox, Faherty, Barrett. Subs: Arra, Rooney, McDonnell, Cullen, Greaney.

Pictured: Salthill Devon players and management celebrate winning the Champions Cup after defeating Carbury in Castlebar on Sunday. Back row, left to right: Emlyn Long (Manager), Keith Shaughnessy (Coach), Darren Darcy, Andrew Conolly, John Egan, Timmy Molloy, Paul Scally, Calym Crowe, Mikie Fox, Jackson de Silva, Enda Cullen, Ben McDonnell, Matthew Barrett, Colm Brannigan (Coach). Front Row: Matthew Murray, Princewell Diala, Mick Lee, Vinny Faherty, Shane O’Rourke (Captain), Daniel Murphy (Mascot), Ronan Greaney, Jack Arra, Niall Rooney.