Salthill began the game without the young blood who have had an integral role in the season thus far. Dave Meehan, Gearoid O 'Loin, Vinny Faherty Eoin O'Callaghan were notable absentees. The opportunity gave the likes of Paul Fitzpatrick, Noel Tyrrell, Dave Alexandra a chance to claim a regular place in the side.

Salthill began with a good workman like performance & found themselves a goal up with a clever free kick from Noel Tyrrell whipped in & on his second attempt, the scot Dave Alexandra scored. A good combination on their campaign debut for the pair. Big Dave showed dominated at the back for Devon & crumlin never really created in front of goal.

The second period enabled salthill to dominate & should have had the game killed off early but missed the killing edge in front of goal, it took a miss hit free kick which found its way to Simon Geary who turned to shoot & memories of dalglish's goal for Scotland against England back in the seventies, it trickled along the ground & somehow managed to go under the keepers legs to make it 2-0.

Devon introduced player manager Kenny Gavin & Brian Lalor followed shortly by Conor Costello. The game finished with a series of free kicks for the home team but Devon managed to hold out & continued their defence of their cup. Without 7 regular starters, it was a good result for the seagulls…..

Salthill began with a renewed hunger for victory & it was evident in the early stages that the home team were going to dominate proceedings, with a tactical change in formation, Devon dominated the midfield & found themselves a goal up with some quality play from young Vinny Faherty & John O'Connor, Simon Geary finished brilliantly after getting on the end of a telling pass from Conor O'Donovan. As can so often be the case, Devon took the foot off & allowed Naomh Bricin to settle into the game, although not creating any real opportunities they grew in confidence & started to exert an influence on the game. Slightly against the run of play the seagulls swopped for their second just on the stroke of half time, David Meehan finished coolly after clever approach play form the rising gem Gearoid O'Loin.

Salthill dominated the second period with creative & attacking play from their midfield, Dryden Geary & Dave Meehan excelled allowing time & space for Conor O'Donovan to produce telling passes could & should have reflected on the score line. Eoin O'Callaghan made an impact on his competitive debut & with no less than 7 players under 18, the future is looking bright for the salthill men. Sean Flaherty & Jason Burke were solid throughout but man of the match was 16 year old Gearoid O'Loin.

Both teams began their first competitive league outing with title aspirations in a windswept Drom on Saturday afternoon. Two early goals by Clive Mannion and Simon Geary respectively gave Devon the advantage at half time. Oughterard rallied early in the second half and responded with a good effort from Paul Silke to set up a frantic climax to a scrappy game.

Salthill Devon runners up in this league last season have seen seven of last years squad been promoted to their first team thus leaving the team this year with a new look and a youthful pedigree. Captained by the inspirational Sean 'Fla' Devon played with the elements in the opening period and took full advantage when Clive Mannion scored from thirty yards out, the goal keeper had no chance as the sweet strike aided by a gale wind took a wicked bounce and ended up in the back of the net. This goal lifted the Devon side and scored a second with good approach play by Simon Geary whose cross come shot managed to find the back of the net.

Devon were two up at the break and knew that Oughterard would throw everything at them in the second half. This was the case as Devon were forced to defend and some good approach play by the Oughterard team let in Paul Silke to finish their best move of the day. Some heavy tackling pursued and the referee did well to keep a cap on the game, after some close opportunities for both sides before the finish, Devon just about shaded what was a scrappy game and were well served by Michael Forde in goal and Dessie Lynas at the back, Jason Burke produced a man of the match display and was assisted in midfield by the youthful Dave Meehan and Vinny Faherty.

Mervue played host to salthill in the first round of the cup in what turned out to be an epic cup tie with more twists that a john Gresham novel.

Salthill started brightly & found themselves 2 up before half time with goals form Robert Porter & a deflected go from a mervue player, Mervue got back into the game in the second period & scored early on through Benny Curran & brought the game to extra time through a sweet free kick from summit chawla.

The game commenced with salthill playing from right to left with the aid of a strong gale, the Mervue side who ply their trade in 3 divisions were highly fancied going into the game especially after their success the the Bernard concarr pre season tournament. Devon fielded 5 new players to adult football products of 6 years of management & tuition of denis burke. Devon applied early pressure & the Newtown man vinny faherty was causing mervue havoc by drifting left & right & it was his eventual cross that cannoned off a mervue defender which led to the opening goal. D Meehan Jnr had made a late run which caused the defender to get caught in two minds. Devon then had to defend as mervue began to create a few chances but as salthill cleared their lines early they found Clive mannion in plenty of space who took on the remaining defender, he spotted the 30 yard run by young Robert porter who controlled the ball in an instance & with coolness personified lifted the ball over the advancing keeper, it was a fantastic finish from a player with a bright future & there was questions from the on looking Galway utd manager & stevie haynes as to who this young player was!

Half time approached & the Devon players re grouped as they knew they faced the elements in the second half. Salthill had to replace the bustling Drydo at half time as he injured that hypochrondicial ankle of his, he was replaced by another youngster, john O'Connor.

Devon were on the defensive for the majority of the second half & the pressure showed after 20 mins where mervue struck. James molloy was introduced for Devon to try & expose the mervue defense but ended up doing more defending himself, salthill gave away a dubious free kick on the edge of the box with 5 mins left, a well struck summit chawla found the back of the net with less than 5 mins left on the clock.

Extra time began & saw the introduction of another youngster, Gearoid O'Loin who slotted in at left back, both sides came close but the inevitable penalties ensued.

C mannoin went first & scored & mervue replied

James molloy hit the post & mervue scored

Dessie lynas scored & mervue also scored

Vinny Faherty & mervue also scored

John O'Connor scored & mervue to win blazed it over the bar

Gearoid scored & mervue scored

Sean Fla scored & then the mervue keeper stepped up only to see the 'Hero' michael forde save & claim victory for the seagulls

The 2c side who had such a successful campaign last season has a youthful look to it this season with no less than 7 of last year's squad being promoted to the first team. It's a fine balance of youth & 'experience' with 17 year old Robert Porter togging out alonside the legendary Rory Ginty. This game saw 3 of the current u-18 squad lining out with 2 more being added at half time.

It was a cultural insight to see the brazil team huddle before the game & pray 'Our Father' in their native tongue before commencement, the 2C faces looked on with amazement.

The opening period showed some silken skills & within 7 minutes devon were a goal down due to some defensive mix up. The troops began to rally & a youthful david meehan began to exert some influence on the game with a performance in the middle like he has been playing adult football all his life. Rory Ginty pulled a goal back with sone neat skill & added a second moments later after some good movement by Robert Porter. Decon were now cruising in the game & began to settle down & D Meehan Snr commaded the defence & began his parading runs in typical 'Cafu' style. Devon have a European look to it & the Slovakian 'Roman' aka Sasa Illic began to get the ball down & start to show his true quality. Dave O'Leary was not his usual self but the ever reliable Fitzy & newcomer from 'them we don’t speak of' colin duane began to dominate from defence. At half time, a weary lookin devon were delighted to get the aqua in order to start again in the second half.

The brazilians introduced a substitute who looked no older than 14 but 5 mins into the second half, he scored a wonder goal with a sweet chip 30 yards from goal giving the keeper no chance at all. The game was in a stalemate & it was going to take something special to win the game, devon had 2 penalty appeals turned down & in the last minute an advantage played by the referee allowed devon to score with young Gearoid toe poking a finish to claim victory for the seagulls.

The brazilian lads were gracious in defeat & were brought up to Drom after for showers & cupan tae suas in staighre tar eis an gcluiche. They were awe struck to see such a development & were delighted to get a glimpse of 'Il Duce' & 'Magic Johnston'.

This were then brought to the village of salthill for sandwiches in the pub of the 2C patron for the coming season 'The Office'

They were clearly delighted with their day out & have already invited us to Gort at christmas for a return leg.