This was only the 3rd game of the season but already people were talking about league decider and must win game. What a fantastic day for a game “Welcome to sunny Drom” and as usual Vinny had the pitch looking immaculate and ideal for a perfect game of football.

Right from the off the game exploded to life with some crunching tackles from both teams unfortunately for Salthill, Mervue were winning the majority of them. The game was end to end and then young Aidan Coyle went on a mazy run for Mervue beating two players and getting into the box when the Salthill full back came across to make the tackle but was maybe a little late so the ref blew for a penalty. Aidan picked himself up and stuck it into the corner, 1-0 Mervue and the half time whistle.

The 2nd half started like the first, fast and furious but this time after a few choice words in their ear’s Salthill started to play the better football and equalised from a superb 25 yard free kick form Conor O’Keefe.

Mervue didn’t lie down and went straight up the other end and took a free kick which Kevin Horgan saved but Conor Melody was the quickest to react and smashed the ball into the empty net. Time for Devon to regroup compose and pile on the pressure again.

After a 10 minutes spell of dominance they were rewarded when a corner was whipped in by Tommy McClean and Eamonn Conroy got up the highest and powered a header into the top corner, 2-2 now and game on. Devon were not sitting back and pushed on with every opportunity. They saved the best bit of football to last when a long ball over the top by Mervue was controlled by Brian Lally who pushed the ball out wide to Sean Kelly, Sean played the ball up the line to Coalin Tobin who then found Conor O’Keife in space, a great ball in was deflected of the head of the first defender and fall to the feet of Eoghan Power, Eoghan stayed composed and planted the ball into the bottom right hand corner. The players and crowd went crazy!

The referee then said 4 minutes extra time which seemed to last an hour for the lads on the side line, but then the final whistle went “YES”! Final score Salthill Devon 3-2 Mervue. This was a cracking game of football and was a great advertisement for Drom and all the players involved.