Game of the day, the new initiative from Salthill Devon stalwart and voice of the 5's Brendan O'Shaughnessy to encourage Club rather than team support, began on Saturday with a potential banana skin Connaught Cup tie for the Under 14s against Cregmore/Claregalway.

Awakening in the early hours of Saturday morning ensured one definite, the weather people had got it right, blustery but dry conditions. On arriving in the mecca that is Drom, thankfully, the wind was not as hazardous as first anticipated, the feeling was good, a positive lisbon vote, the nippers in full flow with JP, the magical fog horn dictating proceedings, the 4 pitches once again in perfect condition and the cup run feeling evident amongst the posse as kick off approached.

Young Conor Shaugnessy felt a twinge in the warm up and it was decided to alter the starting line up rather than risk a potential worsening of the injury. Shane Connaughton returned to the starting line up and Salthill Devon began with a 4-4-2 formation. From the 1st minute it was clear that Devon meant business and they began to exert their influence on proceedings. They didnt have it all thier own way and Chris Healy in goals made two decent stops early on to maintain parity. Joe Gaughan reverted back to centre midfield for this game and with the injury to Conor Shaughnessy he had the opportunity to stamp his place on a centre midfield berth.

From as early as the 20th minute he began to run the game and was ably assisted in midfield by Alex Byrne. Ben Murphy was producing his strongest performance thus far down the left flank and Shane Connaughton was equally constructive down the right.

The opening goal came about with good approach play by Alex Byrne in centre midfield, he released Ben Murphy down the left flank who easily beat his man and he found Dillon Murphy who teed up Joe Gaughan with a powerful and equally precise strike found the bottom corner of the net to give Devon a 1-0 lead.

It was 2-0 shortly afterwards, again Ben Murphy was instruemental down the left and a precise pass enabled Dillon Murphy to get across his marker and apply a fine finish. It was nice for Dillon Murphy to get off the mark with his first goal as his work ethic and positive attitude deserved this reward. Eoghan Stenson was leading the line well and his link up play with his midfielders was excellent in the 1st half.

At half time it was 2-0. Devon started strongly in the second period, Aaron Kane was getting forward alot more supporting Shane Connaughton down the right and a neat ball found Stenson race clear of the defenders and a delicate chip over the outrushing keeper appeared to be on its way into an empty net only for it to hit the underside of the bar. Joe Gaughan made it 3-0 shortly afterwards and this saw the introdution of Conor Shaughnessy to replace Eoghan Stenson, Joe Gaughan moved into the striking role and he notced his hat trick with a terrific header to make it 4-0.

Shane Garvey and Garbhann Malone were once again dominant at centre half but it wasa the midfield prowess that dominated this game. Eric Ohlstrom replaced Ben Murphy out left, Aaron Murtagh replaced Dillon Murphy in attack, Niall Murray replaced Alex Byrne and Colin Hanbury replaced Aaron Kane. Strength in depth of this squad was evident as Eric Ohlstrom made an immediate impression and was unlucky on two occasions not to score, his second attempt saw him outjump his marker only to see his header skim the top of the bar. Aaron Murtagh on his debut for the U14s fitted in straight away and was unlucky not to score too, Colin Hanbury was rampant down the right flank and Niall Murray went about his work in the centre of the park with ease.

Joe Gaughan made it 5-0 and notced his 4th with another splenderous strike to the bottom corner of the net leaving his Galway District League goalkeeping team mate with no chance. Indeed, were it not for the opposition keeper's performance the score line may have been higher. Devon go into the next round of the cup and take note that they have produced thier best performance to date. There is and remains alot of hard work still to be done if they wish to realise the ambitions set out at the start of the season.