Salthill Devon U-14s returned to SFAI action with a tricky away assignment immediately after the Christmas break. With the recent artic weather conditions preparation for this game were not ideal and more pertinently, Devon were without 1st choice goalkeeper for the second Irish Cup game in sucession, Chris Healy.

Devon played a 4-3-1-2 formation with no out and out right winger but the formation caused difficulty for the opposition as they found it difficult to contain the central midfield grouping of Joe Gaughan, Alex Byrne and man of the match, Conor Shaugnessy. Ben Murphy played wide left with the burgeoing relationship of Stenson and Dillon Murphy in attack.

Devon started brightly and were unlucky not to score in the opening minutes as the AC Celtic make the first of a number of saves throughout the game. The opening goal was started and finished by Conor Shaughnesy in midfield, he took hold of the ball in midfield, he put Stenson through for an attack on goal and it looked like he had broken clear only for last gasp defending by the opposition keeper and centre half. But the ball broke free and Shaugnessy struck the ball into the empty net to give the visitors a deserved lead.

AC Celtic possessed a potent threat with their front man, whose strength and pace caused anxious moments in the Devon box. Devon played some neat ball and passed the ball competently but when it mattered most, in the final third, a combination of luck and lack of composure meant the half finished 1-0.

On resumption, Devon stepped it up a gear and Ben Murphy begun to exert pressure on the AC Celtic defence, Murphy and Fadden combined well on the left flank and 2 super deliveries in succession should have yielded more.

Up step Conor Shaugnessy to make it 2-0, some neat play by Shaughnessy, Stenson, Gaughan and Byrne created an opening for Conor Shaugnessy to perfectly place the ball far out of the keepers outstretched arm to make it 2-0. A superb finish.

As cliches go, 2-0 is the most dangerous lead in football, some lacklustre defending enabled the big striker for AC Celtic to get in behind and expertly finish to keep the game wide open. 2-1.

Devon scored again but the goal was ruled out as there was indication of a knock on the keeper. Devon tightened up the defence and the introduction of Shane Connaughton and Aaron Murtagh enabled a fresher approach as Devon reverted to a 4-4-2 formation.

An away trip to Swords Celtic awaits Devon in the last 36.

Must be more clinical is the final verdict. Shane Garvey once again proved to be Devon's most consistent player this season to date, accompanied by Garbhan Malone and Aaron Kane with special mention for Ciaran in goals.