On a balmy summer's morning in Drom, Salthill Devon entertained title challengers and city rivals Mervue Utd in both their penultimate league game. To put this game in context, both teams came into this tie on 9 games played and 25pts accumulated, not to mention Corrib Celtic on 8 games played with 22 pts. Devon had the more difficult run in with both of their final games against Mervue and Corrib Celtic respectively.

Conditions for this game were ideal, Jerry Scully got the forecast right with temperatures in the early 20's, no wind factor and a surface that Arsene Wenger would be pleased with. The mood in the Devon camp was buoyant with the full squad with the exception of Colin Hanbury available for selection.

Devon started with a 4-2-3-1 formation made famous whilst Rafa Benitez was in charge of Valencia or even whilst the big Welsh man 'Tosh' aka John Toshack was in Madrid. Chris Healy was between the sticks, Sean Lally at right Full and Diarmuid Fadden at left full. Shane Garvey and Garbhann Malone marshalled the centre of defence, Alex Byrne and Conor Shaughs were the holding midfielders and the attacking trio of Ben Murphy, Joe Gaughan and Dillon Murphy played just behind the top figure of Eoghan Stenson.

Devon started brightly and it was evident that boys were not going to let this game go by without any regrets. Conor Shaughnessy continuing on from his man of the match performance from last Tuesday against Corofin began to exert his influence on the game. Mervue had adopted a 4-5-1 formation and as such the middle of the park was very congested, Devon soon reverted to a 4-4-2 with Joe Gaughan moving wide right and Dillon Murphy moving up top alongside Eoghan Stenson. The first real chance of note in the game saw Diarmuid Fadden release the ball to Ben Murphy wide left, he took the ball and glided by opposing defenders like an olympic skier and he delivered a telling ball right across the 6 yard line and Eoghan Stenson was just inches away from being on the end of the superb delivery by Murphy. The opening goal came from Devon's hard work on set pieces, Diarmuid Fadden with a left juke in the Ian Harte school of left foots delivered a superb ball in and Conor Shaugnessy retreated to the edge of the box and as the ball broke to him he struck it with the most sweetest of half volleys into the bottom corner of the net, a superb finish from a player who is currently in his peak form. Shane Garvey and Garbhann Malone together were dealing with the lone threat of Chris Sherlock in attack for Mervue. Sean Lally was getting alot of ball down the right flank and on any given opportunity he was penetrating the Mervue defense. Devobn made it 2-0 shortly afterwards when Garbhann Malone curbed a Mervue attack and he delicately picked out the run of Ben Murphy down the left flank, he in turn released Eoghan Stenson further down the left flank who used his full frame to hold off the opposition defender and with his right foot he delivered a telling ball across the 6 yard box from left to right and the in rushing Joe Gaughan who had made up 40 yards was on hand to finish at the back stick, a classy move ending in a goal. It brought celebrations from the Devon side as this goal epitomized what the squad is all about, always en-devouring to play the game the way it should be played.

Half time and Devon were 2-0 up. Into the cool Drom dressing room for rest and re focus. From afar it was apparent the squad remained fully focused on the target in hand. Each player decided that rather than sit on the lead, it was important to push for that all important third goal.

Minutes into the second half Joe Gaughan got on the ball about 25 yards and struck the ball with such ferocity and swerve that it found its way under the body of the Mervue keeper to make it 3-0. Due to the sheer heat of the day, it was obvious that the pace of the game could not continue.

Devon introduced Shane Connaughton down the left flank for Ben Murphy and he was immediately involved maintaining composure on the ball and finding a man each time he was in possession of the ball, Niall Murray who has been in his best form for over 2 years of late came into replace Joe Gaughan who like Ben Murphy was having a good game.

Chris Healy in goal proved once again why he is in the top 2 keepers in the district by touching a ball over the bar that was destined for the top corner of the net. He was commanding, vocal and sprightly all afternoon but he kept the best for the final 5 minutes, just after Aaron Murtagh, Aaron Kane and Eric Ohlstrom were introduced to the game, Mervue had a corner and as the ball came into the box, a header richoted off Alex Byrne and vocal roars from the Mervue side line resulted in a penalty for Mervue. Chris Sherlock stepped up and his effort was heading to the bottom right corner of the net only for Chris Healy to outstretch his arm and somehow manouvre the ball to deflect off the post and on his second attempt, Healy covered the ball. Devon continued their fast paced neat passing game and were unlucky not to make it 4-0. Soon after the referee blew for full time and Devon celebrated knowing that they have achieved 50% of the 100% target for the remaining league games.

Premier Cup this Monday evening in Craughwell followed by Corrib Celtic this Thursday in Drom in which could very well be deemed as the league final as Corrib celtic would be expected to win their games in hand.

The Devon Management structure of Gavin and De Renzy were interviewed following the game but both would not be drawn on anything definitive, 'the boys done well today and played the game in the way we believe it should be played but this will all count for nothing if we do not finish the job next Thursday evening'. Wise words indeed...

If your are looking for a good spirited game of football this thurday, why not pop up to Drom to watch our u-14's in action.

Devon Squad: Chris Healy, Sean Lally, Diarmuid Fadden, Garbhann Malone, Shane Garvey, Alex Byrne, Conor Shaughnessy, Joe Gaughan, Dillon Murphy, Eoghan Stenson, Ben Murphy, Shane Connaughton, Aaron Kane, Aaron Murtagh, Eric Ohlstrom, Niall Murray, (Colin Hanbury was away).