Dillon Murphy notched a hat trick this evening in Drom to bring his goal tally for the season to 27 and to also give Devon U-14s a unique opportunity of 3 pieces of silverware this season.

This re-arranged Premier Cup Semi Final was played on pitch 4 in Drom. All too often we hear about a superb playing surface in Drom but this evening it would be fair to say that the pitch was as close to perfect as one would ever wish. If one was to describe the way one felt on the surface, the most obvious comparison would be how one feels after they have had a hair cut and they are pleased with the results.

Salthill Devon came into this tie without Conor Shaughnessy, Eoghan Stenson, Joe Gaughan, Colin Hanbury and Shane Garvey. Colm Hughes was drafted into the squad after his recent impressive performances in the League and Connaught Cup.

Chris Healy started in goals and was the captain for the day, Sean Lally at right full and Diarmuid Fadden at left full. Garbhann Malone and Aaron Kane marshalled the centre of defence. Alex Byrne and Niall Murray were the central midfield pairing with Ben Murphy on the left flank and Shane Connaughton on the right with Dillon Murphy and Aaron Murtagh in attack. Eric Ohlstrom and Colm Hughes were the substitutes.

Devon started in explosive form as Ben Murphy created a chance but Dillon Murphy failed to connect. The same combination moments later and again Dillon Murphy was unlucky not to open the scoring. However, Dillon Murphy did open the scoring moments later as Diarmuid Fadden intercepted a long ball and he found Alex Byrne who spotted the diagonal run of Dillon Murphy and this time he made no mistake, 1-0. Devon could and should have upped the tempo and went for the jugular and killed off the game but instead they sat back and produced their worst performance of the season over the next 20 minutes conceding a goal which the keeper was disappointed to drop into his own net.

Just before half time, a free kick on the edge of the box was struck powerfully by Alex Byrne and Dillon Murphy with real striker instinct followed the ball in as the keeper parried the shot and there was Dillon Murphy to notch his brace and Devons's second.

Some harsh words were delved out by the Devon management at half time and the players were in agreement to up their performance in the 2nd half. Just after half time, Eric Ohlstrom and Colm Hughes replaced Shane Connaughton and Aaron Murtagh respectively. To be fair, Devon did up the ante in the second half but once again after some flowing football and movement they failed to increase the advantage. They wrapped up the result mid way through the second half as Dillon Murphy got on the end of a Diarmuid Fadden delivery and he managed to control it on his chest and as the ball came down, he struck it with his left foot to make it 3-1. Several chances went abegging thereafter with a combination of some fine goalkeeping blocks and some near misses meant the scoreline remained intact. Seconds into injury time, a dubious penalty was flagged by the referee's assistant and the opposition goalkeeper duly stepped up and slotted the ball into the net to make it 3-2. A hairy moment or two ensued but Devon held firm to make their way to the Premier Cup Final and word filtered through that the opposition would be Tuam Celtic and not Mervue Utd.

So, a long season will come to fruition this Thursday evening in Mervue II and Devon have the opportunity to win their 3rd piece of silverware. Tuam Celtic won the Connaught Shield and have produced some fine performances as of late. The opposition will be respected.