Devon get perfect boost ahead of city derby with first win
Date Published: 16-May-2011
Wexford Youths 1
Salthill Devon recorded their first win of the season in Ferrycarrig Park on Friday night to move off the foot of the table and give the side a shot of confidence ahead of the Galway derby with Mervue United this coming Friday night.
The result was everything for Salthill Devon as they went to Wexford on Friday night, and new manager Paul McGee got the result he craved as late goals from Victor Collins and Ciprian Straut sealed the win.
Ironically it was a combination of wins for both Devon and Mervue that take Salthill off the bottom and adds real spice to this weekend’s encounter.
That said, the actual game in Wexford was very forgettable. A sterile first half where the visitors created any of the half chances there were, with Etanda Nkololo again looking sharp was in time added on when a harmless tentative shot from Ben Ryan caught a deflection off James Whelan, leaving Ronan Forde no chance in the Salthill goal.
A cruel blow and a touch of the Déjà vu’s for the Salthill faithful as several games recently have seen periods of dominance abruptly ended by goals for the opposition against the run of play.
Devon equalised nine minutes into the second half when Paddy Quinlan got a touch onto a corner to guide the ball into the net past Packie Holden. Wexford responded by introducing a couple of subs, and the changes saw them briefly assume control but James Whelan cracked a shot off the Wexford crossbar as Devon pressed once more.
They got their reward in the 75th minute when Victor Collins fired them in front, and the win was sealed in the final minute when Ciprian Straut grabbed his side’s third. Salthill’s first win of the season lifts them, off the bottom. They will now eagerly look forward to the ‘derby’ game with Mervue on Friday night with renewed confidence.Wexford Youths: Holden; McCurtin (Wolfe 72), Keogh, Kehoe, Broaders; Nolan (Rowe 68), Malone, Wall, Ryan; Furlong, Grincell (Walshe 58).
Salthill Devon: Forde; Quinlan (Rupa 78), Fadden, Whelan, O’Leidhlinn; McBrien, Greaney, Browne, Nkololo; Straut, Collins (Dolan 81).
Referee: Dave McKeon (Dublin).