Devon bidding for first-ever Connacht Junior Cup title
Soccer Wrap with Mike Rafferty
When the coronavirus arrived in our part of the world in March, Salthill Devon were the only unbeaten side in the Western Hygiene Supplies Premier Division and were one of four sides very much in contention for title honours.
Games were suspended, and eventually led to the decision by the Galway FA in June to declare the local season null and void. It was the only option available, but was possibly rough justice on a Devon side who were the fancied outfit to go all the way and claim the title.
The resumption of sport nationwide was a blessing in disguise for them and when the Connacht Junior Cup was resurrected at the last 16 stage, the club was well positioned to pose a challenge for a first ever provincial title, and they hope to make that a reality when they take on Westport in the final on Sunday in Castlebar (2pm).
It is a little unbelievable that the club never succeeded in this competition previously and in their only previous appearance in the final, they went down in the 2000 decider to Hibernians.
Devon competed in the Connacht Senior League for many years, and achieved both League and Cup honours at that grade. At local level, their last Premier Division title was achieved over two decades ago under Stevie Haynes, with just some recent Michael Byrne Cup success providing any silverware for the trophy cabinet.
The squad is well prepared for this game. In anticipation of a return to sporting action, the players continued with their individual training regimes during the various lockdowns, before returning as a collective when allowed.
They played their opening two games in the competition away from home and recorded successes over Glen Celtic (3-1) and Ballina Town (4-3), before a run of three games in succession at home. Two of those games proved to be very comfortable wins over Cartron United (4-0) and Castlebar Celtic (6-0), before St Bernard’s made them work really hard for a 1-0 victory in the semi-final. That contest against the Abbeyknockmoy side will certainly stand to them on Sunday, as walking through games can give one a sense of complacency.
For more, read this week’s Galway City Tribune.
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