Salthill Devon recover from early setback

SALTHILL Devon overturned an early deficit to dump Tullamore Town out of the third round of the FAI Cup at Leah Victoria Park on Saturday.

Their non-league opposition had stolen the lead in the 24th minute when Trevor Moylan converted a penalty after Gearóid O Leidhinn impeded Hafeez Sholola’s progress in the box.

Devon subsequently stepped up their game, however, and goalkeeper Joe Mooney began to look shaky between the Tullamore posts.

Brian Geraghty had the chance to level the score on the half hour but blasted over the crossbar after Mooney had failed to handle a cross from Luke McConnell.

The home side protected the advantage until just before half-time when O Leidhinn pulled a cross back from the by-line and Mooney again struggled to palm the ball away. He cleared only as far as Paddy Quinlan, who lobbed the ball over the flailing ‘keeper for Shane Brown to unleash a shot that was deflected into the goal by the head of Charlie Burke.

Tullamore rallied as the second half began and created a number of chances, the best of which was fired over by Mick Gooding after he latched onto Michael Hoey’s incisive pass.

It was the Galway side that seized the lead in the 59th minute, however, after substitute Mike Kennedy made an immediate impact as he converted a cross from full back O Leighinn having been less than a minute on the pitch.

The A Championship club had progressed to the third round having beaten Cherry Orchard and Fairview Rangers at Leah VictoriaPark, but their cup run was to be brought to a unsatisfactory end as Salthill sealed the win just four minutes later.

James Whelan was fouled in the area as he climbed to meet McConnell’s corner and a penalty was awarded. Burke maintained his composure as he claimed his second of the game from the spot to ensure his side’s place in the fourth round of the FAI Cup