Devon throw away lead to crash to their third consecutive defeat

Date Published: 13-Jun-2011

Salthill Devon 2

Monaghan United 5

Peter Horgan

Salthill Devon crashed to their third straight defeat in spectacular fashion as Roddy Collins’ Monaghan United ran out 5-2 winners in Drom on Saturday night.

The Seagulls were under sustained pressure from a well-drilled Monaghan side for a vast majority of the game and the bulwark of the Salthill back four was needed time and time again to repel the aerial play that Monaghan implemented throughout the game.

Nevertheless, the closest that either side came to breaking the deadlock was a 16th minute free from Gearoid Ó’Leidhinn which was whipped into the Monaghan box only for a free header from Ciprian Straut to graze wide.

A scrappy period saw both sides struggle to impose themselves on the game as Salthill attempted to play a more ground-based game while Monaghan continued with an aerial offensive.

An innocuous collision between players saw Monaghan defender Aidan Collins stretchered off after a long stoppage and also saw the any momentum that Salthill may have built up disappear as Monaghan pressed further with the sustained aerial pressure on the Salthill defenders.

That pressure reaped the benefits on 26 minutes when a crossfield ball from Jason Marks to John Reilly was nodded down into the path of Michael Isichei who beautifully looped the ball from an impossible angle over keeper Ronan Forde. Isichei came close again two minutes later as a renewed Monaghan (and Isichei) terrorised the left flank of the Salthill defence.

However, Monaghan defender Paul Whelan paid the price for a reckless challenge on Gearoid O Leidhinn who was awarded a penalty on the 38th minute. Ciprian Straut slotted the ball into the bottom left to bring the game level going into the half-time.

Salthill brought that confidence from the penalty straight into the second with a magnificent goal right off the mark by Victor Collins squeezing a shot underneath Gabriel Sava to put Salthill 2 -1 ahead. Four minutes later, the pressure was on again when Ronan Conlon’s shot was tapped over the crossbar in a wonderful save by Sava in the Monaghan goal. Collins then came close again when his shot shaved the post as a visibly more confident Devon outfit imposed themselves all over the pitch.

A chance to put the game beyond doubt was lost on 59 minutes when a contentious decision was made by referee Keith Callanan. A handball by Monaghan substitute Phillip Byrne was waved on as Monaghan struggled to clear a bouncing cross in around the goal line. Salthill seemed to take it in their stride however as a lovely passage of play emerged within the midfield as the players became more comfortable on the ball and with possession.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Sentinel.