Heartbreak as Salthill Devon men pipped at the post again

Salthill Devon 1
Waterford United 2

JASON BYRNE IN DROM

PAUDIE Quinn’s double gave Waterford a precious win at Salthill Devon on Friday night as the hosts were left cursing another late winner having failed to convert their chances.

Life can be cruel at the foot of the table and for the second time this season, an injury time winner has stung Tony Mannion’s men in Drom when they deserved so much more.

The chance to leapfrog Waterford at the foot of the table was missed, but it was all down to the amount of chances that went abegging for Devon with Waterford keeper Craig Hyland also having a stormer.

It was the visitors who started brightest but Devon did find the net after 18 minutes when Cian Fadden headed in Derek O’Brien’s corner, but he was penalised for a push in the back and the goal was disallowed.

Two minutes later, another O’Brien corner was met by Gaffney’s head again and this time his shot came off the post and sailed wide, but Waterford still held most of the possession.

Subsequently, the visitors took the lead with their first meaningful chance as Darragh Walsh raced through on goal and although his shot was blocked by James Keane, it squirmed under the Devon keeper and Quinn was on hand to tap home.

Another Quinn effort was blocked on the line by Colm Horgan and, at this point, Devon took a foothold on the game. Jamie Glynn had a go from distance which flashed inches wide as Derek O’Brien began looking dangerous on the left wing.

Ten minutes before the break a cracking O’Brien free kick was tipped clear by the diving Hyland, before a slick Devon move saw Jakub Tomanica feed Jean Binasumba, but he too was denied by the Waterford keeper.

Fadden then headed over from another O’Brien corner, but on the stroke of half time Devon deservedly drew level when O’Brien fed Tomanica, who turned his man and drove the ball low to Hyland’s left.

After the restart, Brian Gaffney went on a mazy run and again Hyland came to the rescue for Waterford, before Biansumba missed a sitter when Gaffney played him in and he blazed over from close range.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Sentinel.