Salthill are sent packing

 SALTHILL DEVON              0

SHAMROCK ROVERS       2

JASON BYRNE  AT DEACY PARK

SUBSTITUTE Billy Dennehy was the hero for Shamrock Rovers at Eamonn Deacy Park on Friday night as the Kerryman saved the Hoops’ blushes with two goals to deny battling Salthill Devon.

 This was Trevor Croly side’s first visit to the banks of the Corrib since the demise of Galway United in 2011, and former United man Karl Sheppard was the man to pick out Dennehy on 62 minutes, much to the relief of the travelling support, before the reserve sealed his brace.

 In the opening minute, James Chambers fired an early warning to Salthill Devon when his crisp free kick flashed over the bar. Subsequently, Sean O’Connor crossed to Jason McGuinness but his header was cleared off the line by Jamie McGlynn.

 Devon continued to frustrate the Hoops as each member of John Brennan’s side put in a monstrous effort, with Jakub Tomanica and Craig Harding at the core of good spells of Devon possession.

 On 20 minutes, O’Connor sent another corner low to the waiting Ronan Finn at the edge of the box but his drive also flew just over the bar. Enda Curran and Stephen Rodden then supported each other well in another spell of Salthill possession as the travelling support grew uneasy.

 In Rovers’ latest attempt to create an opening, Sheppard played a neat ball over the top aimed at Thomas Stewart, but Devon skipper Robbie Gaul was on hand to clear.

Devon were 14/1 to advance to the third round before kick-off and on the half hour mark they almost grabbed a shock lead when Craig Harding won a free kick from around 30 yards from goal, and Enda Curran’s bullet smashed off the crossbar.

 Two minutes later another Rovers corner was whipped in by O’Connor but it was headed over by James Chambers, before O’Connor had a decent effort himself from a free kick which went narrowly wide.

 As half time approached Devon were still ticking along nicely – but were almost punished for cheap giveaway when O’Connor picked up the loose ball and had another go, but again failed to hit the target.

 On the stroke of half time, Devon nearly shocked the visitors once again when Curran’s deflected effort took a fierce dip and almost landed in the net, only for Conor Powell to be in the right place to hook it over the bar.

 After the restart, Shamrock Rovers seemed to really up the tempo and the search for a goal was increased. Four minutes in, Jason McGuinness found himself at the back post but his low came off the upright and frantic Devon cleared.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Sentinel.