© Devenish College Enniskillen, 2012 | design by clarecomm
sport
NI SFA UMBRO SENIOR CUP
Devenish College progress to the Quarter Finals of the Northern Ireland Cup
Having seen off the challenges of Ashfield Boys in the First Round, Edmund Rice College in the Second Round, Devenish College faced the formidable force of Belfast Metropolitan in the Third Round. Belfast ‘Met’ were firm favourites going into this fixture having dismissed their opponents in the previous rounds of competition with ease and Devenish were under no illusion as to the task facing them.
Devenish started the match in a confident manner and with more clinical finishing they could have been two goals up within the first 7 minutes. The first opportunity fell to striker Robbie Little who capitalised on a defensive error between the Belfast ‘Met’ central defender and goalkeeper but his delicate chip narrowly missed the target. Minutes later Matthew Woods headed over from a curling cross delivered by Charlie Mitten. However, during Belfast ‘Mets’ first attack Adam McDonald made a smart save from Lee McNulty whose deflection was superbly dealt with by McDonald.
Devenish continued to show scant respect for their illustrious opponents and Devenish’s next opportunity came when Joshua Mcllwaine chased a high ball which fell between him and the Belfast goalkeeper. Unfortunately Joshua’s bravery resulted in not only his header narrowly missing the goals but he received an extremely nasty facial injury which resulted in him leaving the action for treatment in hospital. (The extent of Joshua’s injury was later diagnosed as a fracture of his left cheek bone.)
Devenish had to re-arrange their formation with Craig Johnston replacing the injured Mcllwaine and Charlie Mitten moving to centre forward. This change allowed Belfast ‘Met’ to come more into the game but on the half hour Matthew Woods was first to react to a Jake Smith corner and squeezed the ball home past a static ‘Met’ defence. Neither side created any chances for the remained of the half with both defences in control.
Belfast ‘Met’ pushed on at the start of the second half and with only two minutes gone drew level. For once the Devenish defence failed to cut out a free kick on the right and their striker was left unmarked at the far post to head unchallenged past McDonald for the equaliser.
Undaunted by this set-back, Devenish pushed forward and were ahead again within three minutes. Jake Smith’s free kick was met by Clint Thompson whose powerful header was somehow saved by the Belfast ‘Met’ keeper but the ever alert Robbie Little made no mistake with a fine left footed volley from six yards. Belfast ‘Met’ now pressed hard for an equaliser and were on top for the remainder of the match, but they found the Devenish defence hard to break with Gareth Maguire, Matthew Woods, Lee McNulty, Jake Smith, Christopher Doherty and goalkeeper Adam McDonald outstanding. Up front Robbie Little worked tirelessly and despite a few scary moments in the final stages of the match, Devenish managed to hold on to gain an outstanding victory in a match which was refereed superbly by Michael Connolly.
Mr McFrederick, team coach, commented – ‘This was a great performance from the Devenish boys whose commitment and attitude throughout the competition has been excellent. They have brought great credit not only to Devenish College but to Fermanagh and Western Schools football. To reach the quarter finals of the Northern Ireland Umbro Senior Cup is an incredible achievement and they now look forward to meeting their next opponents, St Patrick’s Grammar School, Armagh which will be played in Mullusk on Wednesday, 8 February, 2012’.
Team – A McDonald; C Thompson; G Maguire; M Woods; L McNulty; J Smith, C Doherty; C Mitten; S Simms; R Little; J Mcllwaine. Subs – C Johnston; K Ogle; J Amos; M Cutler; S Harkin; H Little; S McCreery; G Fitzpatrick; N Bell; G Dykes; M Monaghan.
Recent Reports
NI SFA UMBRO SENIOR CUP - Thu 19 Jan
McKee Cup success - Wed 09 Mar
Boccia event - Mon 28 Feb
Royal Marines/Sport - Wed 15 Dec
Girls get new kit - Sat 11 Sep
Coarse Fishing - Fri 10 Sep
Jason shines at the Ulster finals - Mon 24 May
E District Athletics success - Mon 17 May
Ski trip - Tue 16 Mar
Fishing competition - Wed 24 Feb