Despite being forced to play two games in two days, NUIG put in an impressive performance at Drom on Sunday morning to pick up much needed league points.
The students started the brighter and Mikey Creane had a shot well saved by Mike Forde, before they took the lead as early as the 10th minute. The home defence was all at sea as a clever through ball found player manager Tom French, who finished well past Forde.
Despite being outplayed, Salthill Devon were handed a chance to draw level when the ref pointed to the spot on the half hour. It was for a hand ball offence in the area that the students strongly refuted.
However Noel Tyrell’s spot kick was poorly struck and John Burke saved easily.
As the break approached Devon pushed hard for the equaliser. Rossa Mullins had a well struck shot from distance saved by Burke, before Paul Fitzpatrick could only find the side netting with a volley from a Brian Naughton cross.
They were made to pay for these missed opportunities when NUIG doubled their lead on the stroke of half time. Dave Cooke worked a short corner to Mikey Creane and his pinpoint cross found Tom French unmarked at the back post and he headed home.
The home side had a great chance to reduce the lead early in the second half as a Ronan Silke corner found the head of Shane Cox but he somehow missed from point blank range.
A mistake by ‘keeper Forde nearly let NUIG in for a third goal when his clearance was blocked and when the ball was worked to Mikey Creane, he shot just over.
Midway through the half the result was put beyond doubt when NUIG notched a deserved third. Impressive substitute Derek Flaherty struck the underside of the crossbar with a 25-yard free kick but Tristan Ryder was on hand to head home the rebound.
The away side kept pushing and Mike Forde was forced to make two outstanding saves in quick succession. The elusive Mikey Creane let fly from out on the left wing and Forde had to go full length to push the ball away. The rebound was picked up by Flaherty and once again Forde was superb, tipping the shot over the bar.
Having lost away to Dynamo Blues on Saturday, NUIG bounced back well less than 24 hours later. Their early season performances haven’t always earned the results they deserved but this was rectified in style on Sunday.
Salthill Devon, on the other hand, continue to struggle. They now sit only four points ahead of their conquerors who have three games with which to make up the deficit. On this occasion they showed little creativity going forward and team spirit was badly lacking.
Salthill Devon: Mike Forde, Rossa Mullins, Paul Fitzpatrick, Alan McGee, Brian Naughton, Ronan Silke, Shane Cox, Ruaidhri McTiernan, Noel Tyrrell, Ronan Gilligan, Conor Killeen. Subs used: Enda Cullen for Brian Naughton, Rueben Gonzalez, Tadgh Manning.
NUIG: John Burke, Eoin O Loughlin, Donal McCann, John Hynes, Eoin Murphy, Tristan Ryder, Dave Cooke, Rory Bluett, Mikey Creane, Richie Byrne, Tom French. Subs used: Will Geoghegan for Rory Bluett(inj ), Derek Flaherty for Richie Byrne, Paul McDaid for Tom French.
