Credit:
Salthill Devon -v- Athlone Town
- Extratime Team
- Sat, Mar 06 2010
Newly promoted Salthill Devon begin life in the Airtricity First Division on Saturday night when they welcome Athlone Town to Drom. (kick-off 7pm).
On the back of a successful stint in the Newstalk A Championship in 2009, Salthill Devon have managed the unlikely feat of becoming the second Galway club to be promoted to the Airtricity League in as many years.
Despite falling to Shamrock Rovers at the final hurdle, Devon merited their promotion, which came in stark contrast to their last-place finish in the Championship in 2008.
In the close season, manager Emlyn Long has added Conor Hoctor (Galway Bohemians), Mike Kennedy (MacDara), Shane Stenson (Ornamore) and John McGrath (Oranbay) to his young squad.
Athlone Town manager, Brendan Place has also been busy, bringing in over 15 new players to his team. Experienced campaigners such as Chris Bennion, Stephen Caffrey and Brian McCarthy are balanced out with a number of Junior league stars such as Gordon Watson, Gareth Kenna and tricky winger Richie O’Hanlon who signed from Crumlin United.
Speaking about this weekend’s game Brendan Place said “We have a bit of previous experience of this sort of thing, having played Mervue United in their first ever League of Ireland match last season. That was a tough match and we expect the same on Saturday,”
“We played Salthill Devon towards the end of last season and beat them comfortably, but I wouldn’t put any importance on that. They will be well up for this game and we need as a team to go about our business in the right manner”.
Commenting on his squad he said “I think we’ve added some much-needed experience and know-how in key areas”.
Brendan Place will have injury worries to start the season with Stephen Caffrey, Robbie Benson and Tom O’Halloran struggling through injury while new signing David Bracken will definitely miss out with a knee injury.
Venue: Drom, Galway
Referee: J. McKell
Paddypower.com odds: Salthill Devon 5/2, Athlone Town 10/11, Draw 11/5
Salthill Devon:
Injured: Unknown
Doubtful: Unknown.
Suspended: None.
Athlone Town:
Injured: David Bracken.
Doubtful: Stephen Caffrey, Robbie Benson, Tom O’Halloran.
Suspended: Niall O’Reilly
Extratime.ie prediction: A 1-1 draw.
