Deveraux Hero as Castleview Snatch Dramatic Last-Minute Victory over Village United. Blast from the Past.

Blast from the Past - October 2003

Deveraux Hero as Castleview Snatch Dramatic Last-Minute Victory over Village United. 

Picture (left): Referee Damien O'Mahony has a good view as Brian Sheehan tries the overhead route; John Sexton not looking!.

Castleview take the points

Castleview 1 Village United 0

Castleview left it late to secure a dramatic 1-0 victory over Village United in a tense Murphy's Stout AUL Premier A encounter at O'Sullivan Park. Substitute David Deveraux emerged as the unlikely hero, tapping home in injury time to snatch all three points for the home side.

Village Utd

Frustration Reigns as Chances Go Begging

Despite controlling much of the game, Castleview struggled to convert their dominance into goals. The ever-lively Shane Brady and midfielder Terry Furlong were guilty of squandering several opportunities in the first half. Furlong, in particular, saw a first-half brace slip through his fingers, failing to find the net with a chipped effort over the advancing Village keeper Jamie Donovan and then blazing another shot over the bar.

Village ace Jinty O'Sullivan  outfoxes Jamie Bolger. 

Village weren't without their chances either. Brian Sheehan threatened on the break, forcing a diving save from Kevin O'Riordan just past the half-hour mark. Incredibly, O'Riordan nearly gifted Village a goal just before halftime, but Sheehan fluffed his lines from close range.

Deveraux the Hero as Castleview Break the Deadlock

The second half continued in a similar vein, with both sides cancelling each other out. The strong winds at O'Sullivan Park continued to disrupt play, making it difficult for either side to string together flowing passages.

Village player Alan O'Brien (right) clears past Tony Hackett.

As the clock ticked towards injury time, it seemed a scoreless draw was inevitable. However, drama unfolded in the dying moments. A pacy through ball found Brady, who chased it down relentlessly. A defender's challenge and a slightly hesitant advance from Donovan left the ball loose in the box. Cue Deveraux, who arrived at the perfect moment to smash the ball into the empty net and send the Castleview faithful into raptures.

Village player Jonny Cooney (left) against Steve O'Connell. 

Castleview Manager Delighted Despite "Robbery"

Castleview manager Martin "Nipper" Meehan, clearly thrilled with the result, admitted to a touch of larceny. "We probably snuck it," he conceded with a grin, "but the lads put in a real shift. The back four, particularly Anthony Donovan and John Sexton, were outstanding."

Though the ’View probably had more of the chances, Village keeper Jamie Donovan and his defence will feel robbed, particularly because the steal came so late, more particularly because the burglary could well have been prevented with a little more in the way of neighbourhood watch. 

Castleview’s Jamie Bolger first to the ball.

Another dramatic encounter from over twenty years ago provides a reminder that local football can be a rollercoaster of emotions, with late goals adding a sprinkle of magic to the beautiful game. 

Castleview: Kevin O'Riordan, Brian Murphy, Anthony Donovan, John Sexton, Steven O’Connell, Terry Furlong, Roy O'Sullivan, Deccie Sheehan, Jamie Bolger, Kevin Garvey and Shane Brady. Subs: Tony Hackett for O'Sullivan (82^nd minute), Glen McCarthy and David Deveraux for Murphy and Garvey (both 84^th).

Village United: Jamie Donovan, Denis Long, Leslie Kepple, Conor Jones, David Quirke, Jinty O'Sullivan, Conan Burns, Alan O’Brien, Brian Sheehan, Richard Burns and Jonathan Cooney. Subs: Terry Lotty for C. Burns (65^th minute), Wayne Rogers for Kepple (81^st) and Kevin McGee for R. Burns (84^th).

Referee: Damien O'Mahony.

Richard Burns (Village) under pressure from two Castleview players. 

Superb Village keeper Jamie
Donovan makes a fine catch