Dawson Devoy making a big impact at Dalymount Park

Not too many students waiting for their Leaving Certificate results this year would have had the distraction of travelling to Hungary as a member of the Bohemian FC first-team squad for a Europa League tie against top side Fehervar (previously known as Videoton).

That was the fate of Meath teenager and former Ashbourne Community School student Dawson Devoy who had the satisfaction of getting those Leaving Certificate results two weeks ago.

Against Fehervar, Devoy was introduced as a second-half substitute and featured prominently as the game went to extra-time after finishing 1-1.

The Dubliners took the lead in the game and were ahead in the penalty shoot-out before the hosts recovered and won by 4-2 in what was a heartbreaking result for the young Meath man and his colleagues.

Last Thursday Ferervar advanced to the third round with a 1-0 away win against a team from Malta and that earned a tie against French side Reims.

Devoy wasn't experiencing Europe for the first time in Hungary as the now 18-year-old had featured for the Dalymount Park-based club in the UEFA Youth League for the u-19s last season.

For Devoy and his Bohemian FC colleagues there was a trip to Sligo last Friday night where the draw for the quarter-final of the FAI Cup was also completed.

That gave the Dublin side a home tie against Dundalk where Devoy could face another top Meath player in the League of Ireland, Bohermeen man Gary Rogers.

At the Showgrounds on Friday night Devoy played a major part in the 1-0 victory.

He made the opening for the only goal late in the second-half with some excellent skill in the opposition penalty area in a game that was live on RTE 2.

The victory got Bohemian FC back on the winning track after a couple of disappointing league results and consolidated second position as they push for a place in Europe again for 2021. Devoy enjoyed his 90 minutes at the Showgrounds and it certainly provided some compensation for the European exit.

"Europe was brilliant to be involved in although it still hurts to have come so close, losing on penalties," he commented looking forward to the visit of Derry City to Dalymount this Friday evening, 7.45pm.

"There was a great buzz about training as the game against Fehervar approached.

"Okay, it wasn't a typical experience, it was a bit surreal as there was no crowd and only one leg, so the supporters didn't get their away day.

"But there was nothing we could do about that and we just gave it a real go.

"The stadium was beautiful and it was brilliant to pit ourselves against such a good side full of international players.

"We nearly did it and we were proud of how we played against a team ranked so far ahead of us.

"The lads put in a serious shift in intense heat.

"Despite the disappointment at the end I will always remember the game and how it felt to represent the club in the Europa League.

"It is such valuable experience and certainly makes us all the more determined to be involved in Europe next season too,” he added.

The Ashbourne native will be 19 in November and played under-age football with Home Farm and St Kevin's Boys before making the step up at Dalymount where he starred for the u-17 team.

Progress was rapid and he graduated to the u-19 side and from there to a first team debut off the bench at Belfield against UCD a little over 12 months ago after he returned from a stint in England with Watford.

After impressing with Bohs u-17s, he went over to Watford at 16, but admits now that it was too soon for him and that he didn't do himself justice.

He returned to Ireland and to school in Ashbourne to complete his Leaving Certificate.

“I was too young really when I went to Watford, looking back, I can't say it was the wrong decision to go as it is a chance any young lad would want to get," he suggested.

"I learned a lot in a short period of time, but I felt it wasn't right for me and I decided to come home.

"When I came back Bohs were good to me and integrated me into the u-17 team again straight away and I progressed from there.

“It was a dream really this season, I had no idea that I was anywhere near the first team.

"I was happy enough to be training with the first team occasionally and I trusted the manager (Keith Long) when he told me I was doing well.

"The advice was to keep plugging away and that my chance would come, I just didn't think it would arrive as soon as it did.

"It was a fantastic experience against UCD when I made my debut, I had a couple of chances and I was disappointed not to score.

"The more experienced players were really good to me, so encouraging and helpful.

"You have no idea how much that means to any young player, to have the established guys looking out for you," he added.

The Meath teenager has ambitions to make an impact in the game and would relish another opportunity in England.

"I know I have to work hard here and do the business first, this season my aim is to play as many games as I can," he said.

"We want to win things, we know we have the players good enough to do it, you have to believe in yourself and have the confidence to go out and play the way you can.

"All we can do is push on and accumulate as many points as possible, we got three points in Sligo last Friday night.

"Another three points this weekend is the next target and see where that leads us,” he concluded.

This article appeared in the print edition of the Meath Chroicle dated Saturday 26th September courtesy of Tony Magner

THIS WEEKEND'S PREMIER DIVISION ACTION

FRIDAY

Bohemians v Derry City, Dalymount Park, 7.45pm

SATURDAY

Waterford v Sligo Rovers, Regional Sports Centre, 5pm

St. Patrick's Athletic v Shelbourne, Richmond Park, 7.30pm

SUNDAY

Finn Harps v Cork City, Finn Park, 5pm

Dundalk v Shamrock Rovers, Oriel Park, 7.30pm