Keeping the Ashbourne flag flying at Dalymount
Dawson Devoy got a taste for the Europa League last year with Bohemian FC and the taste was so sweet that the Ashbourne youngster can’t wait for this season’s Europa League qualifiers to come around again later this year writes BRENDAN GRAHAM
The new League of Ireland season kicks-off on Friday with two games, Shamrock Rovers against St Pat's, and First Division champions Drogheda Utd taking on against Waterford while Bohemians face a tricky trip to Donegal to face Finn Harps in their season opener on Saturday.
Devoy joined the Bohemians u-17s from Dublin schoolboy club St Kevin’s in March 2018 and had fans in the stands excited from day one.
He progressed from there to the club’s u-19 side featuring in the UEFA Youth League in 2019 and last season made his senior breakthrough with promotion to the senior side coming with a healthy amount of league minutes and most notably a solid performance on the European stage.
The Jodi Stand faithful know they have a hugely talented player on their books and Devoy himself can’t wait for the new season to start and for the side to be reunited with the fans.
“Yes, we are well back into the swing of things,” he told the Meath Chronicle ahead of their season opener.
“It’s almost normal now looking ahead to the league behind closed doors and without fans, if that makes sense.
"It took a while to get used to the empty stadium and to adapt to it if I’m honest.
"When you are so used to the noise and atmosphere it is strange, but it is what it is for now and we are ready to go.
"We are really looking forward to another season, but we can’t wait to get the fans back behind us and cheering us on in Dalymount Park again.
"Hopefully it won’t be too far away because a packed Jodi Stand is incredible to play in front of.
"That's the way I would have it every day of the week ahead of no crowd if I had the choice,” he added.
After such a fantastic season personally last year what would success look like for Devoy in 2021?
“Personally, it was a great season and a special one," he remarked.
"Breaking through to the first team was special and backing that up by getting plenty of minutes on the pitch is something I am very happy with.
"I’ll be looking to really push on for myself this season again, to get more time on the pitch and to score my first senior goal for the club," he concluded.
With Keith Long and Trevor Croly known for placing their belief and trust in young players around the club in recent years you can be sure Dawson Devoy will achieve his goal of more minutes on the pitch this season and maybe even a goal or two as well.