Latest news with #Devenny
Belfast Telegraph
3 days ago
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
Justin Devenny excited to try and nail down new position with Northern Ireland
The 21-year-old was on the bench that day but, having played a significant part in the earlier rounds for the Eagles, he deserved to celebrate like the rest of his jubilant team-mates. Fast forward to Saturday night in Copenhagen and the midfielder was putting in a serious shift in a left-wing-back type role for Northern Ireland in their 2-1 friendly defeat to Denmark. The position may have been relatively new to him but Devenny was one of Michael O'Neill's most impressive performers, creating an early goal when Pierre-Emile Højbjerg scored into his own net in the sixth minute. The lead would last until first half injury time when Gustav Isaksen finished superbly, with Danish skipper Christian Eriksen netting the winner after the break as the home side piled on the pressure. Devenny admitted it was tough going at times but he revelled in the experience of the atmospheric Parken. 'It was a new position for me but I enjoyed it, and wherever I play for the team I'm willing to do a shift,' he said. 'The first 45 was probably better than the second 45. There is a lot to learn, especially in a new position, but we'll be ready to take on information, watch the game back and see where we can improve.' Huddersfield's Brodie Spencer has occupied the left side in recent games. In Devenny's three previous internationals he was in the middle of the park but revealed he had been working on a potential new role in the build-up to the Denmark game. 'It was maybe the second day in camp that Michael told me he was thinking of playing me there and we did a few bits and bobs in training,' said Devenny. 'I thought I did well and then when he told me I'd be starting out I tried to understand the position a bit more. To be fair, I'm familiar with it from Palace as well. I know the roles and responsibilities of it and it's just putting that into place. 'I enjoy it. It is a different experience for me. There's probably a bit more high speed running. 'I was able to get on the ball against Denmark and try to understand the runs from my team-mates and try to pick them out. I thought first half I did well and in the second half there was a lot of work off the ball, but you have to be prepared to do that in international football.' Influential people at Palace like Devenny's mentality. He has brought it with him to international level. 'When they scored (to make it 2-1) we should maybe have shown a bit more belief to try and get the upper hand again rather than soaking up pressure, though there were positives to take as well.' One was the goal, which was very much down to him reading a pass from a Danish player and intercepting it. Then he drove into the box, with his cross causing havoc. 'That's a big part of being a full-back in this team. You have to be aggressive when there is a chance to win the ball,' he said. 'I saw what was happening with their pass and took off and intercepted it. I then saw the goal and was going to shoot but squared it across and thankfully it went in.' Ultimately, Denmark would come back and secure a deserved victory on a night when Northern Ireland worked extremely hard off the ball but weren't good enough on it. To a man, every player post match admitted that was an area that they needed to improve on. Devenny made the point, though, that games like the one in Denmark can benefit O'Neill's young guns when the World Cup qualifiers begin with a double-header in September away to Luxembourg and Germany. 'Absolutely. It is getting that team togetherness knowing the way we play,' said Devenny. 'This is my third camp and it's about understanding the players I'm playing with, especially against tough opposition like Denmark. It's a great learning experience. I think that builds momentum into the big games. 'When you are a kid, one of the main things you think of is playing in the World Cup. We have got that chance to try and do that. Me and all the boys are ready for that and buzzing about it.' A quality player, Devenny is a good talker too. Born in Scotland, it is their loss and Northern Ireland's gain that he has thrown his lot in with O'Neill's youthful squad, with the former Airdrie ace eligible through his mum. 'Northern Ireland showed trust in me and since I've come in, that's my fourth game. The lads are brilliant and the coaching staff are brilliant. I want to learn and improve and I'm loving it," he points out. Next should come a first Windsor Park start against Iceland on Tuesday. 'I haven't started at Windsor yet. I came on against Switzerland (in March), so hopefully I'll get a start. It's a special atmosphere and the fans are great, so I can't wait for that,' says Devenny. Mention the FA Cup Final triumph over City and his face lights up. 'Now it has probably sunk in but at the time I was in shock,' he states. 'It was such a big achievement at such a young age. I'll probably look back on my career in times to come and think of that day. It was special, and to do it with a special group of boys was great.'
Daily Record
19-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Crystal Palace ace picks up FA Cup winners' medal just three years after Kilmarnock release
Just two years after playing in the Scottish third tier, Justin Devenny was lifting the FA Cup Just two years after playing in the third tier of Scottish football, Irvine footballer Justin Devenny is an FA Cup winner. The Northern Ireland international's remarkable rise saw him lift one of the most famous trophies in world football as Crystal Palace caused a major shock by defeating Manchester City 1-0 in the final at Wembley. It's a staggering rise for Devenny, who was released by Kilmarnock three years ago and playing for Airdrieonians just two seasons ago. He was an unused substitute for the Eagles - but that didn't stop him from joining in the celebrations and he picked up a winners' medal. The 21-year-old has risen through the ranks at Palace, having initially joined the club's under-21 squad. But he's proven he can handle first team opportunities in the English Premier League, tallying 26 appearances and two goals this term. And his rapid rise is set to continue next season as he eyes European football as Palace make their Europa League debut.
Yahoo
10-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Palace sink Doncaster to book clash with rivals Millwall
Crystal Palace booked an FA Cup fifth round clash with south London rivals Millwall after a 2-0 win against fourth tier Doncaster on Monday. Oliver Glasner's side avoided a potential fourth round upset at the Eco-Power Stadium as Daniel Munoz netted in the first half before Justin Devenny struck after the interval. Palace will play second tier Millwall in the last 16 after the Lions won 2-0 at Championship leaders Leeds on Saturday. It is the second time in three years that Palace have faced their hated neighbours in the FA Cup, with the Eagles winning 2-1 at The Den in the third round in 2022. The local derby offers Palace forward Romain Esse a reunion with his former club after his £12 million ($14 million) move from Millwall to Selhurst Park in January. Palace, who finished as FA Cup runners-up in 2016 and 1990, are 12th in the Premier League and were beaten by Arsenal in the League Cup quarter-finals earlier this season. The Eagles won 2-0 at Doncaster in the FA Cup fifth round six years ago and they repeated the scoreline on their latest visit. Doncaster, currently third in League Two, kicked off as the lowest ranked team left in the FA Cup. Grant McCann's team threatened an early opener when Billy Sharp picked out Ethan Ennis in the penalty area, but his shot lacked the power to beat Palace keeper Matt Turner. Palace struggled to find any rhythm in the opening stages, but their superior quality finally shone through in the 31st minute. Daichi Kamada's clever free-kick found Jean-Philippe Mateta beside the Doncaster wall and he fired against the post before Munoz tapped in the deflected rebound. Kamada tested Doncaster keeper Teddy Sharman-Lowe with a long-range blast as Palace hit their stride. Luke Molyneux, with 13 goals for Doncaster this season, nearly added to his tally as he cut in from the right flank and drilled just wide. England left-back Ben Chilwell came on for his Palace debut at half-time following his loan move from Chelsea last week. Devenny squandered a golden opportunity to double Palace's lead when he blazed wide from Mateta's pass. But the 21-year-old midfielder made amends to kill off Doncaster in the 55th minute. Will Hughes's superb lofted pass sent Devenny scampering clear on goal and he guided a delicate chip over Sharman-Lowe from 12 yards. smg/ea
