Northern Ireland goalscorers against Luxembourg - Justin Devenny, Shea Charles and Jamie Reid
Justin Devenny celebrates scoring Northern Ireland's third goal in Luxembourg
Justin Devenny celebrates scoring Northern Ireland's third goal in Luxembourg
Northern Ireland goalscorers against Luxembourg - Justin Devenny, Shea Charles and Jamie Reid
Northern Ireland goalscorers against Luxembourg - Justin Devenny, Shea Charles and Jamie Reid
Justin Devenny celebrates scoring Northern Ireland's third goal in Luxembourg
thumbnail: Justin Devenny celebrates scoring Northern Ireland's third goal in Luxembourg
Steven Beacom in Luxembourg
thumbnail: Northern Ireland goalscorers against Luxembourg - Justin Devenny, Shea Charles and Jamie Reid
thumbnail: Northern Ireland goalscorers against Luxembourg - Justin Devenny, Shea Charles and Jamie Reid
Justin Devenny says he is ‘living the dream’ after scoring his first goal for Northern Ireland to follow up winning the FA Cup and then becoming a Community Shield Wembley hero for Crystal Palace when his penalty won the shoot-out against Liverpool.
The Eagles star is soaring right now and described his strike in Thursday’s 3-1 victory in Luxembourg in the World Cup opener as ‘a special moment’ hoping there will be more to come.
Devenny’s second half strike came after efforts from Jamie Reid and Shea Charles and sealed the points for Michael O’Neill’s men sending them into Sunday’s clash in Germany in buoyant mood.
The goal continues an incredible run for the 21-year-old.
In May, Devenny was on the bench as Palace shocked Manchester City to win the FA Cup.
In August the ex-Airdrie player's superb spot-kick won the London outfit the Community Shield against Premier League champions Liverpool at Wembley on penalties.
And now in September he has grabbed goal number one for his country having hit the bar with a cracking free-kick earlier on against Luxembourg.
Filled with desire to keep delivering, Devenny told the Belfast Telegraph: “I’m living the dream. For me my mindset is what can I accomplish next. For me there will be many more opportunities this season.
“We have exciting times ahead for Northern Ireland and at club level as well. I’m really looking forward to the season and hopefully will get more opportunities to create more.”
Justin Devenny
Justin Devenny
On his goal which came when the visitors were leading 2-1 and Luxembourg had just been reduced to 10 men, the Palace star added: “It was a special moment. It was my first one (at international level). That feeling when the fans start to celebrate is so special.
“I went close before in the game so scoring when I did was fantastic and hopefully there will be many more to come.”
Next up comes Germany in Cologne on Sunday with the home side desperate to bounce back from a stunning 2-0 loss in Slovakia on Thursday evening.
“It was great to win in Luxembourg and a great way to start the campaign and build momentum,” stated the classy Devenny.
“This game is done now and we need to focus on the next one. Germany are a great side but we believe we have a lot of quality in there and even from the Luxembourg game there are more levels to our game and we can go and show that.”
Asked if he feels he can use his experience of playing in big Premier League games and in Europe for Palace against Germany, Devenny said: “Absolutely. I’m playing against top opposition and the best players in the world week in week out.
“For me I’ll almost be familiar with that experience but it will be tough and we will need to dig in at times and they will have a point to prove with their result (against Slovakia). Again for us we will be looking to build on what we have done.”
On playing on a more regular basis for the FA Cup winners this term, Devenny commented: “That’s down to me. I will continue to work hard. There are exciting times at Palace. We have such a great squad and there is such ambition around the club. For me it is about being part of that and doing all I can in training and when I get my chance I need to grab it with both hands."
Playing in a left wing back role for O'Neill and Northern Ireland, Devenny certainly grabbed his opportunity in Luxembourg.