Former Lancer standouts go pro in Europe

Published 3:07 pm Tuesday, August 14, 2018

Former Longwood University center back Tom Devitt and midfielder Eoin O Donovan have signed professional contracts to begin their soccer careers in Europe.

“We at Longwood are thrilled that Eoin and Tom have found a path to get their respective professional careers up and running,” said Longwood Men’s Soccer Head Coach Jon Atkinson, who brought in both Devitt and O Donovan as part of his 2016 signing class.

Devitt, who anchored Longwood’s backfield and earned All-Big South second team honors as a senior, signed with English National League side Gateshead Football Club — a club playing in the fifth division of the English Football League. That pro contract followed a two-year career in which Devitt started every game for the Lancers. He served as team captain and played a team-high 1,673 minutes as a senior, playing all but 10 minutes of the season. His work on Longwood’s back line helped the Lancers amass 11 one-goal games and allow more than two goals on just three occasions throughout the season.

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“Tom didn’t have far to travel to his new club, and I’m sure he’ll work up the ladder in his profession and be a success as he has all the tools at hand,” Atkinson said.

Meanwhile, O Donovan begins his career with the FC Bruno’s Magpies, joining the Gibraltar Second Division team. FC Bruno’s are a club that was founded in 2013 and finished third last season in the Gibraltar Second Division. During his time at Longwood, O Donovan scored three goals and dished two assists for eight points in 35 matches played and 25 starts. He produced two three-point games, including one in his first career Longwood appearance at Virginia Military Institute (VMI) to begin the 2016 season.

“Eoin has landed himself a nice gig in Gibraltar which will not only give him a platform but a phenomenal life experience to boot,” Atkinson said.

Devitt and O Donovan were part of a 10-member senior class for the Lancers in 2017.

Atkinson and the Lancers have reloaded with a 19-member incoming class, which joined the program for preseason camp beginning last week and will make its debut in a Lancer uniform Friday, Aug. 24, at VMI. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. in Lexington.