Defeat sends Glyde Rangers down

OLIVER PLUNKETTS GLYDE RANGERS 2-8 0-12 ST JOSEPHS NA PIARSAIGH

GLYDE Rangers’ relegation was confirmed as they succumbed to their ninth defeat in ten matches in what has been a disappointing campaign for the Tallanstown men. The Plunketts built their victory on two early first half goals leaving Glyde playing catch-up throughout the whole match.

Glyde took the lead early on with points from Trevor O’Brien and Niall Sharkey but two sloppy mistakes in defence led to the concession of two goals with Emmet Kelleher and Sean Callaghan profiting for the Plunketts after high balls caused panic in the Tallanstown defence.

Both sides traded points for the remainder of the half leaving the half time scoreboard reading 2-4 to 0-6 in favour of the Drogheda side.

The Plunketts maintained that four point lead for much of the second half with Trevor Walsh keeping their scoreboard ticking over. A late rally from Glyde saw Trevor O’Brien score his fourth and fifth points of the day to ensure a nervy ending for the Plunketts but unfortunately for the Tallanstown side they could not find the goal they needed meaning they will be playing Division Three football next season. ST Joseph’s moved in to fourth place in Division 2 after a comprehensive victory over Na Piarsaigh in Cluskey Park on Friday evening.

Starting the day in sixth place the Joes victory saw them leapfrog the Young Irelands and Hunterstown who were beaten on the same night.

Na Piarsaigh’s loss mean they face a nervy final day where they could be dragged into the relegation play-off depending on results.

It was the Dundalk side who opened the scoring with a Michael Woods point in the first minute and things got better midway through the half as Niall Franklin popped up to score a goal which put the visitors 1-2 to 0-3 ahead.

The lead didn’t last too long however as straight from the kick out an attack from St Josephs resulted in corner forward Derek Mulligan finding the back of the Naps net.

A further goal in the 23rd minute from lively corner forward