Glyde repeat semi-final win over Emmets
GLYDE Rangers held off a determined comeback from Roche Emmets in their opening game of the Louth Junior championship in Louth Village on Friday night.
Although they had a game and a win under their belts a week previous, the Faughart men got off to a sluggish start and it would eventually lead to their downfall.
Runners up in last year’s Junior final, Glyde look a sure thing to be in the mix again with Niall Sharkey on form and Gareth Moran returning to the club. The latter’s driving runs and leadership were central to Tallanstown’s victory.
Despite starting the game without their first choice midfield pairing Brian Duffy and Ciaráin Sheridan, Mark Gilsenan’s side adapted and sprung veteran David Devaney from the bench , forcing Dion Conlon to switch into midfield.
The alterations worked a treat and Glyde shot into an early 1-3 to no score lead after six minutes on the back on a sustained pressure on Roche’s kick outs.
Sharkey was particularly dominant from open play in this period, punching over the first score of the game and finishing a sweeping move to the net after Trevor O’Brien and Gareth Moran pointed.
Wily veteran Kevin Callaghan responded to give his side some respite but Glyde’s inside trio were causing havoc. Moran and O’Brien struck the upright in one move alone.
Sharkey added a free before O’Brien was hacked down by Liam Rice for a penalty, after which both men would leave the play. O’Brien injured and Rice taken off, Sharkey duly finished with confidence and sent them on their way.
Impressive Moran curled over after Paul Noone drove up the field before Sharkey boomed over long range free. It would be their last score from over a quarter of an hour as Roche surged into the game culminating in a run of nine unanswered scores either side of the break.
Roche ended the half with three frees before half time to make it 2-6 to 0-4. Callaghan (two) and one from the unusually quiet Barry O’Hare who was well marshalled by Conor McCullagh.
Inspired by Niall Callan’s dressing rooms words, that scoring run extended, Roche manager Callan also switched Eugene Murray in the middle of the field and Daniel O’Connell also surged into the game as they set about a period of midfield dominance themselves.
O’Hare (frees) and O’Connell combined for a brace each. David Quigley took the game by the scruff of the neck and wing back Conor Carthy drove forward allowing O’Hare to add to his tally.
With the lead now down to two points, Aaron Devlin allowed Glyde to sigh with relief with a poachers goal after Ciaráin Sheridan crashed a shot off the crossbar shortly after his much needed introduction.
The goal was enough to push the game beyond the honest Roche side who will lament their poor first half.
Although O’Hare and Callaghan did manage four between in the run in, Moran capped a fine display with sublime effort and Sheridan landed a free in between to edge Mark Gilsenan’s side over the line and put one foot in the quarter finals.
Roche are already there, despite this defeat, but it’s likely to be as group runners up, as Glyde will be hot favourites to dispose of Dowdallshill this weekend to take top spot.
If they do, both sides would relish the possibility of a re-match later on in the summer.
GLYDE RANGERS: David Brennan; Conor McCullaugh, Céin Sheridan, Gerard Farrell; Mark O’Brien, Paul Noone, Fiachra Sheridan; Dion Conlon, David Devanny; Aaron Devlin 1-0, Conor Sheridan, Alan Brennan; Niall Sharkey 2-3 (1-0 pen, 2f), Gareth Moran 0-3 (1f), Trevor O’Brien 0-1. Subs: Niall Bird for T O’Brien (17), Ciaráin Sheridan 0-1(1f) for N Bird (39 ) Peter Brennan for A Brennan (61 )
ROCHE EMMETS: Sean O’Hare;Liam Dawe, Liam Carthy, Liam Rice; Conor Carthy, David Quigley, Shane Byrne; Dan O’Connell 0-2, Enda Murphy 0-1; David O’Connell, Kevin Callaghan 0-5 (4f), Niall McArdle; Cathal Byrne, Eugene Murray, Barry O’Hare 0-6 (5f). Subs: Dermot Carthy for L Rice (17), Joe Bishop for C Byrne (48 ), Paddy Quigley for David O’Connell (49 )
REFEREE: Colm McCullough.