Glyde repeat semi-final win over Emmets
DUNDALK Young Irelands held John Mitchels scoreless for the entire first half as they cruised into the quarter-finals of the Junior Football Championship on Sunday afternoon.
After a big win over Stabannon Parnells, the Dundalk men were hot favourites to advance to as group winners ahead of this clash and they duly obliged, albeit without quite scaling the heights of that openin-round win.
On a dreadful afternoon for championship football the eventual winners slowly turned the screw in the opening half and adjourned with a 0-9 to no score interval lead.
For their part Mitchels tried gallantly to hold off their more fancied opponents, but it was always going to be an uphill battle.
The Ballybailie outfit rallied well after the break and managed to ‘draw’ the second period matching their opponents five-point haul.
Kevin Gallagher (3), Robert Coyle and James Clarke gave the Mitchels a sliver of hope, but in truth the Irelanders were never going to allow themselves to be reeled back in.
It was to their credit, and that of ‘keeper David Anderson, that they kept prevented the Dundalk men from finding the net and will take heart from their overall display ahead of a winner-takes-all derby date with their neighbours Stabannon Parnells this weekend.
The winners of that clash will join Young Irelands in the last eight, while a draw would suffice for Mitchels due to their superior score difference. DUNDALK YOUNG IRELANDS: Fergal Sheeky; Peter McCourt, Ciaran Murray, Stephen Bellew; Peter Nixon, Derek Maguire 0-2, Cian O Naraigh 0-1; Derek Rogers, Aidan Sheeky 0-2; Aaron Murray 0-1, Dean Maguire 0-1, Peter McStravick 0-1; Jordan O’Donoghue 0-4, Mark Savage, Cian O’Donoghue 0-2. Sub: Alan Minto for P Nixon.
JOHN MITCHELS: David Anderson; Mitchell Keenan, Emmet Farrell, Alan Mackin; Barry Kirk, Trevor Matthews, Anthony Coyle; Kevin Gallagher 0-3, James Clarke 0-1; Ben O’Brien, Sean Sweeney, Richie McGuinness; John Gallagher, Robert Coyle 0-1, John Devitt. Sub: Donal Rahill for J Gallagher. Anglo Printers JFC Group B 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 Anglo Printers JFC Group C 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 FIVE-STAR Westerns cruised into the quarter-finals of the junior championship as group winners, but they were pushed a lot harder by Wolfe Tones than their opening-round stroll against Cuchulainn Gaels. 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
Louth midfielder Tommy Durnin played a starring role, netting a hattrick for the Reaghstown outfit, and they needed all of the five goals they plundered to see off a stiff challenge from the Drogheda outfit.
Tones league form this season suggested they could make an impact in the championship this term and they’ll be targeting a quarter-final spit when they take on the Gaels this weekend. 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
Ciarán Campbell and Conor Kerr were also on target for the Tones while the impressive Chris Cudden netted two first-half majors for the Drogheda men.
The result was in the balance right to the end, but Westerns produced a strong finish to take the win and a quarter-final berth.
Tones can join them there with a victory over Omeath. 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. WESTERNS: Damien Boylan; Michael Martin, Stephen Boylan, Andrew Murray; Colin Martin, Dylan Ogle, Seán McGuinness; Tommy Durnin 3-1, Anthony Durnin 0-1; Jack Ogle 0-3, Johnny Lynch Trevor Baylon 0-3; Patrick Kerley, Conor Kerr 1-0, Ciarán Campbell 1-1. Sub: Liam Hoey for P Kerley.
WOLFE TONES: Chris Eustace; Adam Gartland, Graham Fanning, Alan Fanning; Eoghan O’Shea 0-1, Mark Healy 0-1, Marc Lugoye 0-1; Dean Haggins 0-1, John Kelly; Sam Kelly 0-2, Niall Smith 0-3, Darren Weldon; Jamie McCormack 0-2, Michael Rafferty, Chris Cudden 2-1. Subs: Reese Owens for A Fanning, Garrett Cooney 0-1 for M Rafferty, Patrick Fanning for A Gartland.
REFEREE: Paul Kneel.