Slick Glyde in cruise control
GLYDE RANGERS NAOMH MAIRTIN 1-18 0-8
GLYDE scored a comfortable victory against Naomh Mairtin without having to really break into full stride. Despite conceding the first score to Nicky McDonnell after only a minute, Glyde were dominant through the field, although like the match against Roche last week were not entirely lethal when it came to score taking. That said, Trevor O’Brien finished the game with five points and Brian Duffy with four, both playing in the full forward line.
Ciaran Sheridan scored Glyde’s only goal from the penalty spot after eight minutes of the first half after the Martins keeper pulled down Dion Conlon. Glyde eased their way into a comfortable lead by half time, 1-11 to 0-3, with Niall Sharkey grabbing two from wing back, as he constantly plundered at a pace the Martins defence could not handle. Alan Brennan was also linking up well and laying off some great attacking passes.
The second half was a foregone conclusion and although the Martins showed a bit more adventure. Glyde never really got going and as both teams emptied their bench, the game lost a lot of its shape.
Dion Conlon constantly probed the Martins defence and was unlucky to hit the post late on and Conor Sheridan was always a threat, linking up with Duffy to be the seventh Glyde player to score in the game. In truth the defence were never seriously tested but Fiachra Sheridan and Gerard Farrell were always in control in the corner back slots.
Glyde will have tougher tasks ahead, especially the local derby against Westerns next Friday evening and although Bannisteoir Mark Gilsenan will be satisfied to have got the win, he will know there will be more to do in that game. JOHN Mitchels held off a strong Dowdallshill revival to score a vital one-point victory at Ballybailie on Sunday afternoon.
Although Aidan McCabe scored an impressive 1-8 for the second Sunday in a row on this occasion it was not to be enough for the Dundalk team.
The home side got off to the brighter start with an early goal to move five points clear but a well worked goal from Paul Gill had the men in red and green back in it and a strong finish to the half saw them turn around two points to the good 1-8 to 1-6.
The early part of the second half was quite even but then the Mitchels struck a vital blow with two goals after 12 and 15 minutes.
They also got what eventually was a very important point in between the goals and this put them seven ahead and looking good going into the final quarter. However that was to be their final score, as the Hill took over around the midfield area and late scores from Aidan McCabe and Paul Gill give them hope.
In the final minute McCabe scored what was a fine team goal, and when referee Jonathon Conlon blew his final whistle, the Mitchels were very much relieved.