Dundalk YI’s secure IFC status against Glyde

Dundalk Young Irelands secured their Intermediate status for another year with a commanding 15-point victory over Glyde Rangers at PPFS Darver on Friday night.

The win ensures the Young Irelands stay in the Intermediate ranks while newly promoted Glyde Rangers will head back to the Junior Championship next year.

Despite the loss of their manager Collie Campbell, Glyde Rangers started well with Tadhg Kellet scoring a point from a free in the 5th minute to put them in front. 

However, it was the only time they led as Dundalk Young Irelands quickly took control of the game.

Dean Maguire responded just a minute later with a point for Young Irelands, followed by another point from Cian O'Donoghue. Then, the floodgates opened.

Dermot Mone bagged two quick-fire goals in the space of a minute, the first coming from a well-worked team move involving Jamie Browne and Jack Watters.

Mone then broke free moments later to fire his second past Glyde's keeper David Brennan, leaving Dundalk Young Irelands 2-2 to 0-1 ahead by the 9th minute. 

Peter McStravick added a point from a '45, extending their lead before Glyde Rangers tried to mount a response.

Kellet hit another free and Ciarán Sheridan converted a '45, but Glyde struggled to make any real impact against a solid Dundalk defence, where goalkeeper Fergal Sheekey was particularly impressive and pulled off a great save to deny Oisin Lynch.

James Prendergast of Dundalk Young Irelands was shown a straight red card for a heavy collision in the 19th minute to give Glyde a potential lifeline.

Sheridan added a point from the resulting free but their hopes were soon dashed when Conor McCullough was also sent off for Glyde after a clash with Cian O’Donoghue just minutes later.

Dundalk kept their composure with points from Peter McStravick and Cian O'Donoghue extending their lead before Jamie Browne closed the half with another score. 

Dundalk Young Irelands led 2-7 to 0-4 at half time with Glyde Rangers facing an uphill battle in the second period.

Any hopes of a Glyde comeback were quickly extinguished early in the second half when Liam McStravick scored a free within the first minute of the restart and then found the net with a well-taken goal just two minutes later.

Glyde's Brian Duffy did add a point from a free but the Dundalk men continued to pile on the pressure with Jordan O'Donoghue, Dermot Mone, and Caolán McCabe all adding further points as the game wore on to ensure their side never looked in danger.

Oisin Lynch added a late score for Glyde but by then the result was well beyond doubt. Jordan O'Donoghue finished the scoring for Dundalk Young Irelands with a free in the 58th minute, sealing a dominant 3-13 to 0-7 victory.

The win ensures Dundalk Young Irelands retain their place in the Intermediate Championship for 2025. For Glyde Rangers, it’s back to the Junior Championship after a tough season at the higher level.

Dundalk Young Irelands: Fergal Sheekey, Conn O’Donoghue, Ciarán Murray, Seán Murphy, Jamie Browne (0-1), Jordan O’Donoghue (0-4, 2f), Liam McStravick (1-0), Ruairí Kelly, Cian O’Donoghue (0-2), Dermot Mone (2-1), Peter McStravick (0-3, 1’45, 2f), James Prendergast, Dean Maguire (0-1), Jack Watters, Brendan Prendergast.

Subs: Jack McArdle for Brendan Prendergast (35’), Caolán McCabe 0-1 for Watters (40’), Evan McArdle for Kelly (41’), Paddy O’Callaghan for Murphy (45’), Alan Hanks for Con O’Donoghue (50’).

Glyde Rangers: David Brennan, Mark McKeever, Conor McCullough, Aaron Myles, Tadgh Kellett (0-2, 2f), Jack McKeever, Gerard Bourton, Lee Finnegan, Adan Sweeney, Oisin Lynch (0-2), Brian Duffy, Ciarán Sheridan (0-3, 1’45, 1f), Killian Scott, Darren McKeever, Dion Conlon.

Subs: Leigh Byrne for Duffy (36’), Aaron Devlin for Conlon (38’), Fiachra Sheridan for Bourton (40’), Oran Matthews for Scott (40’).

Referee: Cormac Reilly.