Louth GAA club | Glyde go through to semi-final

Glyde Rangers booked their place in the semi finals of the DKIT Louth Junior Championship with this victory over Na Piarsaigh/Blackrock in wind swept Hunterstown on Sunday afternoon last.

Having led by four at the break, despite playing into a swirling first half breeze, the writing was on the wall, with Glyde in control, as they led by 1-3 to 0-2, thanks to a major from the imposing Jack McKeever.

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The goal was all the more the crucial, given the low conversion ratios from both sides, particularly Na Piarsaigh Blackrock, who only amassed a meagre 0-2 from 10 first half shots, despite playing with a wind advantage.

It was the returning Niall Sharkey who stood out like a beacon of light in the sky blue of Glyde Rangers, with the former county man dictating things from centre half forward, having been involved in most of his side’s attacking play, finishing with 31 possessions over the hour.

It was Sharkey and Alan Devlin who combined to set up Sean Devanney to nail the opening score from wing back after eight minutes, with Rangers keen to hold on to possession for as long as possible shooting against that awkward first half gust.

As both sides struggled to find the range in the first half, the next score did not arrive until the 18^th minute thanks to a Ciaran Murphy free for Na Piarsaigh/Blackrock.

In a hugely low scoring first half, Ciaran Sheridan (f) restored the lead for Glyde Rangers, before the JFC winners from 2023 struck for a key score, which saw Tadgh Kellet and Killian Scott combine for the marauding Jack McKeever find the back of the net after 28 minutes.

Fionn Tipping who battled hard for his side, took a Ciaran Murphy pass off the shoulder from a Na Piarsaigh kickout to close the gap to three at 1-2 to 0-2.

However, another carefully managed, long passage of play involving Alan Devlin, Adam Sweeney and Sean Devanney, led to Niall Sharkey bursting through the centre to fire over the bar to leave Glyde 1-3 to 0-2 ahead in a half understandably lacking quality in treacherous weather conditions.

Second Half:

The second period saw Glyde firmly in the driving seat, and the wind at their backs, scoring 1-6 without reply, with Na Piarsaigh Blackrock unable to make an impression on the scoreboard with that relentless breeze, despite introducing the evergreen David Boyle into the full forward line in that second half.

While they only converted 2-9 from 26 shots overall, Glyde took a firm grip on proceedings, as they comfortably booked their place in the last four.

A Niall Sharkey two pointer almost straight from the throw in set the tone, before the same player was involved in a move with Alan Devlin and Adam Sweeney, setting up Shane Byrne to point from play.

A nice steal of possession by Niall Sharkey saw Aaron Devlin add his name to the scoresheet, as the Tallanstown side led by 1-7 to 0-2 by the end of the third quarter.

Glyde Rangers were able to spray Lennon Cup All Star Cormac Lundon from the bench for the final quarter, and his improvising kick pass found Tadgh Kellet who made no mistake to drive home Rangers’ second goal, to leave them 2-7 to 0-2 ahead with 10 minutes remaining.

The move started with an impressive block by Sean Devanney in defence for Glyde, a man who finished with 23 possessions himself over the hour, impressing alongside Darren McKeever, Liam Gallagher and Jack McKeever at the back for Glyde.

One thing that will thrill the Glyde Rangers management team is the spread of scorers, with Killian Scott who finished with 23 possessions, becoming the eight and final player to add his name to the score sheet with a late brace of scores as the Tallanstown side cruise through to the Junior Championship semi finals, with their bid for a swift return to the Intermediate ranks still intact.

Glyde Rangers: David Brennan; Darren McKeever, Liam Gallagher, Shane Byrne (0-1); Gerard Bourton, Jack McKeever (1-0), Sean Devanney (0-1); Adam Sweeney, Ciaran Sheridan 0-1 (1f); Aaron Devlin (0-1), Niall Sharkey (0-3), Killian Scott (0-2); Aaron Myles, Tadgh Kellet (1-0), Brian Duffy.

Subs: Cormac Lundon for Devlin (45), Conor McCullagh for Sheridan (54), Conor McCauley for Devanney (54), Leigh Byrne for Shane Byrne (62), Lee Finnegan for Duffy (62).

Na Piarsaigh Blackrock: Jordan Mackin; Shane Roddy, John Galligan, Stehen McGuinness; Michael Woods, Fionn Tipping (0-1), Conal Shields; Darren McElhinney, James Mahoney; Joseph Woods, Ciaran Murphy 0-1 (1f), Tommy Muckian; Robert Murphy, Paul Mallon, Jamie Fealy.

Subs: Matthew McAloon for Mallon (HT), Gerard Rice for Robert Murphy (37), David Boyle for Muckian (41), James McCartney for Ciaran Murphy (45), Tony McNally for Fealy (59).

Referee: David J McArdle (St Brides).