Niall Sharkey Returns for the Glyde’ as They Eye Christy Bellew Title

Glyde Rangers 4-17 : 0-6 Westerns

Venue: Páirc Naomh Mairtin, Monasterboice | Referee: Gerard Corrigan

Glyde Rangers made it three wins from three in the group stages of the Christy Bellew Championship with a commanding performance against Westerns in Monasterboice, running out emphatic 23-point winners. The evening also marked the return of former Louth Senior Player of the Year Niall Sharkey, back from his travels, who slotted seamlessly into the team and gave a timely boost as Glyde eye silverware.

The tone was set from the throw-in as Adam Sweeney found the net inside the opening minute. Quickfire points from Killian Scott and Tadhg Kellett pushed Glyde further clear before Westerns responded through Cathal Kennedy and Killian Crosbie. However, it proved a brief reprieve.

By the 12th minute Glyde were in full flow, with Scott, Sweeney and Kellett all on target. Points from Conor Kerr and Anthony Durnin kept Westerns in touch, but once Gerard Bourton rifled in his side’s second goal on the half-hour mark, the contest was effectively settled. Glyde led 2-10 to 0-4 at the break.

The second half followed a similar pattern. Sharkey clipped over the opening point before Aaron Myles struck a third goal to stretch the margin. Sharkey, Bourton and substitute Cormac Lundon all added to the tally as Glyde kept the scoreboard ticking.

The fourth goal arrived on 46 minutes, with Scott capping a fine individual performance by finishing to the net. From there, it was one-way traffic as Brian Duffy, Kellett and Sharkey all raised white flags. Kennedy managed two late scores for Westerns, but it was scant consolation on a difficult evening.

With this win, Glyde advance with a perfect group record and will now meet Na Piarsaigh/Blackrock in Hunterstown on Sunday, September 14th (1pm) — a tie that will test their credentials as real contenders for the Christy Bellew Cup. But for now, with wins over Naomh Malachi, St Nicholas and Westerns – Glyde Rangers will hold extremely big hopes of making their mark on the knockout stages of the 2025 DKIT Sport Junior Football Championship.

Teams & Scorers

Glyde Rangers
Oran Matthews, Darren McKeever, Oisin Reenan, Gerard Bourton (1-1), Shane Byrne, Niall Sharkey (0-3, 1f), Sean Devaney, Adam Sweeney (1-1), Ciarain Sheridan (0-1, 45’), Killian Scott (1-3, 1f), Brian Duffy (0-2), Lee Finnegan (0-1), Liam Gallagher, Tadhg Kellett (0-4), Aaron Myles (1-0).
Subs: Conor McCauley for Sheridan (36), Cormac Lundon (0-1) for Finnegan (36), Shane Mullaney for Reenan (43), Barry Brennan for Sweeney (47), Oisin Lynch for Duffy (53).

Westerns
Terence Sweeney, Andy Murray, Dylan Ogle, Joe Murphy, Finn Duffy, Adam Duffy, Conor Kerr (0-1), Matthew Kane, Cathal Kennedy (0-3, 2f), Pat Kerley, Anthony Durnin (0-1), Ryan Duffy, Ciaran Murray, Killian Crosbie (0-1, 1f), Emmett Smith.
Subs: Aiden McGarrell for Kane (29), Darragh Osborn for Crosbie (35).

Player of the Match

Killian Scott – A constant threat throughout, mixing sharp finishing with intelligent movement. His tally of 1-3, along with tireless link play, made him the standout performer on the night. Sharkey’s return was hugely significant, but Scott’s scoring touch kept Glyde in cruise control.