Wayne Callan Leads His Glyde Charges to JFC Final

DKIT Sport Junior Football Championship Semi Final

Report from Páirc Baile Fiach in Hunterstown.

Referee: Bryan Smith (O’Raghallaighs)

Photo: Referee Bryan Smith with Match Officials and Captains Ciarain Sheridan and Conor Osbourne.

Naomh Fionnbarra/St Annes : 0-12

Glyde Rangers : 1-10

Glyde Rangers advanced to the DKIT Sport Junior Football Championship Final after they edged a proper championship battle with Naomh Fionnbarra/St Annes in Hunterstown on Saturday evening.

The conditions were kind to both sides and the large amount of spectators in attendance after an indifferent week. Glyde Rangers produced a performance of grit, determination and resilience, typical in a Wayne Callan side, to overcome a stiff Togher’ challenge. The Tallanstown’ men got the perfect start when wing-back Sean Devaney went through and buried to the back of the net to send them into a 3-point lead within the opening minute. Conor Osbourne replied shortly after before Adam Sweeney restored the Glyde’s three point advantage.

The Barrs’ dominated the next ten minutes of play, Jack Murtagh converted a close range free before midfielder Jack Butterly landed a booming 2-point effort to draw the game level. Stephen O’Reilly and Conor Osbourne both added points off long range Dáithí Woods kickouts to send their side into the lead. Ciarain Sheridan replied with a free to set up a period of solidity from Glyde Rangers. Niall Sharkey, Sean Devaney and Tadhg Kellett all added a point each, though, Stephen O’Reilly and a late Brendan Simms effort ensured the sides were deadlocked heading into the dressing rooms at the break.

Photo: Glyde Rangers Manager Wayne Callan.

Half Time: Naomh Fionnbarra/St Annes 0-8 : 1-5 Glyde Rangers

2022 Louth Senior Footballer of the year’ Niall Sharkey opened the second half with a superb effort as he took up a new position for the second period in the inside line. This was a change that added a difference to the Glyde side as Togher’ had no option but to double-up on Sharkey leaving more room for those out the field. Tadhg Kellett swapped out and had a dominant second half as he turned playmaker, picking up a serious amount of possession.

The second half was a complete arm wrestle as both sides tried to take momentum from one another without successfully doing so. Ciaran Murphy got a close range free to level up before Brian Duffy pointed after a sharp turn from a direct ball in. Tadhg Kellett then knocked over a classy score to send Glyde Rangers into a 1-8 to 0-9 lead with just over 20 minutes remaining.

The next score would come 7 minutes later. A passage of patiently worked possession play from Glyde’ ended up with Ciarain Sheridan who worked it beautifully onto his trusty left boot, firing high and over into the dressing-room end in Hunterstown. Naomh Fionnbarra/St Annes reacted with the introduction of former Louth Senior footballer William Woods and this had the impact they had hoped for. Firstly, Ciaran Markey and Jack Murtagh knocked over frees, before, a superb long-range effort from the sub’ Woods, to level the game at 0-12 to 1-9, with 1 minute of normal time remaining. Just as patrons thought we were headed for a replay, Glyde sub’ Olan Crosbie drew a free after a brave run. Tadhg Kellett held his nerve and converted the close range free to win Glyde Rangers the game.

Photo: Match Winner Tadhg Kellett.

Full Time: Naomh Fionnbarra/St Annes 0-12 : 1-10 Glyde Rangers

Player of the Match:

Adam Sweeney (Glyde Rangers): Adam Sweeney is a deserving winner of the game’s Player of the Match after a dominant midfield display. He produced a number of eye-catching fetches, particularly in the second half, while also getting on the scoreboard himself.

Notables:

Tadhg Kellett (Glyde Rangers): Kellett’s second half was instrumental to the Glyde’s win. He was composed in possession and controlled almost every attack. Knocked over the late winner.

Conor Osbourne (Naomh Fionnbarra/St Annes): Battled to the end. Had an excellent game where he scored and won kickouts through clean catches and breaking ball.

Naomh Fionnbarra/St Annes Team:

Dáithí Woods; Máirtín Murphy, Ronan Callaghan, Stephen Doyle; Chris McGlynn, Colin McGrane, Josh Crosbie; Jack Butterly (0-2), Brendan Simms (0-1); Cormac McArdle, Stephen O’Reilly (0-2), Conor Osbourne (0-2); Ciarán Murphy (0-1, 1f), Ciarán Markey (0-1, 1f), Jack Murtagh (0-2, 2f).

Subs: Adam Hanratty for Stephen Doyle (Half Time), Thomas McCreesh for Ciarán Murphy (39 Mins), William Woods (0-1) for Brendan Simms (51 Mins), Matthew O’Reilly for Dáithí Woods (60 Mins).

Glyde Rangers Team:

David Brennan; Darren McKeever, Liam Gallagher, Conor McCullagh; Sean Devaney (1-1), Jack McKeever, Gerard Bourton; Adam Sweeney (0-1), Ciarain Sheridan (0-2, 1f); Killian Scott, Niall Sharkey (0-2), Lee Finnegan; Tadhg Kellett (0-3, 2f), Brian Duffy (0-1), Cormac Lundon.

Subs: Leigh Byrne for Cormac Lundon (20 Mins), Aaron Devlin for Lee Finnegan (41 Mins), Olan Crosbie for Leigh Byrne (56 Mins).