Preview: Man O’War v Glyde Rangers - AIB Leinster Junior Football Semi Final

By Conor Martin

Man O’War go head-to-head with Louth’s Glyde Rangers for a spot in the AIB Leinster Club Junior Football Championship Final this weekend as they meet in the semi-finals of the provincial championship.

A 44-year wait for glory was put to bed as the ‘War beat O’Dwyers in the Go-Ahead Dublin Junior Football Championship finale, with Sam Clancy’s second-half strike being the difference between the two north Dublin teams.

In their Leinster quarter-final, the men in yellow and blue took on Wicklow’s Ballinacor and emerged from that battle with a five-point victory. John Flemming and Fionn Slattery both made the net ripple, as Sean Hussey and Conor Dolan also proved to be useful.

They are now 60 minutes away from a place in the Leinster final. However, they still have one tricky test to pass.

Glyde Rangers have won the Louth Junior Football Championship a record seven times and ended their 27-year wait for the Louth junior football title with a 1-13 to 1-8 win over Naomh Fionnbarra.

Tadgh Kellet was the Glyde goal-scorer, as he, Alan Kirk and Ciaráin Sheridan all put in excellent performances.

The Tallanstown club began their Leinster campaign in Round 1 with a two-point win over Daingean. Kirk and Sheridan demonstrated their importance in this Glyde side, as Kirk picked up three points while Sheridan scored 1-3, as Glyde booked a place in the quarter-finals.

Sheridan would be crucial once more in their last eight fixture when he played the role of provider turned goal-scorer when he set Lee Finnegan up to grab the first goal of the game inside the first 90 minutes before he grabbed a goal for himself as Glyde edged out Annanough 2-11 to 2-9.

With Sheridan one of Glyde’s main threats in front of goal, Man O’War need to find a way to contain the talented forward while ensuring their forwards are given enough service inside the 45m line if they are to progress.