The last four of the Louth Junior Championship was decided over the weekend with Young Irelands, Roche Emmets, Lannleire and Glyde Rangers all booking their place in the semi-final.

Young Irelands were first into the hat on Friday night as they defeated Naomh Malachi by 0-14 to 0-11 at Clan na Gael Park.

The Dundalk men had claimed the Division 3 title with a comfortable win over the Mals the previous Sunday, but on this occasion they were made fight all the way.

The Courtbane side made the brighter start and had early points from Colin Rooney and Noel Donaldson, while Ronan McElroy and Stephen Smith both came close to finding the net.

The Young Irelands were never at their best but gradually came into the game and with Aidan Sheeky, Peter McStravick, Dean Maguire, Derek Maguire, Jordan O'Donoghue and Mark Savage on target, they went in at the break leading by 0-8 to 0-6.

Donal Begley cut the gap to one just after the re-start but the Young Irelands steadied the ship with the next three points from Dermot Mone, Sheeky and O'Donoghue. The Mals battled to the end and late points from Rooney and Shane Rogers gave them hope, but Sheeky sealed victory with the last score of the game.

Roche Emmets were also made to battle for their place in the semi-final before a strong finish saw them defeat Westerns by 3-12 to 0-9 at Clan na Gael Park.

The Westerns made a bright start with points from Tommy Durnin and Jack Ogle before Barry O'Hare helped his side into the lead. Daniel O'Connell grabbed the first goal of the game on 20 minutes to send his team in leading by 1-6 to 0-4.

The Reaghstown outfit rallied at the start of the second half and points from Anthony Durnin, Tommy Durnin, Trevor Baylon, Jack Ogle and Terence Sweeney cut the gap to 1-7 to 0-9 after 40 minutes.

However, Roche always had the bit extra when required and two goals from Shane Byrne in quick succession at the start of the final quarter put the game beyond the Westerns.

Last year's beaten finalists, Glyde Rangers, booked their place in the semi-final with a comfortable 2-21 to 0-8 victory over Wolfe Tones at The Grove on Saturday evening.

Overall it was a very satisfactory outing for the Tallanstown side as they were rarely threatened despite the best efforts of the Drogheda men.

Seven Glyde players hit the target on the night with Gareth Moran and Niall Sharkey scoring 1-5, while Dion Conlon added 0-6, with a total of 2-19 coming from play.

Jamie McCormack top-scored for the Drogheda side with three points, while Adam Gartland, Chris Eustace and Marc Lugoye were also on target.

For the third year running, Lannleire will enter the draw for the semi- final of the Louth JFC semi-final following a comfortable 0-19 to 0-9 victory over close neighbours, Stabannon Parnells, at The Grove on Saturday.

Lannleire took charge of the contest from the throw-in on with Paul Doyle landing a fine score from out on the right wing and this was quickly followed by points from Colin Murphy (free), Briain McGuinness and Bob Murphy. 

Aonghus Giggins got Stabannon on the scoreboard on nine minutes with a pointed free but Lannleire continued to dominate and by the time the half time whistle sounded they were leading by 0-12 to 0-4.

The Dunleer side maintained their eight-point lead at the end of the third quarter, Bob Murphy, Colin Murphy and Alan Murphy kicking points in reply to Stabannon scores from Aonghus Giggins and Barry Lynch (2). 

Stabannon did reduce the gap to six with 12 minutes remaining with points from Colm Giggins and Barry Lynch but a fitter and more determined Lannleire side made sure of their passage to the last four with scores from Paul Callan (2), Pierce Hawkins and Colin Murphy.

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