NA PIARSAIGH 2-13
GLYDE RANGERS 2-11
(AET)
Na Piarsaigh came through a dramatic play-off final to ensure they will be competing in the Intermediate Championship next season and in the process sent Glyde Rangers back down to the Junior ranks.
In a tense encounter Na Piarsaigh forced the game to extra-time thanks to a late Mark Larkin point, before making the most of their reprieve by eventually winning by two points.
The game began with the teams exchanging points before Glyde struck the first blow when Gavin Duffy finished well for the opening goal. They followed up with three unanswered points to lead by 1-4 to 0-1 after 17 minutes.
The Dundalk men hit back through Niall Franklin and Larkin but they suffered another setback when Barry Brennan fired in a second goal for Glyde to increase the gap to 2-5 to 0-4 approaching half time.
Despite being short six regulars, it was looking good for Glyde but Na Piarsaigh were given a lifeline when Paul Mallon forced the ball home and then almost immediately he fisted a second goal to cut the to 2-5 to 2-4.
Soon after the restart Mallon had the sides level but the Tallanstown men responded well and fired over the next three points and goalkeeper Gerard Carroll preserved that lead with two excellent saves from Sean McAuley and Eamon McAuley.
With time ticking by a point by Paul Mallon reduced the arrears to a point. With the Naps applying all the pressure in search of a score they managed to equalise for the second time in the game with a Mark Larkin free in the dying seconds.
Extra time followed on and with aching bodies and tiring legs, both sides managed a point each leaving the sides level going into the fourth passage of play. A point by Ciaran Sheridan appeared to have won it for the Glyde men but up stepped Mark Larkin to score with a 45 and a free putting Na Piarsaigh into the lead for the first time. A final point by Robert Murphy ensured the Dundalk men will play intermediate championship football for 2017.
NA PIARSAIGH: Barry Teather; John Galligan, Ronan McCartney, Stephen McGuinness; Joe Woods, Aidan Marks, Conal Shields; Eamon McAuley (0-1), Michael Woods; Niall Franklin (0-1), Alan McCartney, Sean McAuley; Robert Murphy (0-2), Paul Mallon (2-3), Mark Larkin (0-5). Subs: David Boyle (0-1), Damien McGeeney, Ciaran Murphy, Gavin McGee.
GLYDE RANGERS: Gerard Carroll; Jason Dullaghan, Conor McCullough, Peter Duffy; Fiachra Sheridan, Conor Sheridan, Barry Sharkey; Ciaran Sheridan (0-4), David Devaney; La O'Brien, Niall Sharkey (0-2), John Myles (0-1); Barry Brennan (1-1), Cein Sheridan, Gavin Duffy (1-0). Subs: Martin O'Connor (0-3) for G Duffy, Gerard Farrell for C McCullough, Fiachra Sheridan for J Dullaghan, Conor McCullough for J Myles.
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