Maryland's brave bid comes to an end

Having been severely tested in the opening half by championship surprise packets Maryland, a calmer and more streetwise Tyrrellspass outfit stormed back in the second period to destroy the Drumraney side's hopes of pulling off a shock at Lakepoint Park last Saturday evening. After leading their more illustrious opponents a merry dance in the first 20 minutes, Maryland were taken asunder, especially by county star Denis Glennon, who scored seven second-half points, each as good as the other, giving further credence to his status as one of the premier forwards in the country, let alone the county. Glennon's contribution turned the game around after the Maryland light shone bright and claimed 5 points without reply in the first 13 minutes, but their hopes were extinguished ruthlessly by a hungry and unrelenting Tyrrellspass who really put them to the sword after half-time. The previously watertight Maryland defence was more like a leaking tap in that period as the more mature football and plain nous of the Tidy Town steamrolled them into admission and in the end they gave up the ghost from a very early stage of that half. Maryland must be commended for their have-a-go attitude but, on this display, Tyrrellspass will be serious contenders for the Flanagan Cup this year. The drama that was about to unfold later and the ease of Tyrrellspass win was far from the minds of the large attendance in the first quarter of the game as the young guns of Maryland took the game completely to their more vaunted opponents and, in truth, gave them a torrid time of it with superb incisive and direct football. Ronan Moran got the ball rolling after a marvellous move between him and Kieran Martin and, within minutes, Martin had scored his own after a super pass from Callum McCormack. A move which started on their own 14-yard line ended with Martin on the end of it again and the young sharpshooter pointed superbly to finish a wonderful move. Tyrrellspass were in disarray and when midfielder David Reynolds put 4 between the sides the signs were ominous for the Tidy Town. Cathal Daly had replaced Trevor John Gonoud at this stage and the alarm bells were really ringing when Maryland midfielder Damian Reynolds pointed with another well worked effort. Tyrrellspass had the chance to come back into the game when Denis Glennon bore down on goal, but somehow his effort was cleared and it seemed to unsettle what even at this stage was a fragile Tyrrellspass side. It was a full 18 minutes before they got on the scoreboard from a Denis Glennon free, but Callum McCormack restored the 5 point margin with a fine individual score even if he looked to have fouled David Murphy in the process. Maryland then retreated into their shell a bit and, after Keith Scally had been denied by a superb save from Maryland goalie John Murray, Martin Flanagan picked up the pieces and after a marvellous move involving Tim O'Regan, Philip Sheridan and Cathal Daly he kicked the best score of the half. Moments later, Daly added another after a short free with Flanagan to leave the half-time score 0-6 to 0-3 in Maryland's favour and good value they were for it. Tyrrellspass came out a completely different side after the break and with 3 minutes Denis Glennon had hit 3 superb points and the maestro was now beginning to play as he wished. Each was a beauty and each was a team score as Tyrrellspass upped the intensity enormously. David Martin momentarily restored Maryland's lead when a bouncing ball in the square was not dealt with but, almost immediately, Flanagan levelled matters from a long range effort that was worth the admission money. John Brennan then joined the fray and he made a telling contribution when setting up Glennon for a fisted point, and that was followed by another fisted point, this time from Keith Scally and even at this early stage the game looked up for the Drumraney blues. Glennon pointed another free and then Scally should have had a goal but Murray made another fine save before sub Brennan put 4 between the sides with a super strike from long range. Kieran Martin stemmed the tide with an excellent score from a very acute angle but after a fisted Glennon point, the final nail in the coffin came when David Glennon and Adrian Corcoran combined to set Martin Flanagan through and the ace finisher made no mistake from the edge of the square for a game defining goal. As a contest the game was over but to Maryland's credit they plugged on and after David Martin pointed a free it was the same player who scored another from a very narrow angle. But the final hurrah went to man-of-the-match Denis Glennon who tapped over simply from 21 yards out to seal his own outstanding performance and the win for a dogged and utterly ruthless Tyrrellspass side who showed why they are one of the benchmarks for many of the aspiring Westmeath teams. Glennon was superb in both execution and approach and was the difference between the sides when he opened his shoulders, while Flanagan, Tim O'Regan and Ger Egan ran him close. But it was the all round display and physical presence of an imposing and uncompromising team effort that sealed Maryland's fate. Tyrrellspass had the bench also and subs Cathal Daly and John Brennan in particular were excellent and they will surely be vying for a staring place next time. For Maryland, Kieran Martin, Callum McCormack and Ronan Moran and in the second half goalie John Murray were excellent but they lacked the experience and strength of their opponents but they will learn from this experience and will come back stronger and with many young players their day will come. Tyrrellspass now go on to meet Garrycastle in what will be a mouth-watering semi-final pairing not to be missed. SCORERS - Tyrrellspass: Denis Glennon 0-8 (2f), Martin Flanagan 1-2, Keith Scally, Cathal Daly and John Brennan 0-1 each. Maryland: Kieran Martin and David Martin (1f) 0-3 each, David Reynolds, Damian Reynolds, Ronan Moran and Callum McCormack 0-1 each. Tyrrellspass: Darren Quinn, David Murphy, Barry Murphy, Terence O'Brien, Ger Egan, Trevor John Gonoud, Philip Sheridan, Adrian Corcoran, Tim O'Regan, Brian Slevin, Keith Scally, Ronan Dunbar, David Glennon, Martin Flanagan, Denis Glennon. Subs: Cathal Daly for Gonoud (8 mins), John Brennan for Slevin (40), Ray Sheerin for Dunbar and Declan Feery for David Murphy (58). Maryland: John Murray, Phillip Rainey, Eoin Farrell, Conor Farrell, Christy Grimes, John Cunningham, Darren Malynn, David Reynolds, Damian Reynolds, Callum McCormack, Kieran Martin, Ronan Moran, John Reilly, David Martin James Reynolds Subs: Ronan Farrell for Grimes (45 mins), Liam Reilly for Cunningham (48), Trevor Farrell for Damian Reynolds (49), Declan Nugent for J Reynolds (54). Referee: Damien Maher (Ballynacargy).