Glenswilly stage second-half comeback to edge past Four Masters in U-21 championship

Glenswilly came back strong in the second half as they opened their U-21 campaign with a win at home against Four Masters on Sunday. 

Having overcome Dungloe by 21 points just over a week ago, Four Masters, no doubt, carried an air of confidence coming into their second-round tie. However, the home side brought a level of physicality that proved wonders in the second half and carried them from behind into a lead that they held onto for the win.

The absence of the two Carr brothers in the forward line, Seanán and Turlough, also proved vital when the Four Masters team needed scores late on to salvage a result. 

Despite holding a one-point lead at the break, the Donegal Town side could only manage two more points from Oisin Doherty in the second half, while Glenswilly upped the ante to take the lead on the 40th minute and hold out until the end. 

Masters were buoyed by a sublime Conor McCahill goal on the cusp of halftime, when the Four Masters defence, through a superb piece of defending, won possession of the ball and fed it to the inside Four Masters forward at midfield who darted up the length of the pitch to fire home into the net. 

Trailing on a 1-4 to 0-6 scoreline at halftime, credit must go to Shane Tinney and Daithi Gildea, who rhymed off three points apiece, while Donal Gallagher was exceptional going forward and setting up attacks for his side. 

Masters rallied to the end as they looked for that important winning score, but the home side remained solid as they finished with a 0-11 to 1-6 win.  

Glenswilly scorers: Daithi Gildea and Shane Tinney 0-3, 1f each; Oisin McGrenra, Mark Bonner, Donal Gallagher, Gary Kelly, and Jake Kelly 0-1 each. 
Four Masters scorers: Conor McCahill 1-1; Oisin Doherty 0-3, 3fs; Callum McCrea and Conor Reid 0-1 each 

Glenswilly: John Quinn; Mickey Toner, Jake Kelly, Dylan McAteer; Oisin McDaid, Donal Gallagher, Padraig Devine; Jamie McCauley, Darragh Enright; Mark Bonner, Reid Kelly, Gary Kelly; Shane Tinney, Daithi Gildea; Oisin McGrenra. Subs: Paddy Ward for Enright (48); Conor Kelly for Toner (52); Aidan Friel for McGrenra (59). 

Four Masters: Lewis McCaughan; Ross O’Keeney, Leo McGowan, Caolan Sweeney; Senan Quinn, Callum McCrea, David Monaghan; Conor Reid, Theo Colhoun; Oisin Doherty, Kevin Muldoon, Daniel McIntyre; Conor Meehan, Tiarnan McBride, Conor McCahill. Subs: Alan McHugh for Meehan; Darragh Griffin for McIntyre.