Laune Rangers – 2004
Laune Rangers, captained by Mike Frank Russell, retained the Mid-Kerry Senior Football Championship, winning it for the 26th time in total.
Laune Rangers won the Mid-Kerry Senior Football League for the 20th time.
Laune Rangers won the Mid-Kerry Senior ‘B’ Championship for the 17th time.
Laune Rangers won the Co. U-14 Football Championship for the 10th time and retained the Mid-Kerry U-14 Football Championship, winning it for the 29th time in total.
Laune Rangers won the All-Ireland Ladies’ Junior Football 7-aside Tournament
St. Pat’s won the Co. Ladies’ Senior Football Championship.
Laune Rangers won the inaugural Mid-Kerry U-16 Girls’ Football Championship.
All-Ireland Senior Football Final: Kerry 1-20; Mayo 2-9. Liam Hassett and Mike Frank Russell won their third medals and John Sheehan his first. That was Kerry’s 33rd title.
Liam Hassett and Mike Frank Russell won their second National Football League medals.
Jerome Conway was re-elected as Vice-Chairman of the Kerry Co. Board for the seventh successive year.
The ones that got away:
Laune Rangers lost the Co. Senior Football Final for the second year-in-a-row and the fourth time in their history (1910, 1997 and 2003).
* * * * * * * * * *
The AGM of Laune Rangers Club was held in Scoil Mhuire on Mon. 5th Jan. 2004. The Secretary’s report was given at the end of 2003. The following were in attendance: John Clifford, John Griffin, Jim Galvin, John Galvin (Keelcoulaght), John Purcell, Frank Russell, Mary Griffin, Michael O Shea, Colm Conway, Liam Shannon, Brian O Shea, Willie Fitzgerald, Brendan Fitzgerald, Bart Moriarty, Pat O Riordan, Pa Foley, Denis McDonnell, Josie Fenton, Eamonn Crowley, Pat Sheehan, Johnny Galvin, Tim Brosnan, Joan Brosnan, Denis O Neill, Pat O Shea, Iraneus Looney, Billy O Shea, James O Riordan, Jimmy Hayes, Robert Murphy, Johnny Lynch, Maurice Corkery, Patrick Clifford, Peter Byrne, Eileen Clifford, Kathleen Healy, Danny Healy, John O Connor, Ann O Connor, Joe Hayes, Aidan Clifford, Patsy Joy, Tom Johnston, James Ferris, John Evans, Eddie Birmingham, Liam Clifford, Joe Crowley, Sean Moriarty, Liam Foley, Adrian O Connor, Dan Moriarty, Robert Moriarty, Barry Harmon, Jerry Coffey, Agnes Foley, Batty Foley, John Foley (Reen), Ger Counihan, Ger Purcell, Eoin Ferris, John Quirke, John O Donnell, John O Dwyer, Pierce Prendiville, Gerard Flynn, Mary Flynn.
The Income and Expenditure Account for the year ended 31/10/’03 was presented as follows by the Treasurers:
Income Expenditure
Lotto €89,115 Insurance & affiliation 9,030
Less prize money & rebate 49,542 Field & pavilion maintenance 11,359
39,573 Team & players travel 20,865
Sponsorship 17,275 Medical expenses 12,909
Membership 8,143 Team gear and equipment 2,833
Fundraising Meals 2,587
Race-night 14,610 Rent of Cloon 4,000
1,000aire 15,432 Office & administration 2,970
30,042 Donations 2,075
Sundry ESB 1,731
Sign 325 Financial charges 1,056
Gate money 475 Expenses re Ladies team 2,242
Collections Expenses re Hurling team 1,527
Bord na nOg 1,048 Miscellaneous 1,634
Ladies 1,911 Total 76,818
Score Cards 1,855 Surplus of income over exp. 23,829
5,614
Total 100,647
Reconciliation Statement
Surplus on day-to-day running 23,829
Capital expenditure 55,780
Excess of Exp. Over Income 31,951
Opening cash balances 12,609
Long-term loan (KCU) 50,000
62,609
Excess of Exp. over Income 31,951
Closing balance 30,658
The following officers were elected:
Chairman – John Clifford.
Secretary – John Griffin.
Registrars – Pat O Shea, Pat O Riordan and Johnny Galvin.
Development Officer – Jerry Coffey.
Insurance Officer – Keith Bradburn.
Scór Officer – Mary Clifford.
Senior team trainer – John Evans; Selectors – Tom Johnston, John Griffin, John O Donnell.
Munster Senior Club Football League
12th May at Killorglin: Laune Rangers Doheny’s
Co. Senior Football Championship
Nineteen teams took part in the Co. Senior Football Championship: Kerins O Rahillys, John Mitchels, Milltown/Castlemaine, Rathmore, Listowel Emmett’s, Kilcummin, Feale Rangers, St. Brendan’s, Kenmare, Shannon Rangers, Dr. Crokes, Austin Stacks, Laune Rangers, Mid-Kerry, South-Kerry, East-Kerry, St. Kieran’s, West-Kerry, An Ghaeltacht.
Rd. 1 on Sun. 20th June at Killorglin: Laune Rangers 1-12; East-Kerry 1-10.
John O Dowd reported in the Kerryman as follows: “The fighting spirit and refusal to accept defeat that drove Laune Rangers to last year’s county final was very much in evidence once again at JP O Sullivan Park, Killorglin on Sunday evening as they came from six points down to beat East-Kerry and earn a place in the quarter-finals of the AIB County SFC.
When Donie O Connor started and finished a fine move that led to East-Kerry’s goal at the start of the second half and Ross O Donovan pointed an excellent free, John Evans’ troops found themselves with a huge mountain to climb as they trailed by 1-7 to 0-4. Even without the injured Seamus Moynihan, who damaged ankle ligaments in the first half, the momentum was with East-Kerry and, if they had been able to consolidate their advantage for five or ten minutes, they may have held on to the finish. However, Laune Rangers almost immediately got the quick fillip that they required when Barry O Sullivan and attacking wing-back Jerry Coffey did the hard graft for midfielder John Lynch to apply the final touch past the despairing dive of Peter O Leary. With that Rangers’ goal, the game was transformed. The Killorglin lads rose to new heights as they sensed nervousness seeping into their opponents’ play and they proceeded to shoot six unanswered points to go three points clear (1-10 to 1-7) by the 46th minute. John Sheehan had put the shackles on John Crowley, Barry O Sullivan arrived around the middle to help John Lynch and Liam Hassett, while Billy O Shea, Mike Frank Russell, Pa O Sullivan and Colin O Connor were extremely dangerous when they got the bit between their teeth.
East-Kerry looked shell-shocked with the dramatic turn of events but, in fairness to them, they fought back courageously themselves, with substitute Paul Kennedy an inspirational figure as he continuously won possession and drove at the heart of the Rangers’ rearguard. John Cronin, O Donovan (another free) and Donal Daly all raised white flags that had the sides level entering the last couple of minutes and it appeared that the game was destined to remain deadlocked at the end. However, Laune Rangers just kept on going and excellent points from Colin O Connor and a monster 50m effort from Barry O Sullivan guided them past the winning post for a hugely creditable victory.
The action of the second half was a far cry from what preceded it. The first 30 minutes were miserable, to say the least, with poor shooting, bad passing and disorganised team-work the order of the day. Mike Frank Russell pointed Rangers into the lead after 20 seconds and Colin O Connor was foiled of a goal by Peter O Leary shortly after, before two superb long-range frees from Ross O Donovan gave East-Kerry the early impetus. There wasn’t much to choose between them, to be honest, and the fact that it was two injuries that most people were talking about at halftime tells its own story. Seamus Moynihan, on the receiving end of a bone-shuddering but fair tackle from Eoin Ferris in the 15th minute, came down badly on his right ankle and, after receiving treatment, managed to hobble his way off the pitch. Quite ironically, Ferris was next to go on the treatment table after he broke a finger and he also could not continue, causing Laune Rangers to reshuffle their defence with Karl Falvey being introduced, Paul Costello moving to centre-back and John Sheehan going back to mark John Crowley. Initially, it seemed that Crowley would get the better of that tussle and he was involved in three scores that saw East-Kerry hold a two-point lead at the interval (0-6 to 0-4). Then when Donie O Connor played a quick free to Ross O Donovan and ended up taking a pass from John Cronin to expertly slot past Tony Lyons on the resumption, it was all set up for East-Kerry to keep their composure and confidently march into the next round. They didn’t bargain on the heart-warming spirit and togetherness of John Evans and his men, however, and, for their second-half fight-back, Laune Rangers deserved their victory.”
Laune Rangers: Tony Lyons, Conor Falvey, Eoin Ferris, Terence Houlihan, Paul Costello, John Sheehan, Jerry Coffey, Johnny Lynch (1-0), Liam Hassett, Seamus Foley, Jerry O Brien, Billy O Shea (0-2), Mike Frank Russell (0-3, 2 frees) capt., Pa O Sullivan (0-4, 3 frees), Colin O Connor (0-2). Subs: Karl Falvey for E. Ferris (inj.), Barry O Sullivan (0-1) for J. O Brien.
Ref: Dan Fitzpatrick (Waterville).
Quarter-final on Sun. 10th Oct. at Fitzgerald Stadium: Dr. Crokes 1-10; Laune Rangers 0-15.
John Barry reported in the Kerryman as follows: “This AIB SFC quarter-final provided a remarkable last 18 minutes of football and brought victory to an extremely gritty Laune Rangers, who appeared to have lost the initiative after blowing a seven-point lead during this period. Laune Rangers had shaped up as unquestionably the sharper and hungrier team for the first 45 minutes and they appeared to be coasting to victory when they led by 0-12 to 0-5. It had been a very untypical performance by Dr. Crokes up to this point and there was precious little to suggest that a successful revival by them was on the cards.
However, there are few better teams than Crokes to change the complexion of a game very quickly and, responding to the prospect of a humiliating defeat, they finally began to express themselves properly. And it was none other than Colm Cooper who showed them the way. The Kerry star met an opponent well worthy of his mettle in Laune Rangers’ corner-back, Conor Falvey, who had an outstanding game but Cooper was able to set up a goal for substitute, Andrew Kennelly, with a perfect punched pass in the 46th minute and he followed with a point almost immediately. That point meant that the gap between the sides was down to just three points (0-12 to 1-6) and Crokes might well have achieved equality in the 49th minute when Eoin Brosnan found himself in a great goaling position. Brosnan unleashed a ferocious drive that might well have taken the rigging off the net had the shot found its target. However, Laune Rangers’ centre halfback, John Sheehan, managed to get his body in front of the ball and stopped it, though the force of the wallop he got left him needing attention. Looking back, that was probably the most important moment of the game. Dr. Crokes, you see, kept piling on the pressure and a punched point by James Fleming was followed by a point from a free by Colm Cooper, after he had been fouled himself. That left the score at 0-12 to 1-8.
Cooper had the chance of shoving over the equaliser from another free, after Laune Rangers’ midfielder, Barry O Sullivan, had been pulled for over-holding, but he sent this one wide. However, he made no mistake from a much easier free in the 56th minute and, dramatically, the Killarney side had drawn level. Had Eoin Brosnan’s earlier blaster found the net, Dr. Crokes would, in all probability, have swung it but, having said that, Laune Rangers had more misses in front of goal than Crokes and one in particular by Johnny Lynch in the first half comes very quickly to mind. One also recalls a shot by Crokes’ Michael Crowley six minutes into the second half, which was well saved and cleared. Indeed, Laune Rangers worked the ball straight upfield and wing-back Jerry Coffey scored one of his two outstanding points. However, misses like that aside, the fact that Crokes had been able to bridge a seven-point gap in such smart fashion, clearly placed the advantage with them and, with just four minutes left, I am sure that Laune Rangers would very gladly have settled for a draw at that stage.
However, Rangers are imbued with a marvellous fighting spirit, which undoubtedly comes from the influence of their trainer, John Evans, and they managed not alone to halt the Dr. Crokes’ drive towards victory but to go downfield and regain the initiative with two superb scores. The first of them came in the 60th minute from wingback, Jerry Coffey, who fired over after a centre by Liam Hassett had broken his way and then, just into injury-time, Michael F. Russell swung over a classic left-footed point. These two men played majestic parts in the victory by Rangers, with Coffey capping his display by kicking two points and Russell showing an avaricious work-rate from start to finish. How many times did we see Russell back in defence helping out when the crisis came in the second half?
However, there was still more drama to be played out in the game. Two minutes into injury-time, there was Colm Cooper to shove over a point for Dr. Crokes, narrowing the gap to the minimum, and there was frenetic action right up to the fourth minute of injury-time as Crokes tried to salvage a draw. Colm Cooper’s marker, Conor Falvey, was quite heroic in those closing stages and, in fact, it was Laune Rangers who were to seal the victory with a superb point from play by John Lynch, who was probably the outstanding player on the field in the first half. Lynch was listed as a sub, but started as midfield-partner for Barry O Sullivan, with Liam Hassett moving to the forty. The man Lynch replaced, Brian Gannon, came into the game after twenty minutes and he made a vital contribution to the victory as well.
But this was a day when every Laune Rangers’ player answered the call that John Evans made of them and, while John Lynch might have been the first-half hero, there was no mistaking the man who was the biggest source of strength to them in the second half. That was Liam Hassett. His contribution, truly, was a massive one and, taking into account the kind of support that was forthcoming from Laune Rangers’ team as a whole over the course of the entire game, it has to be said that they were very worthy winners. They should undoubtedly have enjoyed a bigger lead than two points at halftime (0-6 to 0-4) and, after seeing their seven-point lead in the second half being pulled back, it says an awful lot for them that they could still win the game. Their defence, generally, did really well, they were very solid at midfield and their forwards, with Pa O Sullivan operating as a very good front-man, created lots of problems for the Dr. Crokes’ defence.
Now, Laune Rangers face up to county champions, An Ghaeltacht, in the county semi-final and, based on the evidence of this game, they have to be there with a mighty chance. The pressure game they applied at all times, which saw them turn over possession quite a lot and win the vast bulk of the breaks for three-quarters of the hour, was rather impressive and An Ghaeltacht will have to match them in the motivation stakes, which won’t be easy. Fair play to both Laune Rangers and Dr. Crokes, let me add, on the sportsmanship, which they displayed in last Sunday’s game.”
Laune Rangers: Tony Lyons, Conor Falvey, Eoin Ferris, Terence Houlihan, Paul Costello, John Sheehan, Jerry Coffey (0-2), Johnny Lynch (0-1), Barry O Sullivan (0-1), Billy O Shea (0-1), Liam Hassett (0-1), Seamus Foley (0-1), Michael F. Russell (0-3, 1 free) capt., Pa O Sullivan (0-4, 2 frees), Colin O Connor. Subs; Brian Gannon for C. O Connor, Noel Lynch for T. Houlihan, Colin O Connor for S. Foley, Pa Sheehan for B. O Shea.
Ref: Tom Lynch (Kerins O Rahillys).
Semi-final on Sun. 24th Oct. at Austin Stack Park: Laune Rangers 1-13; An Ghaeltacht 1-8.
John O Dowd reported in the Kerryman as follows: “You could blame it on the weather or the attractiveness of a certain soccer fixture on television, but the reality is that when the spectators began to stream out of Austin stack Park halfway through the second half of Sunday’s second AIB County SFC semi-final, it was because there was nothing more to see. Laune Rangers advanced to their second successive decider with such ease after a victory over the depleted reigning champions, An Ghaeltacht, that it was indeed very flattering to the westerners when Dara Ó Cinnéide’s injury-time penalty at the end of the game brought them to within five points at the finish. In truth, the Killorglin men were worth at least double that margin of victory.
Of course, things were made easier for them with their opponents missing players of the calibre of Darragh and Tomás Ó Sé and Rob Mac Gearailt and then suffering another blow with Conall Ó Cruadhlaíoch having to retire with a shoulder injury, but you would have to say that even a full-strength An Ghaeltacht would have struggled to cope with the football produced by John Evans’ men on the day. Rangers had heard all the talk over the past few weeks that this game was in the bag with the problems that An Ghaeltacht were encountering. Therefore, credit must go to the players and management for not believing what was being said and realising that they would still have to go out and perform. That’s exactly what they did and, even by the end of the opening quarter, you just knew how the game would pan out. Rangers, especially in attack, produced passages of football that their opponents just couldn’t match and, while An Ghaeltacht never raised the white flag, they were always fighting a losing cause.
In Mike Frank Russell, Seamus Foley and Brian Gannon, the winners had the best three players on the pitch and their pace, movement and invention had the An Ghaeltacht rearguard at sixes and sevens from the outset. Russell was at his imperious best, kicking four fine points from play, rocketing a right-footed drive off the butt of the upright and generally causing serious damage every time he got the ball. The ever-improving Foley’s range of passing and decision-making was extremely impressive and Gannon, a late inclusion instead of Colin O Connor, was a real livewire from beginning to end, scoring and creating with real aplomb.
Russell and Pa O Sullivan (free) set the ball rolling with points in the first five minutes and, though O Cruadhlaíoch replied immediately for the losers, it was all Rangers from the start. Comfortable in defence, workmanlike at midfield and dynamic up front, they quickly laid siege to the Gaeltacht citadel. Gannon, Russell (2) and John Sheehan, on a burst from defence, all notched excellent points to power the Killorglin men five points clear (0-6 to 0-1) by the 18th minute and the game could have been done and dusted had not the superb An Ghaeltacht goalkeeper, Padraig Ó hÉalaithe, produced an excellent save from Pa O Sullivan with his legs when the Rangers’ full-forward was clean through on goal. There was an even bigger scare for the Gallerus men when Russell, the recipient of a wonder pass from Foley (this was a feature of his play), cracked a blistering drive off the keeper’s right-hand upright in the 25th minute while Gannon was also denied towards the end of the half by another decent stop from the under-pressure net-minder. Though the deficit was only four points at the break (0-7 to 0-3), it was clear that An Ghaeltacht were in severe trouble. Without some key inspirational presences, they didn’t have anybody to really lead the charge and drive them back into contention. To be fair, Rangers weren’t going to let them either.
Once Gannon notched the opening point of the second period and then Russell, Foley and Gannon combined to allow Johnny Lynch to bundle the ball to the net from close range in the 34th minute, the game was over as a contest. Foley (after Russell was denied by another fantastic Ó hÉalaithe save) and Russell added further points and Rangers were out of sight at the midway point of the half (1-10 to 0-4). That was the moment when large portions of the crowd decided to make their exit and you couldn’t blame them. Rangers took their foot off the pedal from there to the finish, An Ghaeltacht battled away to put some respectability on the score-board and Ó Cinnéide’s late spot-kick at least allowed them to do that.
Overall, a quite impressive Laune Rangers’ display, especially when you consider that Billy O Shea and Liam Hassett were only peripheral figures for the most part. It would appear that this team has more in the tank and they will be clear favourites to defeat South-Kerry in the upcoming county final. Russell, Gannon and Foley were the undoubted stars, but other prominent individuals on Sunday were Eoin Ferris, John Sheehan, Jerry Coffey, John Lynch, Barry and Pa O Sullivan.”
Laune Rangers: Tony Lyons, Conor Falvey, Eoin Ferris, Terence Houlihan, Paul Costello, John Sheehan (0-1), Jerry Coffey, Johnny Lynch (1-0), Barry O Sullivan, Billy O Shea, Liam Hassett, Seamus Foley (0-2), Brian Gannon (0-3), Pa O Sullivan (0-2, 1 free), Mike Frank Russell (0-4). Subs: Noel Lynch for P. Costello, Jerry O Brien for B. O Shea, Colin O Connor (0-1) for P. O Sullivan.
Ref: Tom Lynch (Kerins O Rahillys).
John O Dowd previewed the final in the Kerryman as follows: “Things are never quite as simple as they appear to be. If you sought the opinion of the majority of supporters leaving Austin Stack Park after the two resent semi-finals, they would have immediately written off South-Kerry’s chances and crowned Laune Rangers as the new Kerry kingpins even before Sunday’s AIB County SFC Final takes place at Fitzgerald Stadium, Killarney (3.15pm). The Killorglin men were hugely impressive in their comprehensive victory over defending champions, An Ghaeltacht. Solid at the back, workmanlike at midfield and scintillating in attack, John Evans’ men looked the real deal. On the other hand, the best thing you could say about South-Kerry from their narrow success over St. Kieran’s was that they emerged victorious. So, the outcome of Sunday’s game is done and dusted, is it? Rubbish. Over the past week or so, people are beginning to think differently. Of course, the unfortunate injuries picked up by Liam Hassett and Johnny Lynch and the car accident that shook Mike Frank Russell have upset preparations in the Rangers’ camp and have helped to maybe alter the general view-point on the game.
In reality, there should be nothing between these two sides. After all, it took an inspirational goal from John Sheehan after a penetrating surge from defence to separate them in last year’s semi-final (1-8 to 0-9) in a game that South-Kerry could easily have won if their kicking had not been pretty deplorable at different stages. There is no denying that they had the benefit of two easy encounters to get to the last four (St. Brendan’s and Rathmore). For Laune Rangers, it has been a very different story. Early predictions had East-Kerry down as the divisional side to watch and, when they met in the first round at Killorglin, things appeared to be panning out the way it was expected when Rangers trailed by six points early in the second half. Even without the injured Seamus Moynihan, East-Kerry were in control but, as was their hallmark last year, the home team showed their indefatigable spirit with a goal from Johnny Lynch and six unanswered points altering the whole complexion of the contest (1-12 to 1-10). Rangers were the underdogs again in the quarter-final against Dr. Crokes, the team who most people fancied to go all the way. Once again, the winners were not fazed, even after losing a seven-point cushion in the closing stages. When the need was greatest, it was Rangers who finished the strongest (0-15 to 1-10). Next was the repeat of last year’s decided against An Ghaeltacht. The Westerners were mentally shattered by the loss of Darragh and Tomás Ó Sé and Rob Mac Gearailt and they never performed to their full capabilities (1-13 to 1-6). Saying that, Rangers were sparkling in attack and could justifiably feel that they still would have won if their opponents had been at full strength.
Now, however, they need to hear good news about their big match doubts. The probability is that Johnny Lynch’s hamstring strain will recover on time but Liam Hassett’s hand injury is a more serious problem. Even though he was pretty quiet in the semi-final, the Kerry half-forward is a vital component of the Rangers’ game-plan and would be a severe loss if he doesn’t make it. In general, Rangers have a pretty strong squad. Brendan Fitzgerald may be a long-term absentee at the back but, when you consider that Noel Lynch is a defensive option off the bench, they can’t be too badly stuck. Conor Falvey and Jerry Coffey have particularly impressed, while Barry O Sullivan has blossomed at midfield. Up front, the likes of Seamie Foley, Brian Gannon and Pa O Sullivan are giving fantastic support to team captain Mike Frank Russell, who was at his very best in the semi-final.
For me, it has to be Laune Rangers. They are ferociously driven by the fact that they were the width of the post away from glory this time last year. They have the self-belief from their three notable victories this season and they have the attacking team-work and level of cohesion that I don’t see South-Kerry matching. It will be close but the Killorglin men can do it, even if Liam Hassett is ruled out.”
John O Dowd visited Killorglin the week prior to the Co. Final for Laune Rangers’ press night and reported as follows: “When Laune Rangers’ players left the pitch after the comprehensive semi-final victory over An Ghaeltacht at Austin Stack Park, they were in a pretty ebullient mood. Things had gone well and their self-confidence was blossoming. However, while they are still looking forward to Sunday’s clash with South-Kerry in the county final, a couple of freak events in the aftermath of their last match have cast a little bit of a shadow over the Killorglin club. Trainer John Evans explains the full story. ‘To put it in a nutshell, we looked to be in very good shape when the final whistle blew against An Ghaeltacht. We were then shocked and thrown into disarray with the news that Mike Frank Russell’s car had overturned on his way out of Tralee,’ he said. ‘Fortunately, he was not too upset. It was just the shock of it really. However, within 24 hours, Liam Hassett received a cut hand, which necessitated an operation and that took the wind out of our sails. We thought that was the end of it but then Johnny Lynch picked up a hamstring injury in training on Tuesday night and time is not on our side now. I’m not a medical man and, while Mike Frank seems to be OK, we’re not sure about the other two lads. They are three major players in what is relatively a young team. It would be unthinkable to go into a county final without these fellas,’ he added.
Despite the bad news, there is no doubt that, in general, Laune Rangers are feeling pretty good about themselves. They have recovered splendidly from the heart-break of losing narrowly to An Ghaeltacht in last year’s county show-piece. ‘It did hurt us, especially the circumstances with us hitting the post right at the end. To the whole county, An Ghaeltacht were the better team but we still made far too many unforced errors that day and kicked away something like 1-9. You just cannot do that in a county final. Yet, out of that, we realised that we were good enough to challenge for a county championship and they’re a nice, good, unified bunch. We let the dust settle, didn’t come back training too early and that has proved to be to our benefit,’ stressed Evans.
As well as that, Laune Rangers have taken great comfort from the fact that they have beaten three highly-rated outfits in this year’s championship, East-Kerry, Dr. Crokes and the defending champions. ‘The East-Kerry game showed us that we have the mettle for it. It was a tremendous clash and we showed real desire and came through it in the end. We knew we had the capability to beat Dr. Crokes. We are the one club that’s not fazed by their style of play and our style certainly upsets them.’ The Rangers’ supremo also pinpointed the young players in the side that have matured and have taken on more responsibility this season. ‘Seamie Foley and Jerry Coffey were the babies of the side in 2003. Now, they are strong men and Kerry U-21 players. Seamie, in particular, was unheard of last year. Conor Falvey has also been back with us this year, Barry O Sullivan going great guns at midfield, Colin O Connor unfortunate not to be on and Noel Lynch, a tower of strength last year, who is studying medicine and has been travelling this year.’ Evans does not read anything into South-Kerry’s struggles to overcome St. Kieran’s. He knows what James O Sullivan’s men are capable of delivering on the day. ‘They are seasoned campaigners and they know that the last day was just a means to an end. There is also the Maurice Fitzgerald factor in that South-Kerry are going to have the sympathy of the county with them for Maurice to win a county championship medal. However, we are sick of being bridesmaids. We want the real thing this time,’ he concluded.
Full-forward, Pa O Sullivan, the man who came so close to being last year’s final match-winner, is thrilled to be back at this stage of the race for the Bishop Moynihan Cup. ‘We have formidable opponents ahead of us, especially with Liam Hassett’s unfortunate accident. He is probably our best player and we are devastated over that and still trying to come to terms with it,’ he said. ‘John Lynch then did his hamstring and, with Mike Frank’s car accident after the game, you are thinking when is it all going to stop? Yet, besides the recent set-backs, there is a good feeling in the club and we’re confident enough going into the game.’ What about South-Kerry? ‘Even though they were up against a good team in St. Kieran’s in the semi-final, it was a tough game for them but they probably needed a test like that and it will stand to them in the final. We know that the next day will be a lot harder for us than it was against An Ghaeltacht. We seemed to have the flow of the ball with us. We won’t get the same room on Sunday and we’re going to have to work twice as hard to make things happen,’ added O Sullivan.
The inspirational centre-back John Sheehan also agrees that the new injuries have put a dampener on the side’s preparations for Sunday, but he is still confident that Rangers can put in a good performance. ‘The fact we have come back well after last year is mainly down to John Evans. He called us all aside after that defeat and simply told us that we had to regroup and get into serious training again. Fellas have also learned a lot from that loss to An Ghaeltacht and have worked very hard since and, as a result, we seem to be doing alright this year,’ said Sheehan. The teak-tough defender cannot believe that the Killorglin men are the clear bookies’ favourites for Sunday, even allowing for that fact that they were clearly the more impressive side in the semi-finals. ‘I can’t honestly see how we are favourites. If you look at the South-Kerry team, they have an array of talent like Maurice Fitzgerald, Declan O Sullivan, Ronan O Connor. They have at least five forwards who have played with Kerry and a strong backbone behind them. However, the one thing that we have in this team, and that John Evans has instilled, is a great fighting spirit. Every player helps each other out and it’s a total team effort. We have a lot to prove to ourselves and to the people of Killorglin after last year.’ What if Rangers lose again? ‘It would hurt an awful lot, players’ heads would go down, it would be hard to come back. At the end of the day, it’s a football game and both sides have a 50/50 chance. Whoever is prepared the best and is physically and mentally right on the day is going to be successful,’ he concluded.
John O Dowd spoke to Laune Rangers’ captain, Mike Frank Russell as follows: “Whatever about the difficulties that South-Kerry are going to pose on the day, Laune Rangers’ captain, Mike Frank Russell, is just delighted that he will be able to play in Sunday’s county final – for obvious reasons. After all, the 27 year-old Kerry attacker is just recovering from a car accident, which happened on his way home from scoring four points in the semi-final victory over An Ghaeltacht in Austin Stack Park. Thankfully, for Russell, it was only the car that was damaged and, after getting over the understandable shock that followed, the Killorglin corner-forward is fully focussed on Sunday.
‘Losing Liam Hassett is a blow to us because he has been a colossus in the last few games. It’s a big occasion for the team. It’s great to get back to the final after last year and it’s especially great for the older people and the whole community of Killorglin,’ he said. ‘Last year was very disappointing when we lost the final but we’ll give it our best shot on Sunday and, hopefully, we can do it this time.’ The team skipper knows how difficult an obstacle South-Kerry is going to be to surmount in the final. ‘We beat them by two points in the semi-final last year and I remember that it was a very tough game. Some people are saying that South-Kerry hasn’t really produced over the last few years but in 2001 they got to the semi-final where they lost to An Ghaeltacht. Then we beat them last year at the same stage and now they are in the 2004 final. I can’t see how that can be considered not producing. They beat a strong St. Kieran’s team in the semi-final and you just have to look through their players to recognise the talent that they have. Declan O Sullivan and Maurice Fitzgerald immediately spring to mind. Not alone are they the best two players in Kerry but they are two of the best in Ireland. Their forwards in general look very strong with other players like Brian Sheehan and Ronan O Connor. It’s definitely a 50/50 game and I can’t see much in it at the end between two footballing teams,’ he predicted.
The Rangers’ captain admitted that his team have gained in confidence from their three victories over difficult opponents on their way to Sunday’s big day. ‘John Evans and the selectors have done a very good job. The game against Dr. Crokes was a very big one for us because they were one of the real favourites to go all the way. Our games have been more high profile than South-Kerry’s but the championship in Kerry is so competitive anyway that a lot of teams have a chance of winning it.’ In a season that saw him win his third All-Ireland senior medal for Kerry, it would most certainly be the icing on the cake if Russell is lifting the Bishop Moynihan Cup on Sunday evening. ‘Yeah, everybody is talking about football in the county at the moment. It’s a religion down here and everyone is on a high after Kerry winning the All-Ireland. From our position, it’s great to win semi-finals but they can be quickly forgotten about. It’s all about Sunday’s final,’ concluded the much-admired Rangers’ skipper.”
John Clifford, Chairman of Laune Rangers Club, gave the following interview to the Kerryman prior to the final: “It was a major disappointment for Laune Rangers to lose last year’s county final but, in fairness, we have recovered very well from it. The lads really have shown great character this year. I remember everybody said that night when we lost to An Ghaeltacht that they would all make a big effort to come back again. They have done just that. I have been very impressed with them in 2004. You must also take into consideration that we got the harder side of the draw in the championship. We had to play East-Kerry first here in Killorglin and, even though we made hard work of it, we came through that game by a few points. It was Dr. Crokes in Killarney next and we gave a massive performance that day. That put us up against An Ghaeltacht again in the semi-final and the lads put in another brilliant display. Going back to East-Kerry, we were down by six points early in the second half and we literally came back from the dead. Then we were seven points up against Dr. Crokes and they got back level near the end of the game. Thankfully, we got the couple of vital scores that made the difference in the end.
To be honest, our three county senior players, John Sheehan, Liam Hassett and Mike Frank Russell, have been absolutely massive for us. We are very proud of what they have done with Kerry and they have equally done well for us. However, Liam Hassett’s injury is a massive blow. After an All-Ireland final, the next most important game is probably a county final and it looks likely that he will miss out on that, which would be a huge disappointment to him. A good sign though is that we have good fellas that we can fall back on to come in. We brought in Jerry O Brien, Colin O Connor and Noel Lynch the last day against An Ghaeltacht and they all did very well. Without a doubt, South-Kerry are going to be a tough nut to crack on Sunday. Last year in the semi-final, it took a John Sheehan goal to separate the sides and they will definitely come at us with all guns blazing because they have nothing to lose.
I wouldn’t read too much into their semi-final victory over St. Kieran’s because they will be really up for this game and the fact that they are playing Laune Rangers will bring out the best in them. From our point of view, the last year’s defeat has made the lads more hungry and they are playing some great football. Hopefully, we’ll get one more good game out of them. If we were to lose on Sunday, you would be talking about not winning three county finals in succession, after the draw and replay in 2003. Such an outcome would be hugely disappointing but we’re just hoping that the lads can produce the goods on the day.”
Final on Sun. 7th Nov. at Fitzgerald Stadium: South-Kerry 1-13; Laune Rangers 2-5.
John O Dowd reported on the game in the Kerryman as follows: “An unanswered scoring blitz of 1-6 in ten second half minutes demolished Laune Rangers and powered a hugely impressive South-Kerry to a comfortable victory in the AIB County SFC Final. Despite showing a massive improvement on their semi-final form, defensive lapses had left the winners three points adrift at the interval (0-6 to 2-3) and when Colin O Connor again took advantage of more sloppiness in the South-Kerry rearguard to instantly wipe out a Declan O Sullivan point on the resumption, you just wondered if the divisional side were going to pay the price for these elementary errors. However, in the space of the next few minutes, they showed all and sundry what they were capable of achieving with a sparkling period of sustained, imaginative and attacking football that had their fans drooling as they ended 22 years of hurt in the best possible way. Three points on the trot from Brian Sheehan had the sides level by the 39th minute and, with the demonstrative figure of John Sugrue controlling every inch of the midfield sector, the Killorglin men just could not get their hands on the ball.
A punched score from Ronan O Connor and a monstrous long-range effort from the inspirational Sugrue turned the contest completely around and, before Rangers could regain their composure, South-Kerry clinically killed them off after the move of the match. Padraig Sheehan and Killian Burns led the charge from the back and the ball found its way to captain Maurice Fitzgerald and he drew the defender before passing to O Connor and, when his right-footed drive from close range billowed the net, South-Kerry knew that the Bishop Moynihan Cup was returning to Cahersiveen (1-2 to 2-4).
If Rangers were hungry for success after last year’s disappointment, then the winners were simply ravenous in their desire to become county champions. Of course, Liam Hassett was a massive loss to John Evans’ team and the injury to John Lynch and the car crash involving skipper, Mike Frank Russell, badly affected their preparations for this game but, to be quite honest, Rangers could have no excuses. From the start, South-Kerry set out their stall and they had three points on the board before Rangers had even settled but, when they did in the seventh minute, the South-Kerry net was bulging after a wonderful through ball from the right wing by Pa O Sullivan was gathered by the onrushing Seamie Foley and he easily slotted home from close range. Nevertheless, South-Kerry continued to motor pretty sweetly but Rangers remained resolute with Eoin Ferris and Jerry Coffey in swashbuckling mode in defence. With the sides level, the winners kicked themselves in the foot in the 22nd minute when Burns and O Sullivan made a shambles of passing the ball across their own square and Colin O Connor took advantage to slot home Rangers’ second goal, which was an absolute gift. Brian Sheehan and the eager-beaver Billy O Shea exchanged points and it was last year’s beaten finalists that held the three-point cushion at the interval.
That was as good as it got for Rangers, however, as they could only manage two measly points on the resumption, which left them sunk without trace after that ten-minute torpedo blast from the South-Kerry artillery. All in all, it was an entertaining game with the most deserving winners. For Laune Rangers, it was a second successive final defeat and, while it was another heart-breaking day for the Killorglin side, it wasn’t the same as last year when the butt of the post was all that separated them from the spoils. This time around, they just weren’t good enough. Eoin Ferris, Paul Costello, Jerry Coffey and Billy O Shea tried for all they were worth but it just didn’t happen for Rangers.”
Laune Rangers: Tony Lyons, Conor Falvey, Eoin Ferris, Terence Houlihan, Paul Costello, John Sheehan, Jerry Coffey, Johnny Lynch, Barry O Sullivan, Seamie Foley (1-0), Billy O Shea (0-1), Colin O Connor (1-1), Brian Gannon (0-1), Pa O Sullivan (0-2, frees), Mike Frank Russell (capt.). Subs: Noel Lynch for E. Ferris (inj.), Adrian Hassett for B. O Sullivan.
Ref: Pat Sheehy (Clounmacon).
John O Dowd spoke to John Evans afterwards: “Despite the obvious disappointment he was feeling at the final whistle, there wasn’t even a trace of sour grapes from a typically gracious Laune Rangers’ manager, John Evans. He simply accepted that his side was beaten by a better team on the day. ‘South-Kerry should have scored a bit more in the first half. Then we were up against it once we didn’t take the initiative at the start of the second half. Declan O Sullivan got that first point and it lifted them and they drove at us. They were up for it and they played some wonderful stuff,’ he said. ‘There is no doubt that Liam Hassett would have got us going in the second half and his strength would have been an awesome boost to us. He was a big, big loss but we have no excuses. They matched us for pace and they matched us just as well for hunger. They really fought for breaks and won a lot of them at midfield. I thought John Sugrue, in particular, had a very good game, not alone under his own crossbar but he was a tower of strength all over the field,’ added Evans.
The Rangers’ supremo admitted that his full-forward line, especially Mike Frank Russell, never got the service that they needed. ‘Once we didn’t get the breaks out there, our full-forward line was starved of possession. Their backs really worked hard and we got our two goals from the half-forward line, which sums that up. There second-half play was absolutely like a club team. The likes of Maurice Fitzgerald, Declan O Sullivan and Ronan O Connor were coming back behind the halfway line hunting for ball. Their hunting ability and their willingness to work for each other was very evident. They’re a fine team.’
Can the Killorglin men recover? ‘That’s three finals in-a-row (two last year) that we have come out with nothing but we’ll just have to lift ourselves and try again. First, it’s Milltown/Castlemaine in the club final. They’re our nearest parish and our keenest rivals. We could end up with nothing at all at the end of the year but that’s life. We’ll lift it, but can we lift it sufficiently? If we manage to get over Milltown, then we have to go to Clare in the Munster semi-final. All of that looks a long way off from where we are this evening,’ stressed Evans.”
Timmy Sheehan spoke with some despondent Killorglin men after the defeat to South-Kerry and reported in the Kerryman, “To lose a senior championship final is extremely disappointing. To lose two successive deciders, well, is doubly so. Like all losing dressing-rooms, words were few and far between as players gathered their thoughts and reflected on what might have been. At times like this, no words of consolation can ease the heartbreak of a final defeat. However, the Killorglin outfit is a club with a long and proud tradition and, while extreme disappointment was obviously evident, they were quick to pay tribute to their near neighbours, on their wonderful success. Team captain, Mike Frank Russell, was the first to put the defeat into words. ‘We’re very disappointed. I thought we were going to win at halftime. It’s hard to lose a county final but to come back again and lose, is very disappointing really. Fair dues to South-Kerry. In the second half, they made a few runs and they got the goal. We had a few chances near the end and unfortunately they didn’t go in, but that’s sport and there’ll always be another day.’ On the loss of Liam Hassett, Russell admitted they missed his strength and experience. ‘Obviously, we missed his huge physical presence but we’re not going to make excuses. We knew beforehand that we would be missing him, but we’re not going to go away just yet. We still have Milltown/Castlemaine next Sunday, and we will give it a go. It gives us something to come back from today.”
Team selector, John Griffin simply paid tribute to the winners. ‘Overall South-Kerry were stronger than us in all departments. We just didn’t perform. Maybe we left our county championship in the Crokes and Gaeltacht games. If we reproduced that form, we were in with a shout today, but I don’t think we reproduced it in any form. Their semi-final performance lifted them, because they were under no illusions – they would have to lift their performances today. The gods kept us in the game and, when they came at us in the second half, we just didn’t have an answer. Our forwards never really performed as a unit and that’s a tribute to their defence. They had their homework done.” Again the absence of Liam Hassett raised its head as Griffin pointed out, ‘Liam Hassett was an enormous loss, especially in the final 15 minutes, when Liam would normally come into the play. We struggled around the middle of the field and John Sheehan unfortunately picked up an early injury. So, overall, it was a step too far for us.” Griffin, like Russell, was now looking forward to a cracking clash with their old rivals next weekend. ‘We’ve Milltown next weekend, everything to play for. It’s a local derby and, of course, it’s going to be difficult. John (Evans) will now have to lift the lads and certainly he’s the man who can do it.’ Griffin then had a word for footballing legend, Maurice Fitzgerald. ‘He has been a fantastic ambassador for football in Kerry. It’s nice to see it. You would always hope that it’s not yourself who is on the receiving end, but somebody has to lose and well done to Maurice and the heartiest congratulations from everybody in Laune Rangers.’
Club Chairman, John Clifford, echoed the sentiments of Russell and Griffin. ‘Obviously we’re very disappointed. At halftime, we looked to be fairly comfortable, but they got a great start to the second half and we seemed to be chasing the game thereafter. It’s very disappointing to get just two points in the second half. It’s obviously not good enough to win a county final. The two goals, which, I suppose, came against the run of play, kept us in it but we never really built on it. Liam Hassett’s loss was huge. He travels every inch of the park and obviously he was a very big loss today.’ But now the Killorglin men must prepare for a crucial club final against their rivals. ‘Our neighbours Milltown/Castlemaine will be a very tough test next Sunday and that’s another day’s work. South-Kerry, on the day, were deserving winners and Maurice Fitzgerald very much deserves his medal as well.”
Co. Senior Club Football Championship
Rd. 1 on Sun. 25th April at Strand Road: Kerins O Rahillys lost to Laune Rangers.
Semi-final on Sun. 24th Oct. at Austin Stack Park: Laune Rangers 1-13; An Ghaeltacht 1-8.
That game doubled with the Co. Senior Football Championship semi-final (see report above).
Final on Sun. 14th Nov. at Austin Stack Park: Milltown/Castlemaine 1-8; Laune Rangers 1-4.
Milltown/Castlemaine convincingly defeated their near-neighbours, Laune Rangers, for the honour of representing Kerry in the Munster Club Football Championship. Granted, Rangers had been suffering from the defeat to South-Kerry in the Co. Final on the previous Sunday, and the injuries that saw Eoin Ferris and Johnny Lynch join Liam Hassett on the sideline, but their opponents were fired up and were not going to lose that game. To be fair, Rangers were not at the races for the most part. Not convincing at the back, especially when Donal Kelliher was on the ball for Milltown/Castlemaine, second best at midfield to a powerful Mike Burke, and totally inadequate and devoid of ideas up front.
Pa O Sullivan did get Rangers off the mark in the second minute but that was to be their only score of the first half and they were a shade lucky to be within six points of their opponents at the interval (1-4 to 0-1), as the winners squandered two goal chances. Indeed, it could be said that Rangers looked pretty disinterested. They needed something to get them going on the resumption and, even though they notched three of the first four points to narrow the gap to four points entering the last quarter (1-5 to 0-4), a renaissance never looked likely to materialise. Indeed it was Donal Kelliher that powered Milltown/Castlemaine over the finishing line with three excellent points, as he showed too much skill for the ring-rusty Noel Lynch on the day. Rangers, who had increased their work-rate in that half, kept trying to the end but Brian Gannon’s clinically-dispatched goal in injury-time was only a consolation as the destiny of the spoils had been long since decided.
Laune Rangers, who were hugely below par, were best served on the day by Conor Falvey, Jerry Coffey, Barry O Sullivan, Seamie Foley, Pa O Sullivan and Mike Frank Russell.
Laune Rangers: Tony Lyons, Noel Lynch, Conor Falvey, Terence Houlihan, Paul Costello, John Sheehan, Jerry Coffey, Adrian Hassett, Barry O Sullivan, Brian Gannon (1-0), Billy O Shea, Seamie Foley, Mike Frank Russell (0-1, free), Pa O Sullivan (0-3, 1 free), Colin O Connor. Subs: Maurice Foley for A. Hassett, Karl Falvey for T. Houlihan, Pa Sheehan for C. O Connor, Jerry O Brien for B. O Shea.
Ref: John Hegarty (John Mitchels), who was replaced by Pat Sheehy (Clounmacon) after 20 minutes.
Co. Senior Football League (Div. 1)
Rd. 1 on Sun. 28th March at Gallerus: Dingle 1-12; Laune Rangers 1-12.
An injury-time point from David Geaney secured a share of the spoils for Dingle in that intensely fought encounter. It was no more than the West-Kerry side deserved because for very long periods they outplayed the visitors. However, the Killorglin side, who were renowned for their never-say-die spirit, finished very strongly, but missed a couple of gilt-edged chances that should have earned them victory. In those hectic closing minutes, Mike Frank Russell showed his marker a clean pair of heels before bearing down on goal but his low hard shot veered inches wide of the upright. Shortly afterwards, their best player, Colin O Connor, squandered a great point-scoring opportunity. Dingle enjoyed midfield advantage for most of the contest due to the dominance of Fintan Ashe and Padraig Curran. On resumption, Rangers introduced Barry O Sullivan and that brought about some improvement.
In perfect conditions, Colin O Connor opened the scoring in the 1st minute but Dingle received a great tonic in the form of a Tommy Sheehy goal a minute later. Russell, from a free, and Sean Geaney exchanged points but Rangers recorded two points without reply from Colin O Connor and Brian Gannon to level matters after eleven minutes. Tommy Sheehy edged his side in front in the 13th minute, Colin O Connor responding but, in the last 10 minutes, David Geaney pointed three frees to leave Dingle 1-6 to 0-6 up at the break.
Dingle were dealt a blow in the opening minute of the restart when a pass from Fintan Ashe was intercepted and the ball fell to MF Russell who sent Pa O Sullivan on his way to send a pile-driver to the roof of the net. Dingle shrugged that off and David Geaney pointed a free before Jerry O Brien flicked the ball over the bar for the Rangers. Approaching the final quarter, there was another exchange of points between Sean Geaney and Brian Gannon to leave the sides deadlocked at 1-8 each. It was still all to play for and Dingle were back in the driving seat following two rapid points from John Flannery and Padraig Curran. However, Rangers picked their game up and, with John Sheehan and the Lynch brothers making more of an impression, allied to the industrious play of Seamus Foley, they applied a lot of pressure on the opposition’s rearguard. For the sixth time, the sides were level after points from Colin O Connor and Seamus Foley and, a couple of minutes later, Dingle breathed a sigh of relief when MF Russell missed a goaling chance. In injury-time, Sean Geaney scored a superb point from the left wing but, within a minute, Pa O Sullivan equalised from a free that put Rangers ahead. However, Dingle’s perseverance paid off when David Geaney scored the all-important point.
At a subsequent GAC meeting, Pa O Sullivan was suspended for 4 weeks, having been sent off by the referee.
Laune Rangers: Tony Lyons, Noel Lynch, Eoin Ferris, Brendan Fitzgerald, Paul Costello, Shane O Sullivan, Terence Houlihan, Johnny Lynch, John Sheehan, Mike Frank Russell (capt.) 0-1, Billy O Shea, Jerry O Brien (0-1), Brian Gannon (0-2), Pa O Sullivan (1-2), Colin O Connor (0-5). Subs: Seamus Foley (0-1) for B. O Shea, Barry O Sullivan for S. O Sullivan, Conor Falvey for T. Houlihan.
Ref: Sean Kissane (Kerins O Rahillys).
Rd. 2 on Sat. 10th April at Killorglin: Laune Rangers 2-14; Desmonds 1-10.
Laune Rangers’ superior firepower propelled them to victory over a gritty Desmonds outfit. The eventual score-line hardly did justice to the Castleisland side that were within striking distance of their rivals until a late goal in the 54th minute by Billy O Shea put daylight between the teams. Desmonds enjoyed more than a fair share of possession but they lacked the clinical efficiency of their opponents. Their full-forward line made very little impact against Rangers’ solid fullback line of Noel Lynch, Eoin Ferris and Brendan Fitzgerald. Meanwhile, down at the other end, it was a total different story where Brian Gannon, Mike Frank Russell and Colin O Connor reaped far more dividends. Russell emerged as top scorer with nine points and two of those came from play. The crucial phase of the game came prior to the interval when the winners scored a goal and two points within a three minute period. Kieran O Sullivan gave the ball away far too easily from a fast free and no better side than Rangers to capitalise on such mistakes and they launched a counter-attack, with the ball falling eventually to John Sheehan, who rammed the ball to the net.
Russell, from a free, and Colin O Connor registered two points in the opening two minutes for Rangers. Mossie O Connell opened Desmonds’ account in the 3rd minute and Barry O Neill levelled the scores in the 6th minute. There was an exchange of points between MF Russell, from a free, and John Flynn at the end of the first quarter. Thereafter, points were exchanged on three different occasions. Pa Sheehan, Brian Gannon and MF Russell, from a free, were on target for the home side, while the impressive Barry Lynch, John Flynn and Martin Horgan raised white flags for the visitors. Up to that point, Desmonds were doing well but John Sheehan’s goal handed the initiative right back to Rangers and they drove home their advantage with two further points from Brian Gannon and MF Russell to leave the halftime score reading 1-8 to 0-6 in favour of the home side.
Within a minute of the restart, Russell converted a free and four minutes later Desmonds received a great boost when Martin Horgan sent a pile-driver to the roof of the Killorglin net. Only a goal separated the sides at that stage but Rangers lifted their game a gear or two and they doubled their advantage following a brace of points from Russell and a point from a much more active Billy O Shea. Jason McCarthy and Russell traded points from frees and, in the 15th minute, McCarthy sent another free between the posts. A couple of minutes later, Martin Horgan drove a free over the bar to narrow the deficit to four points. Colin O Connor and Pa Sheehan combined for MF Russell to find the target. In the 50th minute, Jason McCarthy converted a free for Desmonds’ last score. In the 54th minute, a long ball from substitute Barry O Sullivan found Colin O Connor and he spotted Billy O Shea and the centre half-forward sent an unstoppable shot past Desmonds’ young custodian, Gerard Reidy, for the final score of the game.
Laune Rangers: Tony Lyons, Noel Lynch, Eoin Ferris, Brendan Fitzgerald, Paul Costello, John Sheehan (1-0), Conor Falvey, Liam Hassett, Seamus Foley, Pa Sheehan (0-1), Billy O Shea (1-1), Jerry O Brien, Brian Gannon (0-2), Mike Frank Russell (0-9, 7 frees), Colin O Connor (0-1). Subs: John Edmund Murphy for J. O Brien, Terence Houlihan for P. Costello, Barry O Sullivan for B. Gannon, Maurice Foley for P. Sheehan.
Ref: Tommy Sugrue (St. Pat’s).
Rd. 3 on Sat. 17the April at Kilcummin: Kilcummin 0-9; Laune Rangers 0-10.
That was a cracking game of football between two committed sides, with neither side giving an inch and there was little to separate the sides at the end. Indeed, a draw would have been the fairer result but Laune Rangers just about deserved to take the victory, as they looked that bit more threatening in attack. Both teams were missing players through their commitment to the Kerry squad, but John Sheehan was present and he turned in a fine performance around the middle of the field. Kilcummin, by contrast, was sorely missing the services of Mike McCarthy around that area, and Rangers’ greater strength and depth showed, as they were able to compensate for the absence of their county players. But the game was well-contested throughout, despite the very poor weather conditions.
It was the visitors who opened the scoring through Barry O Sullivan but the Kilcummin side, with the advantage of the wind in the first half, came back strongly. They did well around the middle of the field and their attack was putting the Rangers’ defence under severe pressure. However, Rangers kept plugging away, Barry O Sullivan landing his second point of the game. The Kilcummin side looked far sharper in attack, using the wind to good advantage and sending the ball fast into the full-forward line. The Rangers had only one more score for the rest of the half, while DJ Fleming tortured the Rangers’ defence and scored four points without reply. Colin O Connor responded with a point but Fleming landed another to leave them in charge at the break by 0-7 to 0-3.
On the resumption, Rangers, taking full advantage of the wind, had points from John Sheehan, Barry O Sullivan and Colin O Connor to leave just one point between the sides after 10 minutes. Rangers were in the ascendancy at that stage but Kilcummin never gave up and closed down the opposition. It was a hard slog in the closing stages, with both sides having chances of winning the game. Kieran Lynch extended the Kilcummin lead but Rangers had points from Barry O Sullivan and Brian Gannon to leave the sides level with time running out. DJ Fleming, who had been quiet in that half, chipped in with a point to restore the home side’s lead but Seamie Foley responded soon after to level once more. Time was running out but a terrific ‘45’ from the impressive Barry O Sullivan gave the Rangers the lead. Kilcummin had a late chance to level it, but DJ Fleming’s free dropped short and was cleared and Rangers held out.
Laune Rangers: Tony Lyons, Noel Lynch, Eoin Ferris, Brendan Fitzgerald, Terence Houlihan, John Sheehan (0-1), Conor Falvey, Johnny Lynch, Seamie Foley (0-1), Pa Sheehan, Billy O Shea, Jerry O Brien, Brian Gannon (0-1), Barry O Sullivan (0-5), Colin O Connor (0-2).
Rd. 4 on Sun. 16th May at Lewis Road: Dr. Crokes 3-6; Laune Rangers 0-8.
A sizeable crowd sunned themselves as they watched to see what lay beneath the surface of those county championship hopefuls. People all knew about their marquee names, but they wanted to find out about their unsung heroes. However, the clash was stuttering and fragmented and Crokes were the deserving winners as they scored the goals that proved decisive. Rangers would have cause to rue their poor start, which saw them trail by 2-2 to 0-1 after 15 minutes. Nevertheless, John Evans discovered that his team, short at least six regulars, were able to push a Crokes’ side, with 12 of their championship team on view, for most of the game. It was not until the final two minutes that Crokes made the game safe for themselves with a late flurry that yielded 1-1.
Laune Rangers’ Colin O Connor, who was their only serious scoring threat, opened the scoring early on before Crokes started to get to grips around the middle and they took the lead, which they never subsequently lost, when the referee adjudged that Eoin Ferris had leg-blocked Karl McMahon’s goal-bound shot and awarded a penalty. Kieran Cremin slammed the shot home. Colm Fuller added 1-1 and David Moloney scored from a ‘45’ to put Crokes firmly in command. That was the mountain that Rangers had left for themselves and it proved insurmountable. Colin O Connor continued to give Keith McMahon a hard time and two more points came from his incisive runs. He finished one himself and was fouled by McMahon for another, which Pa O Sullivan converted. The Falveys, Karl and Conor, and Paul Costello were coming to the fore for Rangers, who were dealt a blow when midfielder Barry O Sullivan had to retire with a facial injury. At halftime, Crokes led by 2-3 to 0-3.
On the resumption, James Fleming put Crokes into a seven-point lead before Colin O Connor sent over two superb points but, in hitting the second, he seemed to aggravate an injury. He couldn’t shake it off and was eventually replaced. It was a blow to Rangers’ hopes of taking the league points. Crokes responded to O Connor’s salvo when Moloney pointed a ‘45’ and, with 15 minutes left, they still held a two-goal lead, 2-5 to 0-5. Rangers then strung together their best passage of play with points from Jerry O Brien and Karl Falvey. At that stage, the game needed a Laune Rangers’ goal and it almost came when O Brien burst through only to see his effort hit the butt of the post. From the resultant passage of play, Pa O Sullivan swung over a lovely score to leave just a goal in it, 2-5 to 0-8. However, Rangers’ hopes were shattered with that late Crokes’ flurry.
Laune Rangers: Tony Lyons, Conor Falvey, Eoin Ferris, Brendan Fitzgerald, Shane O Sullivan, Paul Costello, Karl Falvey (0-1), John Sheehan, Barry O Sullivan, Pa Sheehan, Billy O Shea, Maurice Foley, Pa O Sullivan (0-2, 1 free), Jerry O Brien (0-1), Colin O Connor (0-4). Subs: Jerry Coffey for B. O Sullivan (inj.), Andrew O Regan for C. O Connor (inj.), Mark Conway for S. O Sullivan.
Ref: Tom Lynch (Kerins O Rahillys).
Rd. 5 on Sat. 5th June at Killorglin: Laune Rangers 0-10; Austin Stacks 3-9.
That was a tremendous game of free-flowing football and Stacks won, mainly thanks to a two-goal salvo by Padraig McCannon. Both sides were without several regulars, but Rangers were worst hit and the absence of county stars Liam Hassett and Mike Frank Russell really told in the end. Stacks dominated the key positions, especially at midfield, where Wayne Quillinan and Billy Curtin ruled the roost over the Killorglin partnership of Barry O Sullivan and Maurice Foley.
The home side took the initiative early in the game and led by four points after 10 minutes, courtesy of scores by Maurice Foley, Pa O Sullivan (2) and Billy O Shea. At that stage, the Killorglin outfit was really all over the visitors but, gradually, the Tralee side got back into contention. They got their first goal in the 11th minute, when McCannon fisted a breaking ball to the net. Rangers were not deterred by that set-back and points by Pa O Sullivan, Billy O Shea and Shane O Sullivan, in between a Mike Hogan point for Stacks, put Rangers three points clear with 19 minutes gone. Billy Curtin and McCannon added a brace of points before the latter got his second goal. With four minutes left in the half, Tony Lyons denied Pa Laide a certain goal with a stunning save. Pa Sheehan kept Rangers in the hunt with a point and Stacks led at the break by 2-3 to 0-8.
Rangers had a tonic start to the second half when Pa O Sullivan levelled the scores after 14 seconds. Mike Hogan replied for Stacks but Pa O Sullivan levelled for Rangers three minutes later. However, that was Rangers’ last score and the remainder of the game belonged to the Stacks. Best for the Rangers were Paul Costello, Shane O Sullivan, Billy O Shea and Pa O Sullivan.
Laune Rangers: Tony Lyons, Brendan Fitzgerald, Paul Costello, Karl Falvey, Jerry Coffey, John Sheehan, Shane O Sullivan (0-1), Barry O Sullivan, Maurice Foley (0-1), Seamie Foley, Billy O Shea (0-2), Jerry O Brien, Pa Sheehan (0-1), Pa O Sullivan (0-5, 1 free), Colin O Connor. Subs: Terence Houlihan for K. Falvey, Paul O Connor for M. Foley, P. Crowley for B. Fitzgerald, Anthony Moriarty for S. Foley.
Ref: Tom Lynch (Kerins O Rahillys).
Rd. 6 on Sat. 3rd July at Gallerus: An Ghaeltacht 1-11; Laune Rangers 1-8.
Both sides were severely under-strength for that game. The rest period for inter-county players because of the pending Munster football final robbed both sides of their county players. However, to their credit, both sides worked hard on the day and produced some excellent football, with the Gaeltacht side going away deservedly with the victory. In an evenly contested first half, Billy O Shea opened the scoring, and Barry O Sullivan and Jerry O Brien followed with similar points. It was looking good for the Killorglin side, especially when Pa Sheehan cut through and blasted to the back of the Gaeltacht net. However, the home side struck back with a brace of points from Tomás Ó Conchúir and a couple of frees from JJ Corduff. Late scores from Muiris Mac Gearailt and Ronán Ó Flatharta left Rangers 1-6 to 0-7 up at the break.
The second half proved to be a well-fought battle, with both sides having periods of dominance. Then the Gaeltacht side managed to lift their game and get the scores to pull past the Rangers. Points by T. Ó Conchúir (2) and JJ Corduff gave the home side the lead. It took the visitors 20 minutes to register their first score, Pa Sheehan landing a fine point. Tomás Ó Muircheartaigh crashed the ball to the net to decide the issue.
Laune Rangers: Tony Lyons, Conor Falvey, Eoin Ferris, Terence Houlihan, Paul Costello, Jerry Coffey, Brendan Fitzgerald, Barry O Sullivan, Shane O Sullivan, Seamus Foley, Maurice Foley, Jerry O Brien, Billy O Shea, Pa O Sullivan, Colin O Connor.
Rd. 7 on Sat. 24th July at Killorglin: Laune Rangers 1-20; Sneem 1-7.
Laune Rangers moved up the league table as they put bottom-of-the-table Sneem to the sword. In fairness, the visitors battled hard in the first half and kept in touch, leading for most of the second quarter after getting a fine goal but they could not maintain their momentum in the second half as Mike Frank Russell and Brian Gannon cut loose and Rangers hit 1-11 without reply. Rangers had John Sheehan, Eoin Ferris and the Falvey brothers, Karl and Conor, in resolute form at the back while Johnny Lynch and Barry O Sullivan always held the upper hand at midfield. They lost Billy O Shea through injury midway through the first half but his replacement, Brian Gannon, looked very sharp and ended up with a personal haul of 1-4. With Mike Frank Russell and Liam Hassett punishing every Sneem mistake in the second half, the writing was on the wall long before the end.
Liam Hassett and Colin O Connor had Rangers in front with early points but Sneem levelled with fine efforts from Jimmy O Brien and Michael Galvin. Liam Hassett and the influential Johnny Lynch had the home side in front by 0-4 to 0-2 after 10 minutes. However, Sneem rallied and Mick Galvin sent over a superb point in the 14th minute and then Rangers lost Billy O Shea through injury. Sneem then hit the front as they prised open the Rangers’ defence in the 16th minute when Jimmy O Brien rifled the ball to the roof of the net. MF Russell and Johnny Lynch levelled for Rangers by the 20th minute but Ronan Hussey restored the South-Kerry side’s slender lead. Pa O Sullivan was at the end of a Liam Hassett pass to grab a 27th minute equaliser. Jimmy O Brien and Brian Gannon swapped points to leave the sides deadlocked at the interval – 0-8 to 1-5.
O Brien gave Sneem the lead in the opening minute of the second half and they might have felt that they were in with a chance of causing a shock but it turned out to be just a mirage as Rangers cut loose. They simply took over in every department and, with MF Russell moving like a gazelle, Sneem were shredded without any mercy. It was all so very embarrassing as Russell hit three points in a row, Barry O Sullivan then chipped in with a long range effort and Russell made it 0-13 to 1-6 in the 42nd minute. Then Brian Gannon entered the scene as the carnage continued and he fired over three points in a row and two more from Russell saw Rangers disappear into the setting sun. Gannon was on hand to blast the ball to the Sneem net five minutes from time. O Brien’s point was the losers’ only reply but it was missed by most of the crowd who were on their way home.
Laune Rangers: Tony Lyons, Conor Falvey, Eoin Ferris, Terence Houlihan, Paul Costello, John Sheehan, Karl Falvey, Johnny Lynch (0-2), Barry O Sullivan (0-1), Pa Sheehan, Liam Hassett 90-2), Billy O Shea, MF Russell (0-8, 2 frees), Pa O Sullivan (0-1), Colin O Connor (0-2). Subs: Brian Gannon (1-4) for B. O Shea (inj.), Jerry O Brien for P. Sheehan.
Ref: Jim O Connor (Scartaglin).
Rd. 8 on Sat. 7th Aug. at Killorglin: Laune Rangers 1-12; Annascaul 1-10.
That game was played in a sporting manner but it turned extremely ugly in the closing minutes when a disputed line ball near the stand side sparked off a fight involving several players from both sides. Following that incident, the referee sent off Adrian O Donnell from Annascaul. Play resumed but, shortly afterwards as Laune Rangers were attacking, another skirmish took place at the other end of the field involving a number of players. After consultation with his umpires, the referee gave Annascaul’s Sean Farrell and Rangers’ Jerry Coffey their marching orders. The aggression did not end there and, immediately after the final whistle, another skirmish erupted near the stand side, involving several players, which lasted for about a minute before calm was restored. A few minutes prior to those very unpleasant scenes, Terence Houlihan of Laune Rangers had been dismissed for a second bookable offence. That activity overshadowed the action on the pitch, which saw Annascaul slip up in their attempt to stay in contention for a place in the League final.
Laune Rangers had the assistance of a strong wind in the first half and raced into a five-point lead after 3 minutes of play. Colin O Connor and Pa O Sullivan scored a point each and Brian Gannon capitalised on a bit of hesitancy in the Annascaul defence to score a goal. Geni Farrell, from a free, opened the scoring for the visitors in the 4th minute but Pa O Sullivan scored two consecutive points from play before Farrell got a point back from a free. Brian Gannon and Farrell, from a free, traded points before Johnny O Driscoll drove the ball, which had rebounded off a post, to the net. Rangers responded and Kerry U-21 player, Seamie Foley, who had a superb game for the Killorglin team, scored two successive points and, in the 26th minute, Jerry O Brien found the target to leave the halftime score at 1-8 to 1-3 in favour of the home team.
Rangers upped their game on the restart, especially at midfield, where Johnny Lynch and Maurice Foley were prepared to drive forward. Sean Farrell (2) and Geni Farrell, from a free, raised white flags for the visitors but Brian Gannon and Pa O Sullivan, from a free, were on target for the Rangers. Genie Farrell converted another free and, towards the end of the third quarter, Brendan O Driscoll narrowed the gap to three points. Rangers again responded and Seamie Foley broke through to score his third point and Annascaul goalkeeper, Gearoid O Shea, denied Colin O Connor from close range. Emmett Kennedy and Neil Sheehy scored points to bring the margin down to two points. However, the situation turned very sour after that and Rangers held on to win.
At a subsequent GAC meeting, Jerry Coffey was suspended for 4 weeks.
Laune Rangers: Tony Lyons, Conor Falvey, Eoin Ferris, Terence Houlihan, Paul Costello, Jerry Coffey, Karl Falvey, Johnny Lynch, Maurice Foley, Seamie Foley (0-3), Jerry O Brien (0-1), Pa Sheehan, Brian Gannon (1-2), Pa O Sullivan (0-5), Colin O Connor (0-1). Subs: Barry O Sullivan for J. O Brien.
Ref: Ger Lynch (Ballymac).
Rd. 9 on Sat. 21st Aug. at Killorglin: Laune Rangers 0-10; St. Mary’s 0-9.
Laune Rangers had to withstand a spirited challenge from St. Mary’s to secure the home points in that game. The visitors tried very hard to gain something from the encounter to ease their relegation concerns and were unlucky not to have at least earned a share of the points. In a very evenly contested match, the sides were level on four occasions in the second half. The home side held on precariously to their one-point lead with two minutes of normal time remaining. St. Mary’s exerted a lot of pressure and they were presented with two scoring chances but Austin Constable’s first effort from a free dropped short and his second effort from long range went wide of the far upright.
The opening 17 minutes were dominated by Rangers. Conor Falvey, who was one of their most impressive players, Paul Costello and Shane O Sullivan were very sharp at the back. Johnny Lynch and Barry O Sullivan were on top at midfield, while Seamie Foley, Brian Gannon and Colin O Connor posed a threat in the full-forward line. Seamie Foley and Brian Gannon, from a free, had Rangers in front after six minutes. In the ninth minute, the hard-working Pa Sheehan created the opening for Colin O Connor, whose low effort was saved by Seamus Fitzgerald at the expense of a ‘45’, which O Connor converted. The home side piled on the pressure and Brian Gannon shot two further points, one from a free to lead by 0-5 to 0-0. St. Mary’s found it difficult to get any sort of rhythm into their game but they gradually got into their stride. Constable got their opening score, a pointed free in the 23rd minute. Daniel O Sullivan kicked two good points from tight angles and Gearoid Constable was also on target to leave Rangers leading by 0-5 to 0-4 at the break.
Within a minute of the restart, Austin Constable equalised from a free. Rangers were without a score for 18 minutes, but Colin O Connor, after a great run along the sideline, broke the barren spell with an excellent point. Two points from Constable and Darren Corcoran edged the visiting side in front for the first time in the game and there was an exchange of points from Pa Sheehan and Corcoran, from a free, as the game entered the final quarter. Just when Mary’s looked like asserting their authority, Rangers upped their game and scored three successive points from Jerry O Brien, Colin O Connor and Brian Gannon to propel them into a two-point lead. In the 58th minute Austin Constable kicked a great long-range point from the left wing but, unfortunately for him, he missed two subsequent efforts and Rangers held out.
Laune Rangers: Tony Lyons, Conor Falvey, Eoin Ferris, Terence Houlihan, Paul Costello, Shane O Sullivan, Karl Falvey, Johnny Lynch, Barry O Sullivan, Pa Sheehan (0-1), Jerry O Brien (0-1), Maurice Foley, Brian Gannon (0-4), Seamie Foley 0-1), Colin O Conor (0-3).
Ref: Johnny Cahill (Rathmore).
Rd. 10 on Sat. 11th Sept. at Strand Road: Kerins O Rahillys 1-11; Laune Rangers 0-12.
Laune Rangers, with an under-strength team, were just pipped at the post in that game. It was a very close affair but, in the closing minutes, the home side piled on the pressure and were rewarded with scores. The most crucial of those was when Mark Fitzgerald was fouled in the ‘square’ and slotted home the penalty himself. That was the score that won the game but Rangers would curse themselves for having missed a number of good scoring chances, the woodwork saving O Rahillys on a number of occasions. The likes of Mike Frank Russell, Liam Hassett and John Sheehan were badly missed, but the Killorglin side were pleased with the efforts of their replacements.
With the advantage of the wind, O Rahillys were fancied to start the brighter but the Killorglin side worked hard and kept the home side at bay. Johnny Lynch and Jerry O Brien gave good ball into the Pa O Sullivan, Brian Gannon and Colin O Connor. Pa O Sullivan kicked two points and Colin O Connor added another. O Rahillys rallied for some good scores to leave them leading by 0-6 to 0-5 at the interval.
The Rangers’ good form continued early in the second half when Pa O Sullivan and Colin O Connor kicked two good scores. O Rahillys struggled to get in touch with the visitors’ attack, which was working hard. However, in the final 10 minutes, the O Rahillys challenge finally came good and Pat Madden and Mark Fitzgerald kicked some lovely points. Victory was still out of reach until the final penalty, which gave the home side the win.
Laune Rangers: Tony Lyons, Conor Falvey, Eoin Ferris, Terence Houlihan, Paul Costello, Shane O Sullivan, Karl Falvey, Johnny Lynch, Barry O Sullivan, Pa Sheehan, Jerry O Brien, Seamie Foley, Brian Gannon, Pa O Sullivan, Colin O Connor.
Rd. 11 on Sun. 17th Oct. at Killorglin: Laune Rangers 3-17; Dromid Pearses 0-7.
Laune Rangers finished in 5th place in Div. 1 with 13 points.
Kerryman Centenary Cup Sevens Tournament
A group, consisting of Laune Rangers, Beaufort, Cromane and Glenbeigh/Glencar played in Killorglin on Wed. 30th June.
Molyneaux Cup
Rd. 1 on Fri. 20th Aug. at Killorglin: Laune Rangers ‘B’ defeated Gaeltacht ‘B’.
Semi-final: Laune Rangers ‘B’ 1-13; Emmett’s ‘B’ 0-6.
Final on Sun. 21st Nov. at Beaufort: Dr. Crokes ‘B’ 2-15; Laune Rangers ‘B’ 1-7.
Dr. Crokes won that game with something to spare. The small Laune Rangers’ group of supporters generally acknowledged their rivals’ superiority. None argued that any injustice had been done. A far superior Dr. Crokes side ran out worthy winners. Their clever forwards played as a unit. By contrast, Laune Rangers’ forwards, living off less possession, seemed to play as isolated individuals. The lack of teamwork made the task so much easier of the Crokes’ defence.
Playing conditions at Beaufort were better than expected after the heavy weekend rain. Crokes were quickly out of the traps and led by three points after four minutes thanks to efforts from Kieran O Leary, Mike O Grady and John Payne. Laune Rangers slowly gained a foothold in the match through the accurate free-taking of Francis Russell. Both he and Podge Foley began to make inroads into the Crokes’ defence and, when the latter featured a wonderful pass to Russell, he bisected the posts from 30 yards. However, twice in that game Crokes were to score goals at crucial moments. Both times they put a stop to Rangers’ periods of progress. The first goal in the 12th minute came from Edmund O Sullivan. Kieran O Leary played a simple ball into the edge of the square and O Sullivan made no mistake. Shortly after, Mike O Grady pointed from a free to leave Crokes leading by 1-4 to 0-3. For the next 10 minutes, Crokes held the upper-hand and Brian O Donoghue sent over another point. There were further warning signs for Rangers. Goalkeeper, Vinny Costello, had already made a point-blank save from Brian Looney and another from Rory O Sullivan. Then, the Killorglin side came back into the game through the sterling efforts of midfielder, Andrew O Regan. His pass to John Houlihan drew a foul on the 14-yard line and Russell scored their fifth point to leave a goal between the sides. An O Grady free brought an immediate response from Russell. Then the most crucial score of the match came almost on halftime. With Laune Rangers having gained some momentum, Dr. Crokes’ Mike O Grady lobbed a high, hopeful ball into the square. With no one around him, the Rangers’ goalkeeper, Costello, allowed the ball to squeeze under his body into the net. The Killorglin side looked deflated and O Grady added another pointed free to leave the halftime score at 2-7 to 0-6.
It was an uphill struggle for Rangers. Sensing that on the resumption, Crokes pressed forward and O Leary, O Sullivan and Looney pointed. It wasn’t until the 16th minute that Laune Rangers got their first score of the second half, when Tim O Regan struck a crisp left-footer from 25 yards. Then, from nowhere, they got a surprise goal. Joe Healy fed Francis Russell, who in turn slipped a diagonal ball to John Houlihan and his shot across the goalkeeper found the corner of the net. However, that proved to be the Killorglin side’s last score of the game. As they pushed up the field in search of further goals, it left their defensive unit exposed and two points by O Grady, one by O Sullivan and a punched effort from O Grady opened up a 10-point lead. In injury time, Kieran O Leary completed the scoring with a point.
Laune Rangers: Vinnie Costello, Redmond Fitzgerald, Kieran Crowley, Shane Harmon, John O Sullivan, John F. O Brien, Gerard O Sullivan, Tim O Regan (0-1), Andrew O Regan, James O Shea, Joe Healy, Jonathan Carey, Francis Russell (0-5, 4 frees), Podge Foley (0-1), John Houlihan (1-0). Subs: Aidan Lynch, Rodi Healy, Stuart Delaney (all played).
Ref: Mike Curran (Dromid Pearses).
Co. Senior Football League (Div. 4)
Rd. 1 on Sun. 28th March at Killorglin: Laune Rangers ‘B’ 0-10; Cordal 1-7.
Rd. 2 on Sun. 11th April at Ballylongford: Ballylongford 0-11; Laune Rangers ‘B’ 2-11.
Podge Foley was sent off during the game and, subsequently, received a 4-weeks’ suspension.
Rd. 3 on Sat. 17th April at Killorglin: Laune Rangers ‘B’ 1-8; Cromane 1-10.
Rd. 4 on Sat. 15th May at Killorglin: Laune Rangers ‘B’ 1-10; Scartaglin 0-7.
Rd. 5 on Sun. 6th June at Moyvane: Moyvane 1-15; Laune Rangers ‘B’ 3-8.
Rd. 6 on Sun. 4th July at Killorglin: Laune Rangers ‘B’ 1-7; Beale 0-14.
Rd. 7 on Sun. 25th July at Ardfert: Ardfert 3-9; Laune Rangers ‘B’ 0-9.
Rd. 9 on Sun. 8th Aug: Brosna 1-9; Laune Rangers ‘B’ 0-5.
Ger Purcell received a straight red card for assaulting the referee (Stephen Mulvihill). However, he wrote to the GAC refuting that he had assaulted the referee but admitted that he had verbally abused him for sending him off wrongfully. Aidan O Sullivan came on a substitute for Francis Russell.
Rd. 8 on Sun. 22nd Aug. at Killorglin: Laune Rangers ‘B’ 0-11; Tuosist 1-8.
Rd. 10 on Fri. 10th Sept. at Killorglin: Laune Rangers ‘B’ 3-8; St. Senan’s 0-4.
Rd. 11 on Sat. 6th Nov. at the Spa: Churchill 2-8; Laune Rangers ‘B’ 0-14.
Barrett Cup
Rd. 1 on Fri. 20th Aug. at Killorglin: Laune Rangers ‘C’ defeated Firies ‘B’.
Quarter-final on Fri. 3rd Sept. at Kenmare: Kenmare ‘B’ 3-5; Laune Rangers ‘C’ 4-8.
Semi-final on Sun. 14th Nov. at JP O Sullivan Park: Ardfert ‘B’ 4-8; Laune Rangers ‘C’ 2-11.
Co. Junior Football League Div. 2
Rd. 2 on Fri. 14th May at Cahersiveen: St. Mary’s ‘B’ 2-10; Laune Rangers ‘C’ 1-8.
Rd. 3 on Fri. 21st May at Killorglin: Laune Rangers ‘C’ Spa ‘B’.
Rd. 4 on Fri. 28th May at Sneem: Sneem ‘B’ 3-17; Laune Rangers ‘C’ 4-10.
Rd. 5 on Fri. 4th June at Connolly Park: Austin Stacks ‘C’ 3-8; Laune Rangers ‘C’ 1-4.
Rd. 6 on Fri. 11th June at Killorglin: Laune Rangers ‘C’ Gneeveguilla ‘B’.
Rd. 7 on Fri. 25th June at Direen: Legion ‘B’ Laune Rangers ‘C’.
Laune Rangers ‘C’: Eddie Birmingham, Robert Moriarty, Ger O Sullivan (twin), Tomás Curran, Paul Sheehan, Shane Harmon, Kevin Sheehan, Tim O Regan, Podge Foley, Joe Hayes, Paul O Brien, Michael Ledwith, David O Sullivan, John Foley, John O Donnell.
Rd. 1 on Fri. 2nd July at Beaufort: Beaufort ‘B’ Laune Rangers ‘C’.
Mid-Kerry Senior Football Championship
Semi-final on Sun. 28th Nov. at Beaufort: Beaufort 1-5; Laune Rangers 1-11.
That game did not live up to its pre-match expectations as Laune Rangers had a flattering victory, despite fielding an under-strength team. Rangers commenced in determined style and they had a tonic goal after two minutes, when Mike Frank Russell’s 13m free went all the way to the net. Beaufort responded with a Dan Doona free in the 5th minute but Rangers had two quick points from Shane O Sullivan and Mike Frank Russell to lead by 1-2 to 0-1 after 10 minutes. Gary McGrath pulled one back for the home side but then Rangers hit a purple patch, scoring four unanswered points from Pa O Sullivan (free), Seamus Foley, MF Russell and Brian Gannon. Paul Costello and Jerry Coffey were the launch-pads for numerous attacks, with their fielding, in particular, being a high-light. Two late frees by Dan Doona left the score at halftime 1-6 to 0-4 in favour of the visitors.
On the restart, the game was over as a contest by the 40th minute, as Laune Rangers added 1-5 without reply, Pa O Sullivan, who had a great game at full-forward, scoring 1-2, with Brian Gannon, MF Russell and Jerry O Brien adding a point each. Thereafter, it was a case of going through the motions. Beaufort battled on and added 1-1 through Vincent O Donoghue but Rangers responded with a point from Pa O Sullivan.
Laune Rangers: Tony Lyons, Conor Falvey, Paul Costello, Terence Houlihan, Karl Falvey, Shane O Sullivan (0-1), Jerry Coffey, Adrian Hassett, Seamie Foley (0-1), Jerry O Brien (0-1), Billy O Shea Maurice Foley, Brian Gannon (0-2), Pa O Sullivan (1-3), Mike Frank Russell (1-3, 1-1 frees) capt. Subs: Barry O Sullivan, Redmond Fitzgerald (both played).
Ref: Pat Sheehy (Clounmacon).
Final on Sun. 12th Dec. at Killorglin: Laune Rangers 0-10; Milltown/Castlemaine 1-6.
John O Dowd reported for the Kerryman on the game as follows: “We won’t lie down. That was the emphatic message coming from the Laune Rangers’ camp on Sunday evening after Mike Frank Russell lifted the Michael O Connor Memorial Cup following his side’s narrow victory over their great rivals Milltown/Castlemaine, in the Mid-Kerry SFC final in the JP O Sullivan Park, Killorglin. After losing the county championship and the club deciders, this was a massive game for John Evans and his men and, when the final whistle blew, there was a whole release of emotion, as what was threatening to be a year of terrible disappointments ended in a joyous note. While the prize won on the day is a divisional championship three-in-a-row, the psychological importance of this achievement cannot be discounted. To have lost a third successive big final would have left the Laune Rangers’ players with an awful lot of self-doubt entering 2005.
In the end, they deserved to emerge on the winning side because their opponents could not register a single score from play in the entire second half and such a statistic was bound to come against Milltown/Castlemaine in a game where there was little enough to choose between the sides. Laune Rangers, also, had the facility to introduce men like John Sheehan, Colin O Connor, Liam Hassett and Noel Lynch during the course of the second period and that was hugely influential to the outcome of the game, as was the scoring ability of captain Russell up front. On the other hand, the losers were almost exclusively dependent on Donal Kelliher for attacking inspiration and, while the very promising forward had the Rangers’ defence at sixes and sevens whenever he got the ball, he just did not have enough support. Kelliher was involved in all but one of his team’s scores and that says it all about his contribution.
Indeed, after Russell had fired over a left-footed beauty to open the scoring, Kelliher rattled the net in the second minute when he was fed by Colm Kerins and he gave Tony Lyons no chance with a right-foot bullet. The same player quickly added a lovely point from play and the Rangers’ defence knew there and then that they would be in for a tough time. Conor Falvey was soon switched onto the Milltown livewire but he remained a huge threat throughout. Saying that, the Killorglin men began to motor, with Paul Costello and Shane O Sullivan extremely solid at the back, Seamie Foley and Adrian Hassett workmanlike around the middle and Russell buzzing in attack alongside the O Sullivan brothers. Rangers were ahead by the end of the opening quarter (0-5 to 1-1) and there were only two more scores from there to the interval as Milltown/Castlemaine wasted several opportunities, especially from placed balls.
So, Rangers had the slight cushion on the resumption (0-6 to 1-2) and, with every score having to be extremely hard-earned, the game never really opened up either in the second half with defences again to the fore. Substitute Derek Twiss fired over two frees to give Mike Hickey’s team the lead but another excellent Russell free had the sides level entering the last quarter (0-7 to 1-4). It was at this stage that Evans sprung Liam Hassett to follow O Connor and Sheehan and, though Gavin Wrenn pointed a free to restore the lead for the visitors, three unanswered points from Russell (2) and Sheehan was the deciding period of the game. Wrenn added another free for Milltown/Castlemaine before the finish but they ran out of time for an equaliser and had to watch their neighbours being presented with the winning trophy.
Overall, a decent game of football and one that Laune Rangers had to win. In doing so, they have taken something from the season and will no doubt be back as strong as ever in the county championship next year. On the day, they owed most to captain Russell, Billy O Shea, Pa O Sullivan, Seamie Foley, Shane O Sullivan, Paul Costello, Terence Houlihan, Karl Falvey and sub John Sheehan.”
After the game, the man-of-the-match award, sponsored by Edso Crowley, of the Fishery bar, was presented to Mike Frank Russell.
Laune Rangers: Tony Lyons, Conor Falvey, Paul Costello, Terence Houlihan, Karl Falvey, Shane O Sullivan, Jerry Coffey, Seamie Foley, Adrian Hassett, Jerry O Brien, Billy O Shea, Maurice Foley, Mike Frank Russell (0-6, 3 frees) capt, Pa O Sullivan (0-2, frees), Barry O Sullivan (0-1). Subs: Colin O Connor for P. O Sullivan (inj.), John Sheehan (0-1) for M. Foley, Liam Hassett for A. Hassett, Noel Lynch for J. O Brien, Karl Falvey, Redmond Fitzgerald, Podge Foley, Vincent Costello.
Ref: Jim O Connor (Scartaglin).
Laune Rangers – 2004 Mid-Kerry Senior Football Champions
Front: Adrian Hassett, Vincent Costello, Geoffrey O Mahony, Conor Falvey, Tony Lyons, Mike Frank Russell (capt.), Shane O Sullivan, Noel Lynch, Karl Falvey, Pat O Shea (medic), John Houlihan.
Back: Cian Evans, John O Donnell (Selector), John Evans (Trainer), Redmond Fitzgerald, Paul Costello, Billy O Shea, Colin O Connor, John Sheehan, Pa O Sullivan, Barry O Sullivan, Jerry O Brien, Maurice Foley, Terence Houlihan, Seamie Foley, Liam Hassett, Podge Foley, Eoin Ferris, John Griffin (Selector).
Mike Frank Russell (captain) raised the O Connor Cup aloft.
Mid-Kerry Senior Football League
There were 2 sections and Laune Rangers were grouped with Beaufort and Milltown/Castlemaine.
Rd. 1 on Sun. 15th Feb. at Beaufort: Beaufort 0-8; Laune Rangers 1-14.
Laune Rangers sent out a message of real intent with that victory against a youthful Beaufort outfit. The home side opened the scoring through a Damien Breen point. Rangers responded well with points from play from Pa O Sullivan and Johnny Lynch. Pa O Sullivan then added a pointed free before Karl Falvey, playing at wing-back, soloed through to score a peach of a goal. Beaufort replied with two points from play – from Damien Breen and Vincent O Donoghue – but again Rangers were able to restore their lead with points from Colin O Connor and Pa O Sullivan. Damien Breen closed the scoring of that half with a point to leave Rangers ahead by 1-5 to 0-4 at the interval.
At the start of the second moiety, Brendan Breen kicked a point but, after that, it was all Rangers as they cruised ahead with points from Colin O Connor (2), Pa O Sullivan (3) and Tim O Regan. Beaufort hit two consolation points from James O Reilly and Damien Breen but, at that stage, the issue was well beyond doubt.
Laune Rangers: Tony Lyons, Brendan Fitzgerald, Eoin Ferris, Mark Conway, Terence Houlihan, Paul Costello, Karl Falvey (1-0), Johnny Lynch (0-1), Andrew O Regan, Pa Sheehan (0-1), Billy O Shea (0-2), John Edmund Murphy, Brian Gannon, Pa O Sullivan (0-6), Colin O Connor (0-3). Subs: Tim O Regan (0-1) for J.E. Murphy, Paul O Connor for C. O Connor, Jonathan Carey for A. O Regan, Redmond Fitzgerald for B. Fitzgerald, A. O Sullivan for K. Falvey.
Ref: Brendan Twiss (Milltown/Castlemaine).
Rd. 2 on Sun. 29th Feb. at Killorglin (Cloon): Laune Rangers 2-12; Milltown/Castlemaine 0-8.
Gavin Wrenn opened the scoring with a point from play before Laune Rangers added three unanswered scores from Pa O Sullivan (two frees). Rangers were well on top at that stage and added further points from Mike Frank Russell and Brian Gannon. Ian Twiss replied for the visitors. Colin O Conor scored a great goal after a pass from Liam Hassett as Rangers continued to press with a pointed free from MF Russell. Seconds later, the same player kicked a peach of a point from play, which was followed by another from Shane O Sullivan. Ian Twiss closed the scoring in the first half with a point to leave the home side leading by 1-8 to 0-3 at the break.
Three minutes into the second half, Mike Frank Russell struck for a great goal to all but put the game beyond Milltown/Castlemaine. However, they responded and Ian Twiss clawed back two points before MF Russell converted a ‘45’ to leave his side ahead by 2-9 to 0-5. Substitute Sean Burke reduced the margin and Derek Twiss also scored a point. In the last 10 minutes, however, it was all Rangers with Pa O Sullivan kicking two points and Pa Sheehan one, all coming from play. Colm Kerins kicked a late consolation point for the losers.
Laune Rangers: Tony Lyons, Noel Lynch, Eoin Ferris, Brendan Fitzgerald, Terence Houlihan, Shane O Sullivan (0-1), Paul Costello, Liam Hassett, John Sheehan, Seamie Foley, Brian Gannon (0-1), Pa Sheehan (0-1), Michael F. Russell (1-3, 1 free, 1 ‘45’), Pa O Sullivan (0-6, 2 frees), Colin O Connor (1-0). Subs: John O Sullivan for T. Houlihan, Andrew O Regan for S. Foley.
Ref: Michael Healy (Cromane).
Final on Sun. 3rd Oct. at Beaufort: Laune Rangers 1-12; Milltown/Castlemaine 1-11.
An injury-time pointed free from the trusty boot of county star Mike Frank Russell, gave Laune Rangers victory in that exciting and full-blooded final. In doing so, they recaptured the title they last had won in 2001, while they denied their opponents a three-in-a-row. They were made work extremely hard for a victory, that didn’t look on three-quarters way through a game that was played with high intensity. Rangers had dug deep to turn a four-point deficit into the narrowest of winning margins right at the death.
Rangers started without the services of Johnny Lynch and Billy O Shea. Milltown/Castlemaine opened the scoring when Gavin Wrenn pointed a free in the opening minutes. Donal Kelliher added another a minute later, from a ‘45’, as the defending champions made a bright start. Mike Frank Russell opened the Rangers’ account, with a fifth minute point, before the first real opportunity of a goal came. A Liam Hassett pass put the speedy Colin O Connor clear and his pace carried him past the defence clear on goal. However, he put his effort left and wide. Pa O Sullivan equalised with a spectacular side-line kick before a Derek Twiss pointed free once again restored Milltown/Castlemaine’s lead. The boys in green were playing well at that stage but some wayward shooting meant that they couldn’t capitalise on their supremacy. Pa O Sullivan and Ian Twiss swapped points to leave the Milltown side ahead by 0-4 to 0-3 at the quarter mark. The first goal of the game came in the 16th minute and what a superb goal it was. Mike Frank Russell got possession out the wing and played an accurate pass to Pa O Sullivan, who slipped his marker to deftly chip the ball to the back of the net. Mike Frank Russell and Colin O Connor added further points for Rangers but the Twiss brothers, Ian (2) and Derek, responded for Milltown to leave the winners ahead at the break by just one point – 1-5 to 0-7.
The opening ten minutes of the second half saw all that change. Another Donal Kelliher ‘45’ saw the teams level and then Milltown/Castlemaine struck for a goal. The defence broke up a Rangers’ attack and cleared the ball to Shane Murphy. He delivered the ball long towards goal and Gavin Wrenn won the race between the backs and the advancing Tony Lyons to slot the ball to the net. Ian Twiss added a point from a free and the defending champions found themselves ahead by four (1-8 to 1-5) after 40 minutes play. Laune Rangers, noted for their tenacity, were not out of the game by a long shot. Paul Costello pointed after a quick free and Brian Gannon added another before being replaced by Billy O Shea. It was all Rangers after that. A magnificent left-legged effort by Mike Frank Russell brought them closer and a Seamus Foley point restored parity with nine minutes left. The Blues continued their surge and points by Terence Houlihan and Colin O Connor saw them regain the advantage with time running out. However, Milltown/Castlemaine were not going to relinquish their title without a fight and threw everything forward. They were rewarded with points by Ian Twiss and Colm Kerins and those points levelled matters with one minute left to play. It was still level at the end of normal time but, two minutes into injury-time, Rangers were awarded a free at a difficult angle, out on the dressing-room side. In critical and crucial situations, there was no better player to have on your side than Mike Frank Russell and he stepped up to split the posts, much to the delight of the Rangers’ supporters.
Over the hour, very little separated the sides and probably on the day a draw would have been a fairer result. However, Rangers kept on battling to the bitter end and were rewarded with the last-gasp winner. They were best served by Terence Houlihan, Jerry Coffey and Paul Costello in the backs, midfielders John Sheehan and Barry O Sullivan, and Seamus Foley, Pa O Sullivan and Mike Frank Russell in the forwards. The man-of-the-match award, sponsored by Clifford’s Tavern, Killorglin, was given to Barry O Sullivan. A minute’s silence was observed before the game in memory of Noel Clifford, Dromin, son of Laune Rangers’ Chairman, John Clifford, who had died in Sydney.
Laune Rangers: Tony Lyons, Conor Falvey, Eoin Ferris, Terence Houlihan (0-1), Paul Costello (0-1), Jerry Coffey, Karl Falvey, John Sheehan, Barry O Sullivan, Seamus Foley (0-1), Liam Hassett, Colin O Connor (0-2), Brian Gannon (0-1), Pa O Sullivan (1-2), Mike Frank Russell (0-4) capt. Subs: Noel Lynch, Billy O Shea, Jerry O Brien (all played).
Ref: Tommy Gilligan (Valentia).
Mid-Kerry ‘B’ Football Championship
The following players were ineligible to play in that competition: a player that played in the 2003 Co. Senior Football Championship, a player that played in the 2003 Mid-Kerry Senior Football Championship or any player that played with Kerry at any grade, unless any of the above were regraded. Clubs were allowed to re-grade a maximum of 3 players.
Rd. 1 on Tues. 6th April at Killorglin: Laune Rangers ‘B’ 3-7; Keel ‘B’ 0-4.
Rd. 2 on Tues. 13th April at Cloon: Laune Rangers ‘B’ 1-6; Beaufort ‘B’ 0-6.
Rd. 3 on Tues. 27th April at Milltown: Milltown/Castlemaine ‘B’ 2-6; Laune Rangers ‘B’ 3-4.
Rd. 4 on Tues. 4th May at Glenbeigh: Glenbeigh/Glencar ‘B’ Laune Rangers ‘B’.
Final on Tues. 1st June at Cromane: Laune Rangers ‘B’ 1-7; Glenbeigh/Glencar ‘B’ 0-3.
That game was played in perfect conditions and was well-contested, particularly in the first half. Gary Sheehan scored for Glenbeigh/Glencar in the 5th minute. Tim O Regan and Paul O Connor dominated midfield but the forwards wasted some good chances. The losers were lucky that Rangers did not score three goals as the ball came back off the post on three occasions. Francis Russell equalised in the 15th minute before Ger Purcell put the eventual winners in front in the 25th minute (0-2 to 0-1). Stephen O Sullivan converted a free to leave the scores level at 0-2 each at the interval. The game had threatened to boil over on a few occasions during that first half but the referee issued a few yellow cards that that helped to cool the temperature.
In the second half, Rangers stepped up a gear and John Houlihan scored first with a point in the 5th minute. Pa Sheehan, who had an outstanding game, added another soon afterwards. Ten minutes in, after a great move involving Tim O Regan and Pa Sheehan, John Houlihan crashed the ball into the Glenbeigh net. The boys from Glenbeigh tried to rally but the Rangers’ backs stood firm, especially Stuart Delaney and Shane Harmon. Then Pa Sheehan extended the lead with two points from play in the 15th and 18th minutes. Glenbeigh’s only response was a point from a free by Pat O Grady. John Houlihan closed the scoring with a point to give his side the victory.
Best for Rangers were Mark Conway, Shane Harmon, Stuart Delaney, Tim O Regan, Pa Sheehan and John Houlihan. The man-of-the-match award, sponsored by CRL Oil, went to Pa Sheehan.
Laune Rangers: Shane Clifford, Gerald O Sullivan, Mark Conway, Shane Harmon, John O Sullivan, John F. O Brien, Stuart Delaney, Tim O Regan, Paul O Connor, Pa Sheehan, Jonathan Carey, James O Shea, John Houlihan, Francis Russell, Gerard Purcell. Subs: Podge Foley for G. Purcell, Anthony Moriarty for F. Russell.
Ref: Frank Walsh (Cromane).
Mid-Kerry O Sullivan Cup
In that competition, Laune Rangers were not allowed to play any player that started the last Mid-Kerry Senior Championship game in 2003.
Semi-final on Sat. 29th May at Killorglin: Laune Rangers ‘B’ 0-8; Keel 1-10.
Co. U-21 Football Championship
Rd. 1 on Thurs. 8th July at Cromane: Mid-Kerry 3-18; Laune Rangers 1-7.
Laune Rangers got off to a good start when Colin O Connor goaled from the penalty spot. However, Mid-Kerry fought back to lead by 1-10 to 1-4 at the break. In the second half, Mid-Kerry were rampant and ran out easy winners.
Laune Rangers: Jodie Riordan, Tomás Curran, Aidan Lynch, Paul O Connor, Jonathan Carey, Jerry Coffey, David Coffey, Tim O Regan, Maurice Foley, John Houlihan, Colin O Connor, Anthony Moriarty, Francis Russell, Seamie Foley, Ross Sheehan.
Mid-Kerry U-21 Football Championship
Semi-final on Sun. 14th March at Beaufort: Beaufort 1-13; Laune Rangers 0-10.
Beaufort, playing with a strong wind in the first half, raced into an early lead through Mikey O Sullivan, Dan Doona (free), Damien Breen and Thomas O Hagan before Seamie Foley opened the Rangers’ account. The home side was well on top at that stage and Dan Doona added another free before Mikey O Sullivan made it 0-6 to 0-1. Laune Rangers had their second point from Anthony O Sullivan but Thomas O Hagan responded in like fashion for Beaufort. Then John D. Doona went on a scoring spree and notched 1-2 in the remaining time to give his side a 1-9 to 0-2 interval lead.
In the second half, Rangers upped their performance and came more into the game. Francis Russell scored two early points and a free by Anthony O Sullivan closed to gap to 1-9 to 0-5. Then Dan Doona scored a point for Beaufort. Rangers then entered their best passage of play and scored four unanswered points from Francis Russell, Anthony Moriarty, Seamie Foley and Francis Russell. However, the winners rallied and points by O Hagan, Breen and Michael Hallissey put them out of sight before Seamie Foley kicked the last score of the game to leave the Beaufort side winners by six points.
Co. Minor Football Championship
Rd. 1 on Tues. 13th July at Killorglin: Laune Rangers defeated Austin Stacks.
Quarter-final on Sat. 4th Sept: Laune Rangers 2-4; Kerins O Rahillys 0-8.
Semi-final on Sat. 9th Oct. at Beaufort: South-Kerry 4-15; Laune Rangers 0-7.
It was far too easy for the South-Kerry side as they controlled that game throughout. Laune Rangers opened the scoring through Eamonn Carey, but that was the only joy they got, as South-Kerry responded with a goal from John Curran. Liam O Sullivan and a brace from Paul O Connor made the result look ominous for the Rangers. Rory Keating and Sean O Riordan swapped points but Gerard O Sullivan (0-1) and Rory Keating (1-0) consolidated the divisional side’s lead. Sean O Riordan responded with two pointed frees for the Rangers but, when Gearoid O Sullivan got in for his side’s third goal on the stroke of halftime, it put the winners ahead by 3-5 to 0-4 and left the club side with a huge uphill battle in the second half.
The Rangers tried to lift their game on the restart but struggled against a well-organised defence. Paul O Connor, Liam O Sullivan and Patrick Curran kicked points for the Southerners. Brendan O Shea and Sean O Riordan responded for the Rangers but Patrick Curran and a brace from Liam O Sullivan killed off any hopes of a Rangers’ comeback. The game was almost over when Liam O Sullivan scored the fourth goal for the winners. The Rangers kept plugging away but their only reward was from goalkeeper Vincent Costello, with a ‘45’.
Laune Rangers: Vincent Costello, John Sheehan (Glencuttane), Rodi Healy, Laurence O Connor, Alan Tobin, Kieran Crowley, Dáire Clifford, Eoin O Mahony, Stuart Delaney, Brendan O Shea, Sean O Riordan, Michael Quirke, Eamonn Carey, Luke Dunlea, Gary Flynn.
Special Summer Minor Club Football Championship
Group 2
Rd. 1 on Fri. 9th July at Killorglin: Laune Rangers Dingle.
Rd. 2 on Sat. 17th July at Ballymac: Ballymac Laune Rangers.
Rd. 3 on Sat. 24th July at Killorglin: Laune Rangers 1-12; An Ghaeltacht 1-14.
Final on Sat. 6th Nov. at Currow: Kerins O Rahillys 1-11; Ballymac 1-6.
Co. Minor Football League Div. 1
Laune Rangers were grouped with Churchill, Dr. Crokes, Austin Stacks, Kilcummin, Kerins O Rahillys.
Rd. 1 on Fri. 2nd April at Lewis Road: Dr. Crokes 2-16; Laune Rangers 0-6.
Rd. 2 on Fri. 9th April at Killorglin: Laune Rangers 0-12; Austin Stacks 0-12.
Rd. 3 on Fri. 16th April at Strand Road: Kerins O Rahillys 1-11; Laune Rangers 0-4.
Rd. 4 on Fri. 23rd April at Kilcummin: Kilcummin 0-9; Laune Rangers 1-8.
Rd. 5 on Fri. 30th April at Churchill: Churchill 1-13; Laune Rangers 0-15.
Mid-Kerry Minor Football Championship
Rd. 1 on Tues. 29th June at Killorglin: Laune Rangers Milltown/Castlemaine.
Rd. 2 on Sat. 23rd Oct. at Killorglin: Laune Rangers 3-5; Glenbeigh/Glencar 1-6.
The foundations of that victory were laid during an explosive first half when Rangers got a great start when Eamonn Carey scored a goal. That was followed a few minutes later by a goal from the penalty spot by Eoin O Mahony after Mike Quirke had been pulled down in the small ‘square’. Mike Quirke struck for another goal just before the break to leave Rangers ahead by 3-4 to 0-3. Darren O Sullivan scored some great points for the losers.
Glenbeigh/Glencar came back strongly in the second half but their forwards could make little progress against a resolute Rangers’ defence. They did manage to score a penalty near the end through Leon Saidler to bring the game down to the wire. However, Vinny Costello saved at the death to ensure his side’s win.
Laune Rangers: Vincent Costello, Laurence O Connor, Rodi Healy, Liam Sheehan, Dáire Clifford, Kieran Crowley, John Foley (Iveragh Rd.), Stuart Delaney, Eoin O Mahony, Mike Quirke, Sean O Riordan, Brendan O Shea, Liam Clifford, Eamonn Carey, Gary Flynn. Subs: S. Joy, Fergus O Riordan, J. McKenna, S. O Connor, G. Clifford, David Fleming, Alan Tobin, Luke Dunlea.
Semi-final on Sat. 6th Nov: Laune Rangers defeated Cromane/Listry.
Final on Sat. 27th Nov. at Milltown: Milltown/Castlemaine 0-9; Laune Rangers 0-8.
Laune Rangers had the aid of the fresh breeze in the first half but both sets of backs were well on top and the first score didn’t come until the 14th minute – a point from a free by Gary Flynn for Rangers. Jeremiah Hayes replied for the home side. Eoin O Mahony and Stuart Delaney dominated midfield at that stage and Gary Flynn scored his second point in the 22nd minute. However, Shane Murphy again replied for Milltown/Castlemaine. Gary Flynn restored Rangers’ lead with a great point from a free from all of 40m before Denis O Shea scored his side’s second point from play. Eoin O Mahony scored a great long-range point to leave his side ahead by 0-4 to 0-3 at the break.
On the restart, with the weather deteriorating, Milltown drew level with a 20m free but Gary Flynn, at the other end, pointed a 13m free to give Rangers back their lead. He put his side further head with another free into the wind and rain some time later, but Jeremiah Hayes levelled matters with two pointed frees. Hayes and Wayne Coffey, for Milltown/Castlemaine, and Brendan O Shea and Sean O Riordan, for Laune Rangers, swapped points as the game neared the end. Denis O Shea scored the winning point near the end and, though the Rangers had chances to equalise in injury-time both from play and a free, Milltown/Castlemaine held on.
Laune Rangers: Vincent Costello, John Sheehan, Rodi Healy, Laurence O Connor, Dáire Clifford, Kieran Crowley, John Foley, Stuart Delaney, Eoin O Mahony (0-1), Brendan O Shea (0-1), Sean O Riordan (0-1), Michael Quirke, Liam Clifford, Eamonn Carey, Gary Flynn (0-5, 4 frees). Subs: Luke Dunlea for M. Quirke, Alan Tobin for L. Clifford.
Ref: Sean Kissane (Kerins O Rahillys).
Mid-Kerry Minor Football League
Rd. 1 on Tues. 6th July at Killorglin: Laune Rangers Milltown/Castlemaine.
Semi-final on Tues. 7th Sept. at Killorglin: Laune Rangers Beaufort.
Tralee District Board Minor Football League
Semi-final on Sun. 14th March at Ballymac: Ballymac Laune Rangers.
Co. U-16 Inter-District Board Football Championship
Trainer – Gary Murphy (Milltown/Castlemaine).
Rd. 1 in Sept: Mid-Kerry 2-15; St. Brendan’s 4-6.
Quarter-final in Sept: South-Kerry 2-7; Mid-Kerry 0-7.
Final on Sun. 31st Oct. at Fitzgerald Stadium: West-Kerry 1-6; South-Kerry 1-5.
Co. U-16 Football Championship Div. 2
Trainer – Patsy Joy. Selectors – Eamonn Carey, James Riordan, John Quirke, Jerry Houlihan. The panel commenced training on Sun. 29th Feb. The team was sponsored by the Fishery. Rangers were grouped with Ballymac, Glenbeigh/Glencar, John Mitchels, Gaeltacht, Kilcummin, Castlegregory and Spa.
The panel consisted of Colin O Dwyer, Timmy Brosnan, Pascal O Brien, David Pigott, Brian Prendiville, Chris O Riordan, Kevin Flynn, Timmy Lynch, Eamonn Looney, Shane McSweeney, Luke O Shea, Tadhg Iarla Curran, Stephen Healy, James Flynn, Kyle Corkery, David O Sullivan, Jason McCarthy, Daniel Horgan.
Rd. 1 on Mon. 21st June at Killorglin: Laune Rangers Ballymac.
Rd. 2 on Mon. 28th June at Glenbeigh: Glenbeigh/Glencar 1-16; Laune Rangers 3-7.
Rd. 3 on Mon. 5th July at Castlegregory: Castlegregory Laune Rangers.
Rd. 4 on Mon. 12th July at Killorglin: Laune Rangers 2-15; An Ghaeltacht 3-9.
Rd. 5 on Mon. 19th July at Killorglin: Laune Rangers John Mitchels.
Rd. 6 on Mon. 26th July at Spa: Spa Laune Rangers.
Rd. 7 on Mon. 2nd Aug. at Kilcummin: Kilcummin Laune Rangers.
Mid-Kerry U-16 Football Championship
Rd. 1 on Thurs. 25th March at Cloon: Laune Rangers 1-3; Milltown/Castlemaine 2-7.
Rd. 2 on Wed. 31st March at Cloon: Laune Rangers 7-9; Cromane/Listry 0-10.
Laune Rangers (panel): Timmy Lynch, David Pigott, Stephen Cotter, T. Brosnan, Tadhg Iarla Curran, Pascal O Brien, Eamonn Looney, Morgan O Sullivan, James Flynn, D. O Sullivan, Kevin Flynn, C. Riordan, Daniel Horgan, W. Crowley, Shane McSweeney, Colin O Dwyer, Luke O Shea, Jason McCarthy, Stephen Healy, Pa Knightley, John Knightley, Brian Prendiville, Ricky O Connor, Joseph Kelliher.
Rd. 3 on Wed. 7th April at Glenbeigh: Glenbeigh/Glencar 0-13; Laune Rangers 1-8.
Rd. 4 on Wed. 14th April at Beaufort: Beaufort 4-5; Laune Rangers 3-5.
Rd. 5 on Wed. 21st April at Keel: Keel 2-10; Laune Rangers 1-15.
Laune Rangers: David Pigott, Eamonn Looney, Joseph Kelliher, Luke O Shea, Morgan O Sullivan, Pascal O Brien, Shane McSweeney, James Flynn, Chris O Riordan, Daniel Horgan, Kevin Flynn, Pa Knightley, J. Healy, Colin O Dwyer, Ricky O Connor, John Knightley.
Due to the above results, the team failed to reach the semi-final stage.
‘B’ Semi-final on Sun. 3rd Oct. at Cromane: Beaufort 0-12; Laune Rangers 0-11.
Tralee District Board U-16 Football Championship
Group ‘B’:
Rd. 1 on Sat. 3rd April: Laune Rangers 3-9; Austin Stacks 1-9.
Rd. 2 on Sat. 10th April at Churchill: Laune Rangers 4-8; Churchill 3-9.
Rd. 3 on Sat. 17th April in Cloon: Laune Rangers Ballymac.
Semi-final on Sun. 25th April at Killorglin: Ardfert defeated Laune Rangers.
U-16 Football Challenge Game/Blitz
In March: Laune Rangers Spa.
Mon. 17th May at Beaufort – Co. U-16 7-a-side Football Blitz.
Laune Rangers ‘A’ were grouped with Templenoe, Kilcummin, Sneem/Derrynane and Valentia. The latter team progressed to the final.
Co. U-15 Football Championship
That was a knock-out competition. The team was sponsored by Flynn’s Bus Hire.
Rd. 1 on Fri. 16th July at Killorglin: Laune Rangers 0-8; Kerins O Rahillys 1-10.
That was a game that Rangers could have won but they were short players on the night due to injury and the timing of the fixture.
Final on Fri. 30th July at Fitzgerald Stadium: Kerins O Rahillys 4-15; Beaufort 1-6.
Co. U-14 Inter-District Board Football Championship
Trainer – Dermot O Sullivan (Beaufort). Selectors – Brian O Shea (Laune Rangers), Michael Corkery (Laune Rangers), John Laddin (Keel), Patrick Casey (Cromane), Jimmy Healy (Glenbeigh/Glencar), Liam Griffin (Milltown/Castlemaine).
Rd. 1 on Mon. 31st May at Annascaul: West-Kerry 0-6; Mid-Kerry 5-9.
The following players from Laune Rangers were on the panel: Muiris O Carroll, Daniel Clifford, Liam Clifford, Cathal Clifford, Peter Crowley, David Coffey, Jeremy O Callaghan, Shane O Connor, Padraig Murphy and Colm O Shea.
Quarter-final on Mon. 14th June at Scartaglin: Castleisland District lost to Mid-Kerry.
Semi-final on Fri. 25th June at Glenflesk: Eoghan Ruadh lost to Mid-Kerry.
Final on Fri. 9th July at Lewis Road: Mid-Kerry 4-12; Tralee District 1-9.
Mid-Kerry: Brendan Delaney (M/C), Brendan Doyle (Beaufort), Daniel Clifford (Laune Rangers), Noel Reilly (Cromane), Peter Crowley (Laune Rangers), Alan Courtney (Beaufort), Liam Clifford (Laune Rangers), Thomas Ladden (Keel), Colm O Shea (Beaufort) 1-6, 3 frees, Jerome Flynn (M/C/) 1-6, Jeremy O Callaghan (Laune Rangers) capt., Ciarán Doyle (Glenbeigh/Glencar), Colm O Shea (Laune Rangers), Padraig Murphy (do.), Ronan Sayers (Keel) 1-0. Subs: Kieran McKenna (M/C) 1-0; Shane O Connor (Laune Rangers), Cathal Clifford (do.), Muiris O Carroll (do.), David Coffey (do.).
Co. U-14 Football Championship Div. 1
Coaches – Denis Cleary, Brian O Shea, Iraneus Looney, Sean Moriarty and Michael Corkery. The team was sponsored by Flynn’s Bus Hire. Laune Rangers were grouped with Legion, Kerins O Rahillys, Spa, Dr. Crokes, Dingle and Austin Stacks.
Rd. 1 on Sat. 27th March at Killorglin: Laune Rangers defeated Dr. Crokes.
Laune Rangers: Seamus Joy, Shane O Connor, Daniel Clifford, Tommy O Callaghan, Cathal Clifford, Muiris O Carroll, Liam Clifford, Jeremy O Callaghan, Marty Lynch, Pa Joy, Padraig Murphy, Audie Dunlea, Timmy Healy, Colm O Shea, John F. Flynn. Subs: Shane Flynn, Matthew O Riordan, Ciaran Doona, John Johnston, David Coffey, Shane Foley, Cian Clifford.
Rd. 2 on Mon. 29th March at Strand Road: Kerins O Rahillys 2-8; Laune Rangers 2-5.
Laune Rangers’ Panel: Tommy O Callaghan, John Flynn, Daniel Clifford, Liam Clifford, Cathal Clifford, Muiris O Carroll, David Coffey, Jeremy O Callaghan, Marty Lynch, Shane O Connor, Padraig Murphy, Audie Dunlea, Timmy Healy, Ciaran Doona, Pa Joy, Colm O Shea, Shane Flynn, Cian Clifford, Jason Brown, Seamus Joy, Fionán Crowley, Matthew O Riordan, C. O Connor, Barry Sheehan, Darren Curtayne, Eanna Curtayne, John Johnston, T. Lynch, Shane Foley, Rory O Shea, Christopher O Brien.
Rd. 3 on Sat. 3rd April at Cloon: Laune Rangers 5-17; Dingle 4-4.
Rd. 4 on Mon. 12th April at Connolly Park: Austin Stacks Laune Rangers.
Rd. 6 on Mon. 26th April: Laune Rangers defeated Legion.
Rd. 5 on Wd. 5th May at Killorglin: Laune Rangers Spa.
Semi-final on Mon. 17th May at Milltown: Laune Rangers 2-16; Kerins O Rahillys 3-11(AET).
Final on Mon. 24th May at Beaufort: Laune Rangers 4-17; Dr. Crokes 0-10.
Laune Rangers had things very much their own way in that final. Their forward line proved to be their trump card, with all six getting on the score-sheet. Star of the show was full-forward, Colm O Shea, who finished with a personal tally of 3-6. The opening exchanges were even enough but, gradually, the Laune side took the initiative and two first-half goals saw them leading by 2-8 to 0-6 at the break.
Crokes had no answer to a rampant Rangers’ side in the second half and further goals by Colm O Shea saw them pull well clear to deservedly claim the title.
Laune Rangers: Barry Sheehan, Muiris O Carroll, Daniel Clifford, Liam Clifford, John F. Flynn (0-1), Peter Crowley, Cathal Clifford, Jeremy O Callaghan (0-2) capt., David Coffey (0-1), Shane O Connor (0-1), Padraig Murphy (0-2), Shane Flynn (0-1), Audie Dunlea (1-2), Colm O Shea (3-6), Pa Joy (0-1). Subs: Marty Lynch, Ciarán Doona, Timmy Healy, Tommy O Callaghan, Seamus Joy (all played), Shane Foley, Fionán Crowley, Jason Browne, Cian Clifford, John Johnston, Tony Lynch, Mathew O Riordan, Rory O Shea, Michael Carey.
Ref: John Hegarty (John Mitchels).
Mid-Kerry U-14 Football Championship
Rd. 1 on Sun. 9th May at Beaufort: Beaufort lost to Laune Rangers.
Rd. 2 on Wed. 19th May at Killorglin: Laune Rangers defeated Milltown/Castlemaine.
Rd. 3 on Wed. 26th May at Killorglin: Laune Rangers 1-15; Glenbeigh/Glencar 1-4.
Rd. 4 on Wed. 2nd June at Cromane: Cromane/Listry scr.; Laune Rangers w/o.
Final on Wed. 4th Aug. at Beaufort: Beaufort 0-6; Laune Rangers 6-12.
Having led by 3-6 to 0-3 at the break, the team went on to win easily.
Laune Rangers: Barry Sheehan, Muiris O Carroll, Daniel Clifford, Cathal Clifford (0-1), John Flynn, Peter Crowley, Liam Clifford (capt.), Jeremy O Callaghan (1-0), David Coffey, Shane Flynn (0-2), Padraig Murphy (1-3), Shane O Connor, Audie Dunlea, Colm O Shea (2-5), Pa Joy (2-0). Subs: Martin Lynch, John J. Johnston, Ciarán Doona (0-1), Jason Brown, Timmy Healy, Tommy O Callaghan, Matthew O Riordan, Tony Lynch, Cian Clifford, Jessie Sheehan.
Tralee District Board U-14 Football Championship
Rd. 2 on Sun. 3rd Oct. at Strand Road: Kerins O Rahillys 3-6; Laune Rangers 4-4.
Rd. 1 on Sun. 10th Oct: Laune Rangers 1-14; Austin Stacks 3-7.
At one stage in the second half, Rangers were 6 points down but fought back brilliantly to win.
Laune Rangers: Barry Sheehan, Muiris O Carroll (capt.), Daniel Clifford, Liam Clifford, John Flynn, Peter Crowley, Cathal Clifford, Jeremy O Callaghan, David Coffey, Shane Flynn, Padraig Murphy, Shane O Connor, Audie Dunlea, Colm O Shea, Ciarán Doona. Subs: Marty Lynch, Pa Joy, Timmy Healy, Tommy O Callaghan, S. Foley, John Johnston, Jason Browne, Matthew O Riordan, Seamus Joy, Cian Clifford, Tony Lynch.
Final on Sat. 6th Nov. at Connolly Park: Laune Rangers 3-12; Kerins O Rahillys 5-6.
Final replay on Sun. 14th Nov. at Connolly Park: Laune Rangers 4-10; Kerins O Rahillys 2-8.
That replay was every bit as good as the first game. Rangers began well with a goal from Shane O Connor, but Rahillys were soon on level terms with some well-taken points. At halftime, Rangers led by 1-4 to 0-5. In the second half, the winners really got going and, with goals from Colm O Shea, David Coffey and Ciarán Doona, they ran out easy winners.
Laune Rangers: Barry Sheehan, Muiris O Carroll, Daniel Clifford, Liam Clifford, John Flynn, Peter Crowley, Cathal Clifford, Jeremy O Callaghan, David Coffey (1-1), Shane Flynn (0-1), Padraig Murphy (0-2), Shane O Connor (1-0), Audie Dunlea (0-1), Colm O Shea 91-5), Ciarán Doona. Subs: Marty Lynch, Pa Joy, Timmy Healy, John Johnston, Jason Brown, Tommy O Callaghan, Matthew O Riordan, S. Foley, Cian Clifford, Timmy Lynch, Padraig King.
Co. Féile Peile na nOg
Nine teams competed for the right to represent Kerry in the All-Ireland.
Sat. 17th April at Lewis Road: Laune Rangers defeated Beaufort.
Laune Rangers lost to Dr. Crokes.
Laune Rangers’ Panel: Seamus Joy, Muiris O Carroll, Daniel Clifford, Tommy O Callaghan, John Flynn, Liam Clifford, Marty Lynch, Jeremy O Callaghan, Cathal Clifford, Shane O Connor, David Coffey, Audie Dunlea, Shane Flynn, Padraig Murphy, Colm O Shea, Timmy Healy, Ciarán Doona, Pa Joy, Barry Sheehan, Jason Brown, Matthew O Riordan, Timmy Lynch, Fionán Crowley, Cian Clifford.
Féile Peile na nOg na Mumhan
As Limerick was due to host the national competition in 2005, the county organised a Féile Peile na Mumhan as preparation in 2004. Laune Rangers represented Kerry.
Blitz on Sat. 12th June – Laune Rangers reached the final but lost to a more physically strong Ahane side.
U-14 Football Challenge Game
Sun. 7th March at Direen: Legion 1-8; Laune Rangers 2-5.
Sat. 24th April: Laune Rangers 3-20; Churchill 3-12.
Laune Rangers: Barry Sheehan, Eanna Curtayne, Tommy O Callaghan, Cathal Clifford, John Flynn, David Coffey, Timmy Lynch, Padraig Murphy, Pa Joy, Jason Brown, Colm O Shea, L. Doona, Darren Curtayne, Timmy Healy, Rory O Shea. Subs: Audie Dunlea, Shane Flynn, Daniel Clifford.
Tralee District Board U-13 Football Championship
Semi-final on Sun. 21st Nov. at Killorglin: Laune Rangers 4-12; Kerins O Rahillys 1-8.
Both teams were evenly matched for the first quarter until Rangers settled down to take a 1-8 to 0-6 lead into the break. The second half provided excellent football. Rangers’ backs marked very tightly and the midfielders and forwards scored from all angles.
Laune Rangers: Chris O Brien, Eanna Curtayne, Tommy O Callaghan, Darren Curtayne, Cathal Clifford, John F. Flynn, John Sheehan, Audie Dunlea, Patrick Joy, Ann Marie Healy, Ciarán Doona, Aisling Clifford, Matthew O Riordan, Shane Flynn, Timmy Healy. Subs: Morgan O Sullivan, Charles Johnston.
Final on Sun. 5th Dec. at Connolly Park: Austin Stacks 2-9; Laune Rangers 0-9.
Despite dominating the first quarter, Rangers failed to put scores on the board. At halftime, they trailed by 1-5 to 0-3. In the second half, Rangers were six points in arrears at one stage but battled back to within three points. Unfortunately, in trying for the equaliser, they were left unprotected at the back and Stacks scored a late goal.
Laune Rangers: Christopher O Brien, Eanna Curtayne, Tommy O Callaghan, Darren Curtayne, Cian Clifford, John Flynn, John Sheehan, Audie Dunlea, Pa Joy, Aisling Clifford, Ciraán Doona, Ann Marie Healy, Matthew O Riordan, Shane Flynn, Timmy Healy. Subs: Ryan Lucey, Michael O Sullivan, Charles Johnston, C. O Brien, Darragh Woods, Sean O Sullivan, Sean Moriarty, Padraig King.
U-13 Football Tournament
The annual Austin Stacks invitation tournament took place on Sat. 19th/Sun. 20th June in Connolly Park.
Sat. 19th June – Laune Rangers defeated Austin Stacks ‘B’, Kerins O Rahillys and drew with Salthill.
Sun. 20th June – Laune Rangers defeated Nemo Rangers in the semi-final but lost the final to Austin Stacks ‘A’.
Co. U-12 Football Championship
Coaches – John O Dwyer and Diarmuid O Sullivan. The team was sponsored by Jamie Clifford, Painter & Decorator, and commenced training on Sun. 14th March in Cloon. Laune Rangers were grouped in Group ‘A’ with Austin Stacks, Dr. Crokes, Legion, Listowel Emmett’s and Kerins O Rahillys.
Phase 1, Group ‘A’:
Rd. 1 on Sun. 25th April at Killarney: Dr. Crokes 3-17; Laune Rangers 4-7.
Laune Rangers started brilliantly and, despite missing many chances, held a lead of nine points at halftime. The exact opposite was the case in the second half and the Dr. Crokes players could do no wrong and they ran out winners.
Rd. 2 on Tues. 4th May at Strand Road: Kerins O Rahillys Laune Rangers.
Rd. 3 on Sun. 9th May at Killorglin: Laune Rangers Legion.
Rd. 4 on Sun. 16th May at Listowel: Emmett’s 3-16; Laune Rangers 1-8.
That was always going to be a difficult tie against a very good Emmett’s side. In the first half, Rangers played their best football of the year and were very unlucky to be losing at halftime on a score-line of 1-10 to 1-5. If they had converted a few of the goal chances that came their way, they could have been set up for an interesting second half. As it was, after the break, the physically stronger home team took control and ran out winners. The eventual score-line did not reflect properly the excellent contribution of the young Rangers team (10 of the starting fifteen were eligible again on the following year).
Laune Rangers panel: Timothy Sheehan, John Murphy, Darragh Woods, Keith Sheehan, Sean Moriarty, Cormac Johnston, Michael Sheehan, Morgan O Sullivan, Liam Concannon, Eoin O Sullivan, Ryan Lucey, Jason O Connor, Liam McCarthy, Michael O Sullivan, Aisling Clifford, Dylan Reidy, Conor O Brien, Aidan O Connor, Sean O Sullivan, Mike McKenna, Conor McGillycuddy, Colm O Carroll, Sean Fogarty, John Lordan, Roisin Looney.
Rd. 5 on Sat. 22nd May at Killorglin: Laune Rangers Austin Stacks.
Phase 2, Group C:
Rd. 1 on Sun. 6th June: Lispole 4-10; Laune Rangers 2-8.
Laune Rangers’ Panel: Liam McCarthy, Aidan O Connor, Michael Sheehan, John Murphy, Sean Moriarty, Cormac Johnston, Michael Kelly, Liam Concannon, Morgan O Sullivan, Aisling Clifford, Michael O Sullivan, Eoin O Sullivan, Sean Fogarty, Colm O Carroll, Timothy Sheehan, Darragh Woods, Jason O Connor, Conor McGillycuddy, Dylan Reidy.
Rd. 2 on Sun. 13th June at Gallerus: An Ghaeltacht Laune Rangers.
Rd. 3 on Sun. 20th June at Killorglin: Laune Rangers 1-8: John Mitchels 2-16.
Rd. 4 on Sun. 27th June at Dingle: Dingle Laune Rangers.
Rd. 5 on Sun. 4th July at Castleisland: Desmonds defeated Laune Rangers.
Mid-Kerry U-12 Football Championship
Rd. 1 on Wed. 30th June at Killorglin: Laune Rangers lost to Beaufort.
Rd. 2 on Wed. 7th July at Milltown: Milltown/Castlemaine 1-8; Laune Rangers 3-7.
That was a game that Laune Rangers had to win on order to maintain interest in the competition. Having played against a very strong wind in the first half, Rangers did very well to be only trailing by one point at halftime, 1-3 to 1-4. Milltown/Castlemaine scored the first point of the second half but then Rangers showed great heart and undoubted ability to run out winners.
Rd. 3 on Wed. 14th July at Glenbeigh: Glenbeigh/Glencar defeated Laune Rangers.
Rd. 4 on Fri. 16th July at Killorglin: Laune Rangers 3-7; Cromane/Listry 1-17.
Rd. 5 on Wed. 21st July at Killorglin: Laune Rangers 5-14; Keel 6-5.
That game was played on a 11-a-side basis – Laune Rangers had to play without four players who were in their final year at U-12.
‘B’ Semi-final on Wed. 8th Sept. at Beaufort: Laune Rangers Glenbeigh/Glencar.
Tralee District Board U-12 Football Championship
Div. 2
Rd. 1 on Fri. 10th Sept. at Killeen: Na Gaeil lost to Laune Rangers by 2 points.
Rd. 2 on Fri. 17th Sept. at Killorglin: Laune Rangers defeated Ardfert.
Rd. 3 on Fri. 24th Sept. at Ballymac: Ballymac 2-8; Laune Rangers 3-12.
Final on Sun. 31st Oct. at Tralee: Laune Rangers 6-4; Na Gaeil 3-7.
The sides were level at the break at 3-0 to 1-6. Laune Rangers stormed clear in the second half with some determined play.
Laune Rangers: Liam McCarthy, John Murphy, Cormac Johnston, Keith Sheehan, Eoin O Sullivan, Ryan Lucey, John Lodder, Morgan O Sullivan, Michael Sheehan, Michael O Sullivan (Glencuttane), Liam Concannon, Jason O Connor, Finian Brosnan, Timothy Sheehan, Timothy Walsh.
U-12 Football Challenge Game
Mon. 7th June in Killorglin: Laune Rangers lost to Abbeyfeale by two points.
U-10/U-8 Football
Mentors – John Foley, Dermot O Shea, Donal Pigott, Colm Conway, Pat O Sullivan (Ballykissane), Tom Courtney (Iveragh Park), Brian O Shea and Iraneus Looney.
Challenge on Sun. 25th April at Lewis Road: Dr. Crokes lost to Laune Rangers.
Challenge on Sun. 6th June at Connolly Park: Laune Rangers U-10 & U-8 versus Austin Stacks U-10 & U-8.
Over 35 players travelled and the teams were treated to refreshments afterwards.
Challenge on Sat. 19th June at Direen: Legion U-10 & U-8 v Laune Rangers U-10 & U-8.
29 players were used and all received refreshments afterwards.
The following players travelled: Dylan Costello, S. Lillis, Ben Courtney, Kieran Brosnan, L. Delaney, Liam Quirke, Aaron O Regan, G. O Shea, J. O Connor, Conor Healy, Liam O Sullivan, John O Shea, Ciarán Doyle, Jonathan O Connor, David O Carroll, Ciaran Twiss, T. Foley, G. O Shea, M. Houlihan, A. Johnston, Ethan Diggin, Darren Murray, Shane Clifford, Sean O Sullivan, Kevin O Sullivan, Clive Ashe, P. O Shea, Shane Mangan, A. Murphy. Some players could not travel due to their involvement in the Community Games.
Challenge on Sun. 27th June at Killorglin: Laune Rangers U-10 & U-8 v Emmett’s U-10 & U-8.
Challenge on Wed. 8th Sept. at Killorglin: Laune Rangers defeated Millstreet in two 15-a-side games.
Mid-Kerry U-10 Annual Blitz on Sat. 11th Sept. at Beaufort: Laune Rangers entered one team in the 11-a-side competition and two teams in the 9-a-side competition.
11-a-side – the team lost only one game to Beaufort by a late goal.
Laune Rangers: Liam Quirke, Kieran Brosnan, Westley Delaney, Kevin O Sullivan, Jonathan O Connor, Liam O Sullivan, Conor Healy, Cian Healy, Colm O Mahony, G. O Shea, Seamus O Sullivan, Ben Courtney, Aaron O Regan, Dylan Costello.
9-a-side teams won all their games and met in the final.
Laune Rangers: Fergus Oman, Gary O Shea, Shane Daly, Ciarán Doyle, Joanne O Callaghan, Shane Mangan, Timothy Foley, Ciarán Twiss, Sean O Sullivan, M. Houlihan, John O Shea, Fionn O Shea, Cian Foley, Ethan Diggin, Shane Clifford, Darren Murray, S. McGillycuddy, David Carroll, Colm O Mahony, Clive Ashe, Daniel McBeth, D. Houlihan, Gearoid Joy, Daniel Sheehan, Niall O Shea, Noreen O Callaghan.
Challenge on Sun. 19th Sept. at Killorglin: Laune Rangers Austin Stacks.
Parish League
Rd. 1 on Sat. 9th Oct: Liam O Sullivan drew with Ben Courtney
Liam O Sullivan defeated Gavin O Shea
Gavin O Shea defeated Jack O Connor.
Jack O Connor defeated Ben Courtney.
Rd. 3 on Sun. 17th Oct: Liam O Sullivan defeated Jack O Connor.
Gavin O Shea 0-9; Ben Courtney 1-6.
Final on Sun. 31st Oct. (Plate): Jack O Connor 3-6; Ben Courtney 2-4. Ref: Brian O Shea.
(Seamus Murphy Memorial Trophy) Gavin O Shea 2-2; Liam O Sullivan 1-2.
Ref: Iraneus Looney.
The mentors of the teams were Kathy O Connor (Jack O Connor), Tom Courtney (Ben Courtney), John Foley (Gavin O Shea), Pat O Sullivan (Liam O Sullivan). 56 players took part on the day. Players of the year – Cian and Conor Healy. Most improved player – Ciarán Doyle. Billy O Shea and Mike Frank Russell presented the winning captains with their trophies. Eoin Ferris captured the finals on video and they were available on the club website (www.launerangers.com) that evening.
Schools’/Colleges’ Football
Mid-Kerry National Schools’ Championship
Scoil Mhuire entered two even teams as usual in that competition.
6/8 Teachers’ Schools’ Final on Wed. 23rd June at Beaufort: Milltown 2-10; Scoil Mhuire ‘A’ 3-6.
Scoil Mhuire started well and raced into a 2-3 to 0-0 lead but Milltown drew level before the break. On the resumption, Milltown took a 2 points lead but Scoil Mhuire scored 1-1 to again take the lead. However, the winners scored three points without reply to win by the narrowest of margins.
In the 3-teacher schools’ final, Douglas N.S. defeated Boheishill N.S.
Co. Cumann na mBunscol Div. 3
Scoil Mhuire were beaten in the final.
Scoil Mhuire: Morgan O Sullivan (capt.), Jesses Sheehan, Liam Foley, Darren Curtayne, Michael Carey, Dean Reidy, Michael O Sullivan (Glencuttane), Tadhg Prendiville, Shane O Sullivan, Billy Joy, Audie Dunlea, Liam Concannon, Tommy O Callaghan, Chris O Brien, Ryan Lucey, Colm O Carroll, Chris O Connor, Conor Prendiville, Patrick Joy, Eanna Curtayne, Patrick Doherty (goals). Coach – Declan Falvey.
Scoil Mhuire – 2004 Urban Schools Div. 3 Football Runners-up
Front: DJ Scannell, Liam Foley, Darren Curtayne, Morgan O Sullivan (capt.), Jesse Sheehan, Michael Carey, Dean Reidy, Michael O Sullivan, Tadhg Prendiville, Shane O Sullivan, Billy Joy, Michael O Connor, Sean Moriarty.
Back: Rory O Shea, Audie Dunlea, Liam Concannon, Tommy O Callaghan, Christopher O Brien, Ryan Lucey, Colm O Carroll, Christopher O Connor, Brian Prendiville, Patrick Joy, Eanna Curtayne, Patrick Doherty, Mitchel O Sullivan, Cathal Dowd, Tadhg O Shea, Kealon Foley. Trainer – Declan Falvey.
Munster Senior Colleges (Corn Ui Mhuirí) 2003/2004
Quarter-final on Wed. 11th Feb. at Macroom: Intermediate School, Killorglin 2-9; Douglas, Cork 0-9.
Intermediate School: Vinnie Costello (Laune Rangers), John O Keeffe (Kilcummin), James O Reilly (Beaufort), Peter O Reilly (Cromane), Mícheál Griffin (Glenbeigh/Glencar), Ciarán Kelliher (Milltown/Castlemaine), Liam O Sullivan (Beaufort), Raymond O Connor (Glenbeigh/Glencar), Fintan Coffey (Fossa), Mícheál Hallissey (Beaufort), Edwin Kelliher (do.) 0-1, Sean O Riordan (Laune Rangers), Aidan O Sullivan (do.) 1-1, Darren O Sullivan (Glenbeigh/Glencar) 1-6, 1-4 frees, Eoin O Mahony (Laune Rangers). Subs: Gary Sayers (Keel) 0-1 for M. Hallissey, Cian Griffin (Glenbeigh/Glencar) for J. O Reilly (inj.).
Semi-final on Sun. 7th March at Carrigadrohid: Coláiste Chríost Rí 2-11; Intermediate School 0-5.
Intermadiate School: Vinnie Costello, John O Keeffe, James O Reilly, Peter O Reilly, Mícheál Griffin, Ciarán Kelliher, Liam O Sullivan, Raymond O Connor, Fintan Coffey, Mícheál Hallissey (0-1, free), Edwin Kelliher (0-1), Sean O Riordan (0-1, free), Aidan O Sullivan, Darren O Sullivan (0-2, frees), Eoin O Mahony. Subs: Pat O Sullivan for M. Hallissey, Gary Sayers for S. O Riordan.
Russell Cup
St. Brendan’s, Killarney 3-17; Intermediate School 3-3.
Semi-final on Tues. 11th May in Blennerville: Tralee CBS Intermediate School.
Munster Schools Ladies Football Junior ‘B’ Championship
Final in Gneeveguilla on 10th March: Intermediate School 5-4; St. Mary’s, Mallow 1-7.
Intermediate School: Katie Buckley, Niamh Walsh, Carrie Spillane (capt.), Marion O Donoghue, Sharon Houlihan, Ciara O Connor, Rachel O Sullivan, Niamh Pigott, Niamh Sheehan, Dearbhaill Cronin O Reilly (3-0), Megan Houlihan (0-1), Tracy Sheehan, Amy Foley (1-1), Ann Marie Healy (1-1), Edel Murphy (0-1). Subs: Lisa Dennehy for R. O Sullivan, Maura Griffin for M. Houlihan.
All-Ireland Colleges Ladies’ Junior ‘B’ Football Championship
Final on Wed. 7th April at Pearse Stadium, Galway: Intermediate School 5-8; Summerhill, Sligo 3-2.
Best for ISK were Carrie Spillane, Niamh Pigott, Ciara O Connor, Dearbhaill Cronin O Reilly, Edel Murphy and Amy Foley, who scored 4-4 of her side’s total.
Munster Senior Colleges (Corn Uí Mhuirí) 2004/2005
Rd. 2 on Wed. 3rd Nov. at Kilcummin: Tralee CBS 2-6; Intermediate School 2-12.
Intermediate School: J. Buckley, J. O Sullivan, Peter O Reilly, Steve Caulfield (1-4), Liam O Sullivan, James O Reilly (0-1), John O Keeffe, Fintan Coffey (1-0), Jimmy O Leary, Gary Sayers (0-4, 3 frees), Edwin Kelliher (0-2), Cian Griffin, Michael Hallissey (0-1), Luke Dunlea. Subs: T. O Sullivan for L. Dunlea, D. Nolan for J. O Reilly (inj.), J. Sheehan for D. Nolan, J. O Reilly for J. Sheehan.
Rd. 3 on Wed. 24th Nov. at Knocknagree: Bishopstown 2-10; Intermediate School 0-10.
Kerry Vocational Schools’ SFC
Semi-final in mid-January at Cloon: Killorglin CS 0-2; Rathmore 1-23.
Killorglin: Padraig Griffin, V. Hoare, S. O Sullivan, K. Cahillane, K. Foley, J. O Shea, C. Heffernan, J. Hoare, T. O Connor, N. O Shea, M. O Brien, C. Courtney, Kevin Flynn (0-1), A. O Connor, Niall Dennehy. Subs: Gearoid O Callaghan (0-1) for M. O Brien, J. Flynn for N. O Shea, M. Dalton for N. Dennehy.
Kerry Vocational Schools’ 1st & 2nd Year League
Thurs. 18th Nov. at Cloon: Tralee CC 3-4; Killorglin CC 3-3.
Wed. 24th Nov. at Cloon: Killorglin CC 3-13; Rathmore CC 1-7.
Thurs. 9th Dec. at Causeway: Causeway ‘B’ Killorglin CC.
Dunloe Cup
In Oct: Dingle CBS 2-15; Intermediate School 3-8.
Semi-final: Intermediate School 3-8; Tarbert 2-4.
Final on Fri. 10th Dec. at Listry: Tralee CBS 5-11; Intermediate School 1-3.
Intermediate School: S. McKenna, T. Curran, P. Griffin, B. Bradley, M. McMahon, S. Clifford, P. O Sullivan, Jimmy O Leary, T. O Sullivan, D. O Donovan, Johnny Buckley (1-1), C. O Keeffe, L. Seidler, D. Nolan (0-1), Shane McSweeney (0-1). Sub: S. Walsh for B. Bradley.
Kerry Vocational Schools Senior Championship
In Oct: Killarney CC 4-13; Killorglin CC 3-10.
Fri. 5th Nov. at Castleisland: Castleisland CC 3-6; Killorglin CC 0-3.
Kerry Vocational Schools’ Senior Ladies Football Championship
Semi-final on Thurs. 11th Nov. at Cloon: Killorglin CC 0-3; Rathmore CC 4-11.
Kerry Vocational Schools Ladies Junior Football Championship
Killorglin CC 3-13; Killarney CC 3-7.
Rd. 4 on Wed. 1st Dec. at Cloon: Killorglin CC 4-7; Castleisland CC 5-11.
Munster U-14 Football Championship
That competition was played in Waterford for the Jim Power Memorial Cup. Mentors – Dermot O Sullivan (Beaufort), Maria Falvey (Fossa) and Brendan Brosnan (Glenflesk).
Final on Sat. 4th Sept. at Ballyduff (Waterford): Kerry North 1-17; Kerry South 1-5.
Kerry South: Shane Horgan (St. Mary’s), Peter Crowley (Laune Rangers), Andrew Sweeney (Listry), Thomas Ladden (Keel), Mark Kelliher (Rathmore), Jeremy O Callaghan (Laune Rangers), Chris O Sullivan (Kenmare), Michael O Sullivan (Tuosist), Colm O Shea (Beaufort), David O Leary (Dr. Crokes), Jerome Flynn (Milltown/Castlemaine), Donal Murphy (Gneeveguilla), James O Donoghue (Legion), Padraig Murphy (Laune Rangers), Rhyse Farrell (Legion). Subs: Fionn Fitzgerald (Dr. Crokes), Alan Courtney (Beaufort), John O Mahony (Firies), Patrick Noonan (Rathmore), Jonathan Lyne (Legion), Alan McSweeney (Glenflesk), David Coffey (Laune Rangers), Cian Tobin (Spa), Brendan Doyle (Beaufort).
The above team started the semi-final and final. John O Mahony, Brendan Doyle, David Coffey and Fionn Fitzgerald started in the Limerick game.
Munster U-16 Football Championship
Rd. 1 on Sat. 10th July at Askeaton: Kerry South 0-9; Cork County 1-5.
Kerry South: Jason Foley (Beaufort), Rory O Sullivan (Renard), Kevin Breen (Legion), Paul Carroll (Milltown/Castlemaine), Stephen Caulfield (Glenbeigh/Glencar), Michael Moloney (Dr. Crokes), Nigel Wrenn (Milltown/Castlemaine), Gary O Driscoll (Skellig Rangers), Francis Courtney (Beaufort) 0-1, free, Martin Burke (Keel) 0-1, Cian O Connor (St. Michael’s/Foilmore), Mícheál O Shea (Glenflesk) 0-1, Kevin Flynn (Laune Rangers) 0-2, D.J. O Connor (Gneeveguilla) 0-4, 3 frees, Gary Sayers (Keel). Subs: Seamus O Sullivan (Skellig Rangers), Alan Curran (Valentia), Jonathan Reen (Rathmore).
Semi-final on Sat. 10th July at Kildimo: Kerry South 1-12; Tipperary 2-7.
Kerry South: Jason Foley, Seamus O Sullivan, Kevin Breen, Paul Carroll, Stephen Caulfield, Michael Moloney (0-1), Nigel Wrenn, Gary O Driscoll (0-2), Francis Courtney (0-3), Martin Burke (0-2), Cian O Connor (1-0), Mícheál O Shea, Kevin Flynn, DJ O Connor (0-2), Gary Sayers (0-2). Subs: Jonathan Reen, Alan Curran, D. Galvin (Dr. Crokes), Paul Cronin (Spa).
Final on Sun. 18th July at Killarney: Kerry South 2-7; Limerick 1-7.
Kerry South: Jason Foley, Seamus O Sullivan, Kevin Breen, Paul Carroll, Stephen Caulfield, Mike Moloney, Nigel Wrenn, Gary O Driscoll, Francis Courtney (0-1), Martin Burke (0-1), Paddy Curran (0-1), Mícheál O Shea (0-1), Kevin Flynn, DJ O Connor (1-1), Gary Sayers (1-1). Subs: J. Reen for N. Wrenn, Cian O Connor (0-1) for M. Burke.
Munster U-21 Football Championship
Trainer – Charlie Nelligan (Desmonds); Selectors – Kevin Griffin (Glenbeigh/Glencar), Mikey Sheehy (Austin Stacks), Mossie Spillane (Castlegregory), Jackie Walsh (Ballylongford).
Rd. 1 on Wed. 16th June at Austin Stack Park: Kerry 1-21; Clare 1-7.
Kerry: Shane Clifford (Laune Rangers), Adrian O Connell (St. Michael’s/Foilmore), Brendan O Mahony (John Mitchels), Fergal Griffin (Glenbeigh/Glencar), Padraig Sheehan (Dromid), Ronán Ó Flatharta (An Ghaeltacht), Joe McGillycuddy (Glenbeigh/Glencar), Paddy Kelly (Ballylongford) 0-1, Kieran Donaghy (Austin Stacks) 0-1, Donncha Walsh (Cromane) 0-2, Declan O Sullivan (Dromid) 0-1, Seamus Foley (Laune Rangers), Kieran Cronin (St. Michael’s/Foilmore) 0-1, Bryan Sheehan (St. Mary’s) 1-8, 6 frees, Colm Cooper (Dr. Crokes) 0-5, 1 free. Subs: Declan O Sullivan (Lispole) 0-2 for K. Cronin, Shane O Neill (Rathmore) for J. McGillycuddy, Brendan Kealy (Kilcummin) for S. Clifford, Martin O Mahony (Ballydonoghue) for R. Ó Flatharta, Dan Doona (Beaufort) for C. Cooper.
Semi-final on Wed. 28th July at Fitzgerald Stadium: Kerry 2-22; Waterford 0-6.
Kerry: Dermot Dineen (Ardfert), Adrian O Connell, Brendan O Mahony, Fergal Griffin, Padraig Sheehan, Ronán Ó Flatharta, Shane O Neill, Kieran Donaghy (0-1), Paddy Kelly, Declan O Sullivan (Lispole) 0-3, Donncha Walsh (0-2), Seamus Foley (0-3), Dan Doona (2-2), Brian Sheehan (0-7, 4 frees, 1 ‘45’), Colm Cooper (0-4, 3 frees). Subs: Ronan McAuliffe (Gneeveguilla) for C. Cooper, Adrian O Connor (Glenbeigh/Glencar) for D. Walsh, Martin O Mahony (Ballydonoghue) for F. Griffin, Jerry Coffey (Laune Rangers) for R. Ó Flatharta, Ambrose O Donovan (Dr. Crokes) for P. Kelly, Joe McGillycuddy, Pat Madden (Kerins O Rahillys), Donal Kelliher (Milltown/Castlemaine), Kieran Quirke (Duagh).
Final on Wed. 11th Aug. at Austin Stack Park: Kerry 0-12; Cork 0-13.
Kerry: Dermot Dineen, Adrian O Connell, Brendan O Mahony, Fergal Griffin, Padraig Sheehan, Ronán Ó Flatharta, Jerry Coffey, Kieran Donaghy, Paddy Kelly (0-1), Donncha Walsh, Declan O Sullivan (Dromid), Seamie Foley (0-2), Declan O Sullivan (Lispole) 0-3, Bryan Sheehan (0-5, 4 frees), Dan Doona. Subs: Joe McGillycuddy for J. Coffey, Shane O Neill for A. O Connell, Adrian O Connor for D. Doona, Donal Kelliher (0-1) for D. Walsh.
NFL Div. 1A
Trainer – Jack O Connor. Selectors – Johnny Culloty and Ger O Keeffe. Physical trainer – Pat Flanagan.
(A three-man sub-committee of the County Executive, consisting of Sean Walsh, Jerome Conway and Eamonn O Sullivan had recommended a change of management and had recommended Jack O Connor as the new team manager.)
`
Rd. 1 on Sun. 1st Feb. at Pearse Park, Longford: Longford 3-7; Kerry 1-12.
Kerry: Declan O Keeffe, Brendan Guiney, Mike McCarthy, Tom O Sullivan, Tomás Ó Sé (0-1), Eamonn Fitzmaurice, Seamus Moynihan (0-1), Seamus Scanlon, Tommy Griffin, Paul Galvin (0-1), Declan O Sullivan (1-0), Eoin Brosnan, Declan Quill (0-1), Dara Ó Cinnéide (0-2, 1 free and 1 ‘45’), Mike Frank Russell (0-1). Subs: Ronan O Connor (0-3) for D. Quill, Marc Ó Sé (0-1) for T. Griffin, Liam Hassett (0-1) for MF Russell, John Crowley for E. Brosnan.
Rd. 2 on Sat. 7th Feb. at Austin Stack Park: Kerry 0-11; Cork 0-9.
Kerry: Diarmuid Murphy, Brendan Guiney, Mike McCarthy, Aidan O Mahony, Seamus Moynihan, Eamonn Fitzmaurice, Tommy Griffin (0-1), William Kirby (0-1), Seamus Scanlon, Paul Galvin, Declan O Sullivan (0-1), Eoin Brosnan (0-1), Mike Frank Russell, Dara Ó Cinnéide (0-6, 5 frees, 1 ‘45’), Ronan O Connor. Subs: Liam Hassett (0-1) for MF Russell, Sean O Sullivan for R. O Connor, John Sheehan for W. Kirby, Declan Quill for P. Galvin.
Rd. 3 on Sun. 15th Feb. at Parnell Park: Dublin 0-12; Kerry 1-12.
Mike Frank Russell, in particular, had received a lot of criticism for his poor showing s against Longford and Cork. People had forgotten the days when he had destroyed defences. Therefore, the game against Dublin was a big day in his inter-county career and his admirers were delighted to see that he was back to his very best. A tally of 1-4, including a vital penalty in the second half and three lovely points from play, told its own story. It was also significant that the spark was back in his step and, even in a disappointing first half, he was the one ray of light on the Kerry team. Afterwards, he admitted that his form had not been the best recently, ‘I was a bit down after the recent games. All I can say is thanks to Jack for sticking with me because things weren’t going right for me. I needed this game big-time today and I was really up for it. The only way to respond to criticism is to go out and prove them wrong. Hopefully, this will be the start of a good year for me.’
Kerry: Diarmuid Murphy, Aidan O Mahony, Mike McCarthy, Brendan Guiney, Tommy Griffin, Eamonn Fitzmaurice, Seamus Moynihan (0-1), William Kirby, Donal Daly, Liam Hassett, Declan O Sullivan (0-1), Eoin Brosnan, Declan Quill (0-2, 1 free), Ronan O Connor (0-3), Mike Frank Russell (1-4, 1 pen. and 1 ‘45’). Subs: Sean O Sullivan (0-1) for D. Daly, John Crowley for D. Quill.
Rd. 4 on Sun. 7th March at Killarney: Kerry 2-18; Fermanagh 0-6.
Kerry: Diarmuid Murphy, Brendan Guiney, Mike McCarthy, Aidan O Mahony, Seamus Moynihan, Eamonn Fitzmaurice, Tommy Griffin, William Kirby, Donal Daly (0-1), Paul Galvin (0-1), Declan O Sullivan (0-2), Eoin Brosnan (0-2), Declan Quill (1-4, 2 frees), Ronan O Connor (0-3), Mike Frank Russell (0-3, frees). Subs: Ronan O Connor (Kilcummin) for S. Moynihan, Liam Hassett (0-2) for E. Brosnan, John Crowley (1-0) for R. O Connor, Colm Cooper for D. Quill, Sean O Sullivan for P. Galvin.
Rd. 5 on Sun. 14th March at Mullingar: Westmeath 0-10; Kerry 2-10.
Kerry: Diarmuid Murphy, Brendan Guiney, Mike McCarthy, Tom O Sullivan (0-1), Seamus Moynihan, Eamonn Fitzmaurice, Tommy Griffin, William Kirby (0-1), Donal Daly, Paul Galvin (0-1), Declan O Sullivan (0-1), Eoin Brosnan (1-0), Declan Quill (0-2), Mícheál Quirke, Mike Frank Russell (1-4, 1 pen, 3 frees). Subs: Aidan O Mahony for B. Guiney, Liam Hassett for D. Daly, Ronan O Connor for M. Quirke, John Sheehan for T. Griffin, Colm Cooper for D. Quill.
Rd. 6 on Sun. 21st March at Tralee: Kerry 1-13; Mayo 0-8.
Kerry: Diarmuid Murphy, Brendan Guiney, Mike McCarthy, Tom O Sullivan, Seamus Moynihan, Eamonn Fitzmaurice, Tommy Griffin, William Kirby (0-4), Eoin Brosnan (0-2), Paul Galvin, Declan O Sullivan, Liam Hassett (0-1), Mike Frank Russell (0-5, 4 frees), Ronan O Connor (0-1), John Crowley. Subs: Aidan O Mahony for B. Guiney, Colm Cooper (1-0), for J. Crowley, Declan Quill for R. O Connor, Sean O Sullivan for P. Galvin, John Sheehan for T. Griffin.
Rd. 7 on Sun. 4th April at Omagh: Tyrone 1-8; Kerry 1-7.
Kerry: Diarmuid Murphy, Tom O Sullivan, Mike McCarthy, Brendan O Mahony (John Mitchels), Ronan O Connor (Kilcummin) 0-1, Eamonn Fitzmaurice, John Sheehan, Donal Daly, Seamus Scanlon, Sean O Sullivan (0-1, free), Eoin Brosnan (0-1), Liam Hassett, Colm Cooper (0-1), Mícheál Quirke (1-2), John Crowley. Subs: Marc Ó Sé for B. O Mahony, Paul Galvin for S. O Sullivan, Declan O Sullivan (0-1) for D. Daly, Ronan O Connor (St. Michael’s/Foilmore) for J. Crowley, John Cronin (Legion) for M. Quirke.
Semi-final on Sun. 18th April at the Gaelic Grounds: Limerick 0-10; Kerry 0-12.
Kerry: Diarmuid Murphy, Marc Ó Sé, Mike McCarthy, Tom O Sullivan, Tomás Ó Sé (0-1), Seamus Moynihan, Aidan O Mahony, Darragh Ó Sé, William Kirby, Paul Galvin, Eoin Brosnan (0-1), Liam Hassett, Colm Cooper (0-2), Declan O Sullivan (0-1), Mike Frank Russell (0-6). Subs: Mícheál Quirke for D. O Sullivan, Ronan O Connor (0-1) for M. Quirke, Seamus Scanlon for W. Kirby.
Final on Sun. 2nd May at Croke Park: Kerry 3-11; Galway 1-16.
‘The work-rate of Liam Hassett once again could not be faulted and he also chipped in with a point. He had his difficulties at times keeping tabs on Sean Og de Paor’s attacking forays and lost possession occasionally in the tackle. Still a vital player in the functioning of the team. All those that had written off Mike Frank Russell at the start of the year, should hang their heads in shame. After all, class is permanent. He didn’t miss a free, kicked three points from play and his thunderbolt penalty was impossible to stop. A man who revels in the wide, open spaces of Croke Park.’ That was Kerry’s 17th National Football League title.
Kerry: Diarmuid Murphy, Tom O Sullivan, Mike McCarthy, Aidan O Mahony, Tomás Ó Sé (0-1), Eamonn Fitzmaurice, Seamus Moynihan, Eoin Brosnan (0-2), William Kirby, Paul Galvin, Declan O Sullivan, Liam Hassett (0-1), Colm Cooper (0-1), John Crowley (2-0), Mike Frank Russell (1-6). Subs: Dara Ó Cinnéide for J. Crowley, Marc Ó Sé for P. Galvin.
Munster/All-Ireland Senior Football Championship
Rd. 1 on Sun. 23rd May at Ennis: Clare 0-9; Kerry 2-10.
Kerry: Diarmuid Murphy, Tom O Sullivan, Mike McCarthy, Aidan O Mahony, Tomás Ó Sé, Eamonn Fitzmaurice, Seamus Moynihan, Darragh Ó Sé, William Kirby, Paul Galvin, Declan O Sullivan, Eoin Brosnan (1-4), Colm Cooper (0-1), John Crowley (1-0), Mike Frank Russell (0-5, 2 frees). Subs: Mícheál Quirke for J. Crowley, Liam Hassett for P. Galvin, Marc Ó Sé for T. Ó Sé, Ronan O Connor for M. Quirke.
Semi-final on Sun. 13th June at Fitzgerald Stadium: Kerry 0-15; Cork 0-7.
Liam Hassett – worked very hard and very often fell back in defence. Mike Frank Russell – impeccable accuracy from frees and scored two excellent points from play. An accomplished display.
Kerry: Diarmuid Murphy, Tom O Sullivan, Mike McCarthy, Aidan O Mahony, Tomás Ó Sé (0-1), Eamonn Fitzmaurice, Seamus Moynihan, Darragh Ó Sé, William Kirby (0-2), Liam Hassett, Declan O Sullivan, Eoin Brosnan (0-1), Colm Cooper (0-3), John Crowley, Mike Frank Russell (0-7, 5 frees). Subs: Dara Ó Cinnéide (0-1) for J. Crowley, Paul Galvin for E. Brosnan, Marc Ó Sé for A. O Mahony, Kieran Cremin, Tommy Griffin, Donal Daly, Seamus Scanlon, Ronan O Connor (St. Michael’s/Foilmore), Mícheál Quirke, Brendan Guiney, Sean O Sullivan, Declan Quill, John Sheehan, John Cronin (Legion), Ronan O Connor (Kilcummin)..
Final on Sun. 11th July at Limerick: Limerick 1-10; Kerry 1-10.
Liam Hassett showed tremendous work-rate as always and was one of the players who was fighting against the tide in the first half. He continued in the same vein after the break and certainly held the upper hand on Conor Mullane. Mike Frank Russell didn’t get things all his own way against Limerick captain, Tommy Stack, but his goal was marvellously taken and his free-taking was superb. Not as pacy as he once was but he certainly still knew were the posts were.
Kerry: Diarmuid Murphy, Tom O Sullivan, Mike McCarthy, Aidan O Mahony, Tomás Ó Sé, Eamonn Fitzmaurice, Marc Ó Sé, Darragh Ó Sé, William Kirby, Liam Hassett, Eoin Brosnan (0-1), Paul Galvin, Colm Cooper (0-2), Dara Ó Cinnéide (0-3, frees), Mike Frank Russell (1-4, 4 frees). Subs: Tommy Griffin for W. Kirby, John Crowley for D. Ó Cinnéide, John Sheehan for E. Fitzmaurice.
Final replay on Sun. 20th July at Killarney: Kerry 3-10; Limerick 2-9.
Kerry: Diarmuid Murphy, Tom O Sullivan, Mike McCarthy, Aidan O Mahony, Tomás Ó Sé (1-0), Eamonn Fitzmaurice, Marc Ó Sé, Darragh Ó Sé, Eoin Brosnan (1-0), Liam Hassett, Dara Ó Cinnéide (1-1), Paul Galvin (0-1), Colm Cooper, John Crowley.
Quarter-final on Sat. 14th Aug. at Croke Park: Dublin 1-8; Kerry 1-15.
Kerry: Diarmuid Murphy, Tom O Sullivan, Mike McCarthy, Aidan O Mahony, Tomás Ó Sé, Eamonn Fitzmaurice, Marc Ó Sé, Darragh Ó Sé, Paddy Kelly, Eoin Brosnan, Declan O Sullivan (0-1), Paul Galvin (0-1), Colm Cooper (0-5, 2 frees), Dara Ó Cinnéide (1-5, 3 frees), Mike Frank Russell. Subs: Liam Hassett (0-1) for MF Russell, William Kirby (0-2) for P. Kelly, John Crowley for D. O Sullivan, John Sheehan for T. Ó Sé, Sean O Sullivan for A. O Mahony.
Semi-final on Sun. 29th Aug. at Croke Park: Kerry 1-17; Derry 1-11.
Kerry: Diarmuid Murphy, Tom O Sullivan, Mike McCarthy, Aidan O Mahony, Tomás Ó Sé (0-2), Eamonn Fitzmaurice, Marc Ó Sé, Darragh Ó Sé (0-1), William Kirby (0-1), Liam Hassett, Eoin Brosnan (0-1), Paul Galvin (0-1), Colm Cooper (0-6), Dara Ó Cinnéide, capt. (0-2), Declan O Sullivan (1-0). Subs: Mike Frank Russell (0-2) for D. Ó Sé, Paddy Kelly (0-1) for L. Hassett, Tommy Griffin for W. Kirby, John Crowley for C. Cooper, Declan Quill for D. Ó Cinnéide, Kieran Cremin, John Sheehan, Sean O Sullivan, Brendan Guiney, Mícheál Quirke, Ronan O Connor, Noel Kennelly, John Cronin, Bryan Sheehan, Ronán Ó Flatharta.
Final on Sun. 26th Sept. at Croke Park: Kerry 1-20; Mayo 2-9.
Kerry: Diarmuid Murphy, Tom O Sullivan, Mike McCarthy, Aidan O Mahony, Tomás Ó Sé, Eamonn Fitzmaurice, Marc Ó Sé (0-1), William Kirby (0-3), Eoin Brosnan, Liam Hassett, Declan O Sullivan (0-1), Paul Galvin (0-1), Colm Cooper (1-5), Dara Ó Cinnéide (0-8) capt., John Crowley. Subs: Seamus Moynihan for L. Hassett, Mike Frank Russell (0-1) for J. Crowley, Ronan O Connor for D. Ó Cinnéide, Paddy Kelly for P. Galvin, Brendan Guiney for T. Ó Sé, Kieran Cremin, Mícheál Quirke, John Sheehan, Declan Quill, Tommy Griffin, Sean O Sullivan, Noel Kennelly, John Cronin, Bryan Sheehan, Ronan Ó Flatharta.
Kerry Inter-firm Senior Football Championship
Wed. 6th Aug. at Strand Road: AIB 1-13; Kerry Local Authorities 2-9.
Johnny Lynch, Laune Rangers, scored a goal for the Local Authorities in the first half. Terence Houlihan played well for AIB.
Final on Tues. 7th Sept. at Strand Road: AIB 0-16; Kerry Group/Envirocoat 1-5.
AIB: Colm O Shea (Dr. Crokes), Declan Mawe (Emmett’s), Kenneth Leen (Austin Stacks), Terence Houlihan (Laune Rangers) 0-1, Brendan O Regan (Castletownbere), Pa Laide (Austin Stacks) 0-1, Brian Gannon (Laune Rangers) capt. 0-2, Austin Constable (St. Mary’s) 0-2, Tom Griffin (Legion), Brian O Neill (Legion), Darragh Long (Austin Stacks) 0-4, 1 free, Fergus McAuliffe (Gneeveguilla), Tommy O Connor (Legion), Mark Fitzgerald (Kerins O Rahillys) 0-4, 2 frees, James O Mahony (Kilcummin (0-1). Subs: Pa O Connor (Austin stacks) for B. O Neill, Bobby Hennessy (Kenmare) 0-1 for J. O Mahony, Liam Shine for T. O Connor.
All-Ireland Final on Sat. 16th Jan. at Hollymount: McHale Engineering, Mayo 1-9; AIB Kerry 1-6.
AIB Kerry: Pat Carmody, Colm O Shea, Kenneth Leen, Terence Houlihan, John Courtney, Pa Laide, Stephen Stack, Barry O Shea, Fergus McAuliffe (0-1), Paul Heaslip, Dara Long (1-2, 2 frees), Billy O Shea, Brian Gannon (0-1), Colm Cooper (0-2, 1 free), Thomas Griffin. Sub: Declan Mawe for T. Griffin.
Co. Novice Hurling Championship
Rd. 1 on Tues. 17th Aug. at Killorglin: Laune Rangers 0-11; St. Pat’s/Rathmore 2-8.
That was a close and entertaining game and Rangers were very disappointed with the result. They dominated the game in the first half but they failed to convert their possession into scores. The back-line, led by Connie Moynihan, was very tight. Robert Kennedy once again showed his accuracy, hitting over 5 points, Brendan O Shea and Noel Purcell also hit the mark. A goal, shortly before the break, brought the visitors back into the game, leaving only a point between the sides at halftime.
St. Pat’s/Rathmore started the second half well and hit over two points without reply. Robert Kennedy levelled the scores with a point but the visitors scored a goal to leave them ahead by 3 points with 10 minutes left to play. Both teams were in top gear at that stage. Josh Whelan and Robbie Kennedy scored points to leave the bare minimum between the sides. However, the visitors finished strongly and scored two further points to win deservedly.
Laune Rangers: A. Quirke, Aidan McCarthy, Connie Moynihan, Karl Daly, Denis McDonnell, Robert Kennedy (0-8), Brendan O Shea (0-1), Paul Daly, Declan O Shea (capt.), David Lynch, Josh Whelan (0-1), Wayne Doyle, Fergus McCarthy, Noel Purcell (0-1), Brian O Sullivan. Subs: S. Colgan for F. McCarthy, Peter Courtney for S. Colgan.
Co. Junior Hurling League Div. 3
Rd. 1 on Wed. 23rd June at Killarney: St. Pat’s Laune Rangers.
Rd. 2 on Wed. 30th June at Killorglin: Laune Rangers Ballyheigue ‘B’.
South-Kerry Junior Hurling League
Wed. 28th April at Connolly Park: Austin Stacks 3-4; Laune Rangers 2-8.
It was a close and entertaining contest throughout the 60 minutes. Austin Stacks opened with a goal but Laune Rangers replied with 1-5. Brian O Sullivan and Paul Daly were dominant at midfield with Declan O Shea and Shane Stack doing most of the damage up front. In the second half, Stacks fought back and brought the sides level. The last 15 minutes were played at championship intensity with exchanges of scores on both sides. The fullback line of Josh Whelan, Fergus and Aidan McCarthy made great clearances.
Laune Rangers: R. Clifford, Aidan McCarthy, Josh Whelan, Fergus McCarthy, Denis McDonnell, Tom Coleman, C. O Sullivan, Paul Daly (0-3), Brian O Sullivan, Wayne Doyle (0-1), Declan O Shea (0-1), Brendan O Shea, Stephen Daly, Shane Stack, Peter Courtney (2-3). Subs: David Lynch for S. Daly, Eamonn Clifford for P. Courtney, J. Cronin, Alan O Connor, Connie Moynihan.
All-Ireland Ladies’ Junior 7-a-side Football
That was Laune Rangers’ first time taking part in the competition, which was played on the weekend of the Ladies’ All-Ireland SFC final on 2nd Oct. in Naomh Mearnog/St. Sylvester’s GAA Grounds, Dublin.
Rd. 1: Laune Rangers 6-7; Cahir, Co. Tipperary 1-2.
Rd. 2: Laune Rangers 6-7; Enniskillen Gaels 1-1.
Rd. 3: Laune Rangers 4-11; Thomas Davis (Dublin) 0-3.
Rd. 4: Laune Rangers 5-11; Ballinascreen (Derry) 0-3.
Semi-final: Laune Rangers 7-7; Mungret (Limerick) 0-5.
Final: Laune Rangers 6-6; Milltown (Galway) 3-1.
Laune Rangers Panel: Jenny Johnston, Angela Hassett, Muireann Clifford, Triona O Donoghue, Ciara O Connor, Niamh McKenna, Deirdre Dennehy, Sandra Joy, Patrice Dennehy, Sarah Jane Joy, Ann Marie O Donoghue, Eimear Knightley. Mentors – John and Ann O Connor.
Ladies Junior NFL Div. 3B
Rd. 2 on Sun. 8th Feb. at Feenagh: Limerick 2-7; Kerry ‘B’ 3-5.
Kerry: Ciara O Connor (Laune Rangers), Jody O Sullivan (Rathmore), Helen McKenna Abbeydorney) capt., Joanne Spillane (Dr. Crokes), Niamh McKenna (Milltown), Laura Flannery Corca Dhuibhne), Joanne Murphy (Laune Rangers), Mags O Donoghue (Scartaglin) 1-1, 1 pen., Deirdre Dennehy (Dr. Crokes), Llona Dowd (Corca Dhuibhne) 1-1, Ann Marie O Donoghue (Laune Rangers) 1-2, Sarah Jane Joy (do.) 0-1, Helena Falvey (Dr. Crokes), Eileen Sayers (Corca Dhuibhne), Theresa O Mahony Corca Dhuibhne). Subs: Triona O Donoghue (Milltown) for J. Murphy, Deirdre McMahon (Austin Stacks) for L Dowd), Angela Hassett (Laune Rangers) for J. Spillane, Claire Concannon (Churchill) for A.M. O Donoghue, Jenny Murphy (Keel) for E. Sayers.
Rd. 3 on Sun 22nd Feb. at Kilcummin: Kerry ‘B’ 1-7; Waterford 2-3.
Kerry: Ciara O Connor, Josie O Sullivan, Helen McKenna, Joanne Murphy, Laura Ní Fhlannara, Deirdre Dennehy, Niamh McKenna, Mags O Donoghue (0-1), Sarah Jane Joy, Sandra Joy (1-0), Eibhlin Nic an tSaoir, Ann Marie O Donoghue, Helena Falvey (0-4), Theresa Ann O Mahony (0-1), Claire Concannon (0-1). Subs: Deirdre McMahon for S. Joy, Sarah Hickey for E. Nic an tSaoir.
Sun. 14th March at Toomevara: Dublin 4-10; Kerry 1-5.
Kerry: Ciara O Connor, Jody O Sullivan, Helen McKenna, Joanne Murphy, Laura Flannery, Deirdre Dennehy, Niamh McKenna, Mags O Donoghue, Sarah Jane Joy, Sarah Hickey, Eileen Sayers, Ann Marie O Donoghue, Deirdre McMahon, Theresa O Mahony, Claire Concannon. Subs: Llona O Dowd for S. Hickey, Triona O Donoghue for D. Dennehy, Margaret Evans for E. Sayers, Deirdre O Mahony for M. O Donoghue, Angela Hassett for N. McKenna.
Munster/All-Ireland Ladies’ Senior Football Championship
Jenny Johnston, Dungeel, played with Dr. Crokes when Beaufort Ladies’ Club dissolved but transferred to Laune Rangers in 2004. Patrice Dennehy, Beaufort, did likewise.
Rd. 1 on Mon. 12th July at JP O Sullivan Park, Killorglin: Kerry 3-11; Cork 1-11.
Kerry: Andrea O Donoghue (Corca Dhuibhne), Katie Gleeson (Dr. Crokes), Gráinne Ní Fhlatharta (Corca Dhuibhne), Jackie Murnane (Ballyduff), Jenny Johnston (Laune Rangers), Caroline Kelly (Southern Gaels), Siobhán O Connor (Corca Dhuibhne), Sarah O Connor (do.), Edel O Connell (Abbeydorney), Shari Delaney (Ballyduff) 0-1, M. Finnegan (Dr. Crokes), Deirdre Corridan (Southern Gaels) 0-1, Patrice Dennehy (Laune Rangers) 1-0, Geraldine O Shea (Corca Dhuibhne) 1-6, 2 frees, Kacey O Driscoll (Southern Gaels) 1-3. Subs: Katie Kennelly (Ballyduff) for Siobhán O Connor, Laura Ross (Ballyduff) for M. Finnegan.
Rd. 2 on Sat. 24th July at Austin Stack Park: Kerry 1-6; Waterford 2-10.
Kerry: Andrea O Donoghue, Katie Gleeson, Gráinne Ní Fhlatharta, Jackie Murnane, Siobhán O Connor, Caroline Kelly, Jenny Johnston, Mairead Finnegan, Edel O Connell, Shari Delaney (0-1), Sarah O Connor, Deirdre Corridan, Patrice Dennehy (0-1), Geraldine O Shea (0-2), Kacey O Driscoll (0-2). Subs: Katie Kennelly for D. Corridan, Nessa Ní Shúilleabháin for M. Finnegan, C. Sexton for Siobhán O Connor, Noreen Fealey (1-0) for P. Dennehy, M. Kelly for K. Kennelly.
Rd. 3 on Sat. 31st July at Abbeydorney: Kerry 6-19; Clare 1-4.
Kerry: Andrea O Donoghue, Jenny Johnston, Gráinne Ní Fhlatharta, Jackie Murnane, Catherine Sexton, Katie Gleeson, Nessa Ní Shúilleabháin, Caroline Kelly, Edel O Connell, Shari Delaney (1-0), Sarah O Connor (0-5), Katie Kennelly (0-3), Deirdre Corridan, Geraldine O Shea (1-4), Kacey O Driscoll (2-6, 3 frees). Subs: Siobhán O Connor for C. Sexton, Patrice Dennehy (1-1) for D. Corridan, M. Kelly for K. Gleeson, Jennifer Healy for S. Delaney, Noreen Fealey (1-0) for G. O Shea.
Final on Sun. 15th Aug. at Páirc Uí Rinn: Cork 4-13; Kerry 1-9.
Kerry: Andrea o Donoghue, Jenny Johnston, Gráinne Ní Fhlatharta, Jackie Murnane, Siobhán O Connor, Katie Gleeson, Nessa Ní Shúilleabháin, Caroline Kelly, Edel O Connell, Shari Delaney (0-2), Sarah O Connor (0-2), Katie Kennelly, Patrice Dennehy (0-1), Geraldine O Shea (0-3, Kacey O Driscoll (1-1). Subs: Catherine Sexton for N. Ní Shúilleabháin, Gráinne O Malley for J. Johnston, M. Kelly for S. O Connor, Noreen Fealy for C. Sexton, Deirdre Corridan for P. Dennehy.
Quarter-final on Sat. 28th Aug. at Tullamore: Kerry 5-10; Monaghan 3-11.
Kerry: Andrea O Donoghue, Gráinne O Malley, Gráinne Ní Fhlatharta, Jackie Murnane, Katie Gleeson, Edel O Connell, Ríona Ní Chinnéide, Caroline Kelly, Sarah O Connor (0-2, 1 free), Shari Delaney, Patrice Dennehy, Jacinta Murphy, Noreen Fealy (2-2), Geraldine O Shea (3-4, 2 pens.), Kacey O Driscoll (0-2). Subs: Katie Kennelly for R. Ní Chinnéide, Deirdre Corridan for S. Delanney, Jenny Johnston for G. O Malley, Jennifer Healy for J. Murphy.
Semi-final on Sat. 11th Sept. at Portlaois: Dublin 2-14; Kerry 3-8.
Kerry: Andrea O Donoghue, Gráinne O Malley, Gráinne Ní Fhlatharta, Jackie Murnane, Katie Gleeson, Caroline Kelly, Ríona Ní Chinnéide, Edel O Connell, Sarah O Connor, Shari Delaney, Patrice Dennehy (0-1), Jacinta Murphy, Noreen Fealy (0-1), Geraldine O Shea (0-3, 1 free), Kacey O Driscoll (3-1). Subs: Katie Kennelly (0-1) for G. O Malley, Deirdre Corridan (0-1) for S. Delaney.
Munster Ladies’ Junior Football Championship
Rd. 1 on Mon. 12th July at JP O Sullivan Park, Killorglin: Kerry 0-5; Cork 3-9.
Kerry: Ciara O Connor, Gráinne O Malley, H. McKenna, Angela Hassett, L. Flannery, Deirdre Dennehy, J. Spillane, Margaret O Donoghue, Sarah Jane Joy, I. Dowd, Sandra Joy, J. Murphy, Teresa A. O Mahony, Eileen Sayers (0-1), Ann Marie O Donoghue (0-4). Subs: C. Moriarty for J. Murphy, T. O Donoghue for TA O Mahony, Jacinta Murphy for S. Joy.
Rd. 2 on Sat. 24th July at Austin Stack Park: Kerry 0-6; Waterford 0-13.
Kerry: Ciara O Connor, Gráinne O Malley, Angela Hassett, J. Murphy, L. Flannery, Bernie Cronin, Jacinta Murphy, Margaret O Donoghue, Sarah Jane Joy, Sandra Joy (0-4), E. Sayers, Joanne Spillane, I. Dowd, Teresa Ann O Mahony (0-1), Ann Marie O Donoghue (0-1).
Munster Ladies’ Minor Football Championship
Quarter-final on Wed. 7th April at Doon, Co. Limerick: Kerry 5-18; Waterford 3-8.
Kerry: Eimear Knightley (Laune Rangers), Catriona O Sullivan (Legion), Marie Ahern (Corca Dhuibhne), Sarah Hickey (Legion), Laura O Mahony (Abbeydorney), Bernie Cronin (Southern Gaels), Niamh McKenna (Milltown), Caroline Kelly (Southern Gaels) 0-1, Catherine Ní Mhuircheartaigh (Corca Dhuibhne), Linda Cronin (Southern Gaels) 0-4, Sarah Jane Joy (Laune Rangers), Amanda Brosnan (Dr. Crokes) 1-0, Debra Murphy (Legion) 1-1, Kacey O Driscoll (Southern Gaels) 3-8, Deirdre Corridan (Southern Gaels) 0-4. Subs: Katie Warren (Legion) for C. Ní Mhuircheartaigh, Catherine Collins (Abbeydorney) for K. Warren, Rebecca Nolan (Southern Gaels) for N. McKenna, Veronica O Shea (Southern Gaels) for L. O Mahony.
Final on Fri. 25th June at Dunmanway: Cork 2-12; Kerry 1-4.
Kerry: Ciara O Connor, Marie Ahern, D. O Sullivan, C. O Sullivan, Niamh McKenna, Bernie Cronin, J. Murphy, Catherine Ní Mhuircheartaigh, Caroline Kelly, Sarah Jane Joy, Deirdre Corridan, Linda Cronin, Eimear Knightley, Kasey O Driscoll, Amanda Brosnan.
Munster Ladies’ Senior Club Championship
Semi-final on Sat. 9th Oct. at Knocknagree: Laune Rangers 5-14; Cooraclare 0-5.
Laune Rangers: Ciara O Connor, Grainne O Malley, Katie Gleeson, Angela Hassett, Triona O Donoghue, Deirdre Dennehy, Jenny Johnston, Margaret O Donoghue (0-1), Sarah Jane Joy (0-2), Sandra Joy (0-2), Mairead Finnegan, Joanne Spillane, Eimear Knightley (2-2), Patrice Dennehy (1-5, 2 frees), Ann Marie O Donoghue (2-0). Subs: Debra Murphy for A. Hassett, J. Brosnan (0-1) for A.M. O Donoghue, C. Desmond for M. Finnegan, C. Buckley for G. O Malley.
Final on Sun. 17th Oct. at Ballygran: Donoughmore (Cork) 3-13; St. Pat’s 1-5.
St. Pat’s: Ciara O Connor, Grainne O Malley, Katie Gleeson, Jenny Johnston, Niamh McKenna, Deirdre Dennehy, J. Murphy, Sarah Jane Joy (0-1), Margaret O Donoghue (0-1), Sandra Joy, Mairead Finnegan, Joanne Spillane, Eimear Knightley (1-0), Patrice Dennehy (0-3), Ann Marie O Donoghue. Subs: Debra Murphy for S. Joy, J. Brosnan for M. Finnegan, Triona O Donoghue for J. Murphy.
Co. Ladies’ Senior Football Championship
For the purposes of that competition, the county was divided into four: St. Pat’s, Corca Dhuibhne, Southern Gaels and Northern Rangers. The Laune Rangers’ players played with St. Pat’s, as did players from Beaufort, Dr. Crokes, Legion, Scartaglin, Rathmore and Cordal.
Semi-final on Sat. 18th Sept. at JP O Sullivan Park, Killorglin: St. Pat’s 4-8; Corca Dhuibhne 1-9.
St. Pat’s: Ciara O Connor, Gráinne O Malley, Angela Hassett, Triona O Donoghue, Jenny Johnston, Katie Gleeson, Jacinta Murphy, Sarah Jane Joy, Margaret O Donoghue, Sandra Joy (1-1), Patrice Dennehy (0-3), Amanda Brosnan (1-0), Eimear Knightley (0-2), Joanne Spillane (1-0), Debra Murphy (0-1). Subs: C. Buckley for A. Hassett, Mairead Finnegan (1-1) for D. Murphy, Ann Marie O Donoghue for S. Joy.
Final on Fri. 24th Sept. at Beaufort: St. Pat’s 3-10; Southern Gaels 1-15.
St. Pat’s: Ciara O Connor, Gráinne O Malley, Katie Gleeson, Deirdre Dennehy, Jenny Johnston, Jacinta Murphy, Cassandra Buckley, Margaret O Donoghue, Sarah Jane Joy (1-0), Sandra Joy, Patrice Dennehy (0-5), Mairead Finnegan (0-1), Eimear Knightley (1-1), Joanne Spillane (0-1), Ann Marie O Donoghue (1-2). Subs: Niamh McKenna for C. Buckley, C. Desmond for M. Finnegan.
Co. Ladies’ Junior ‘A’ Football Championship
Sun. 5th Sept. at Keel: Laune Rangers Abbeydorney.
Co. U-14 Girls’ Football League
Tues. 17th June: Laune Rangers defeated Beaufort.
Mid-Kerry U-16 Girls’ Football Championship
That was the inaugural year of the U-16 competition.
Final on Sat. 4th Dec. at Beaufort: Laune Rangers 9-11; Glenbeigh/Glencar 4-9.
After a slow start, during which they conceded two soft goals, Laune Rangers got their act together and dominated the remainder of the half, with Sarah Houlihan, captain, leading by example. She finished the game with a personal tally of 5-5. Rangers led at halftime by 6-4 to 3-4. They continued to dominate the second half, powered by Stephanie O Sullivan, Niamh Pigott, Michelle Teahan, Sharon Healy, Ciara O Connor and Anita O Shea. Eventually, they ran out easy winners of a competition that had been organised by Nora Hallissey, Beaufort. As well as those mentioned above, the following also played well: Katie Buckley, Deirdre Quirke, Lorraine Gorman, Aisling Clifford, Elaine McSweeney, Dearbhaill Cronin O Reilly and Ann Marie Healy.
Mid-Kerry U-14 Girls’ Football Championship
Final on Sat. 6th Nov. at Beaufort: Beaufort defeated Laune Rangers.
Mid-Kerry U-12 Girls’ Football Championship
Final on Sat. 6th Nov. at Beaufort: Beaufort lost to Laune Rangers.
Administration/Miscellany
Sean Kelly, Ciarraí, was Uachtarán CLG.
Jerome Conway was re-appointed as Secretary of Féile na nGael, which was held in The Midlands – the base was Navan. Chairman of the committee was Jim Berry (Wexford), while other members were Jim Whelan (Coca-Cola), Donal Hickey (Dublin), Seamus Elliot (Antrim) and Sheila Wallace (Cumann Camógaíochta na nGael).
Jerome Conway was Chairman of the Munster Club League Committee.
The Convention of the Kerry Co. Board was held on Wed. 10th December 2003. The following officers were elected: Chairman – Sean Walsh, Vice-Chairman – Jerome Conway, Secretary – Eamonn O Sullivan, Joint Treasurers – John McMahon and JJ O Carroll, Delegate to Central Council – Gerald McKenna, Delegates to Munster Council – Teddy O Sullivan and Peter Twiss, Youth Officer – Michael McCarthy, Cultural Officer – Liam Cotter, Development Officer – Patrick O Sullivan, PRO – Willie O Connor, Coaching Officer – Bernie Reen.
Jerome Conway was Chairman/Secretary of Coiste Iomána Chiarraí. Bart Moriarty was Chairman of the Referees’ Appointment Committee, with Michael O Sullivan (Ballymac) as Secretary.
At the Co. Convention of the Kerry Co. Board, James Coffey stepped down as Joint-Treasurer, a position he had held for the previous 30 years.
On Wednesday 11th Feb. at the Ross Inn, Glenbeigh, retired Co. Board Treasurer, James Coffey, his wife, Kitty, and their family attended a very enjoyable retirement function in his honour, hosted by the Executive of Coiste Chontae Chiarraí. The Uachtarán of CLG, Sean Kelly, Chairman of the Co. Board, Sean Walsh, Vice-Chairman, Jerome Conway, Secretary, Eamonn O Sullivan, former Co. Secretary, Tony O Keeffe, PRO, Willie O Connor, were all in attendance. It was a night of celebration and nostalgia and one which was enjoyed by everybody who had been fortunate to be there. Sean Kelly and Sean Walsh paid glowing tributes to James’ lifelong commitment to the GAA in the many administrative roles he had held in the association at club level with Laune Rangers, with the Mid-Kerry Board and as Treasurer of the Co. Board for thirty-one years. Gerald McKenna, who had been unable to attend, wrote a beautifully composed letter of tribute to his life-long friend and fellow officer, in which he recounted many anecdotes and stories about James’ exceptional talent and commitment as an officer of the Co. Board. In his reply, James’s personal recollections of events and happenings at the Co. Board were a real treat and his memories, along with some great stories, kept his listeners enthralled. He paid tribute to all the officers both past and present and he was also very grateful to the office staff at the Pavilion for their help and courtesy during his time as Treasurer.
The Annual Convention of the Mid-Kerry Board was held on Thurs. 29th Jan. at Beaufort. The following officers were elected: President – Fr. Brian Kelly (Glenbeigh), Chairman – John Twiss (Milltown/Castlemaine), Vice-Chairman – James Doyle (Beaufort), Secretary – Patrick McCarthy (Cromane), Treasurers – George Evans (Keel), Dan Carey (Cromane), PRO – Patrick Casey (Cromane). A motion from Beaufort was passed that all senior, U-21 and minor championship games be played on a home or away fixture arrangement between the clubs with immediate effect.
Mid-Kerry Bord na nOg was organised by Beaufort Club. Chairman – Dermot O Sullivan, Secretary – Michael O Sullivan.
The AGM of Laune Rangers Bord na nOg was held in the Fishery on Fri. 6th Feb. The attendance consisted of John Quirke (Chairman), Colm Conway (Secretary), Pat Pigott, Iraneus Looney, Diarmuid O Sullivan, Maurice Corkery, Enda Clifford, John Clifford, John Griffin, John O Connor, Brian O Shea, John O Dwyer, Mary Quirke, Bart Moriarty, Patrick O Connor, Ger Flynn, Joe Clifford, John Foley, Michael Corkery, Mary Flynn.
The Chairman welcomed all and thanked them for attending. The Secretary’s Report was given at the end of 2003. Chairman, John Quirke, addressed the meeting. He thanked all the mentors, coaches and parents for their work throughout the year. At U-8 level, he complimented the work with over 40 boys and girls and welcomed any newcomers and stressed the importance of new members. This was echoed at U-10 level. At U-12, he praised the work done by John O Dwyer and Diarmuid O Sullivan and said that their work had helped as a spring-board for success at U-14. The U-14’s were complimented for a terrific final win over Beaufort. John thanked our sponsors, including Flynn’s buses, Starlite Laundrette and he asked Laune Rangers to support our sponsors. The Chairman also made special mention of the tragic loss John Healy was to the community. He was a great Laune Ranger and his presence would be sorely missed.
John Clifford, Laune Rangers’ Senior Club Chairman, then addressed the meeting. In a brief few words, he thanked all coaches and mentors for the time and effort put into Bord na nOg over the year. He wished all involved continued success in the coming year.
The following officers were then elected:
Chairman – Pat Pigott (proposed by John Clifford and seconded by Bart Moriarty).
Vice-Chairman – Joe Hayes (proposed by Bart Moriarty and seconded by John Clifford).
Secretary – Colm Conway (proposed by Bart Moriarty and seconded by Maurice Corkery).
PRO – Diarmuid O Sullivan (proposed by Bart Moriarty and seconded by John O Dwyer).
The mentors of the various teams were then appointed:
U-8 – Dermot O Shea, James Ferris, Eoin Ferris, John Quirke, John Foley, James O Mahony, Michael O Sullivan.
U-10 – Iraneus Looney, Donal Pigott and Brian O Shea.
U-12 – John O Dwyer, Diarmuid O Sullivan, Pat O Connor.
U-14 – Brian O Shea, Michael Corkery, Denis Cleary, Iraneus Looney.
U-16 – Patsy Joy. At the time of the meeting, Patsy Joy had not finalised his management team. Later, the mentors were revealed as James Riordan, Eamonn Carey and John Quirke.
Pat Pigott, having returned as Chairman, said that he was delighted that all mentors were in place at the time of the AGM. He emphasised that Laune Rangers were not the automatic first-choice for new families in Killorglin. He pointed out opposition clubs and sports that had come to the fore. Laune Rangers, as a club, needed to target those families. He pointed out that kids appreciate professionalism and a positive approach. The club must meet the challenge and keep the games and training enjoyable and keep and nurture the players. Finally, he wished for harmony within the club and asked people to voice their grievances/problems in the appropriate forum – club meetings – not elsewhere.
The following items were discussed:
- Brian O Shea expressed his disappointment that only one senior player – Eoin Ferris – attended U-10 training on Sunday mornings. He said that the club was lucky to have high-profile players at its disposal and greater use should be made of them in that regard. Bart Moriarty agreed with those sentiments.
- Enda Clifford expressed concern that mentors were not sufficiently informed in the area of First Aid and gave two examples of incidents during the year. The Secretary replied that the senior club were in the process of organising a course for all its coaches.
- John O Dwyer sought clarification on who should look after the U-13 and U-15 teams. It was agreed that a member of the grades above and below would look after the teams (i.e. one each from U-12 and U-14 would look after the U-13 team and similarly with the U-15 team).
- Pat Pigott emphasised the importance of having an open day to attract new members to the club.
- Joe Clifford complained of a lack of football for some U-14 players. He asked why there was no ‘B’ team. It was pointed out that the numbers were not there. John O Dwyer said that more football should be organised for U-13 and U-15 players. Blitzes or trips to play Cork teams might be a way of providing those players with more games.
- Michael Corkery said that the U-14 players had been promised track-suits by their mentors during the year. He said that he had secured €500 for that and requested that the club would make up the difference. It was agreed that the club would do that. John Griffin expressed concern that a precedent might be set by supplying those players with track-suits.
- Brian O Shea wondered why the players did not have gear-bags. It had been said that they were in the pipe-line from the senior board. John O Dwyer said that more mobile goal-posts should be available. He also asked if the club should take the players to see the new GAA Museum in Croke Park.
- Votes of sympathy were passed to the Houlihan Family, Douglas, and to the families of Francis McMahon and John Healy.
The Chairman, John Quirke, thanked all for attending and wished Laune Rangers Bord na nOg every success in the coming year.
The centenary of Kerry’s first All-Ireland Senior Football Championship title in 1903 was marked with a commemorative lecture and seminar, followed by a panel discussion in the Co. Library on Sat. 24th Jan. The panel session was chaired by Jerome Conway, Vice-Chairman of Kerry Co. Board, and the members of the panel were Eugene McGee, Ogie Moran, John O Dowd (of the Kerryman) and Sean Walsh (Chairman Kerry Co. Board.).
Football Challenge game on Sat. 17th Jan. at Templenoe: Underdogs 0-13; Kenmare All-Stars 0-11.
Billy O Shea, Laune Rangers, played on the forty for Kenmare All-Stars. The proceeds of the event went to the Irish Cancer Society.
Mike Frank Russell was chosen as Sports-star for the month of April by the Kerry Supporters’ Club. Martin Leane, Club PRO, said that the Laune Rangers man had been in terrific form that season. ‘His brand of play has been terrific and he has really stood out during the National League. It’s great to see him back to his best after injury and he will be a leading light during the Championship. The manner in which he converted the three penalties during the league showed just how confident he is at the moment.’
Liam Hassett was chosen as sports-star of the month of October by the Kerry Supporters’ Club.
Laune Rangers continued with the weekly Lotto, which had become its main source of income for the day-to-day running of the club. The lotto sellers included Margaret Browne, Kerry (Galvin) O Connor,
The results were as follows:
Sun. 4th Jan. (jackpot of €2,200 not won) – Prize-winners: €95 Jimmy Wong; €50 Joe Crowley, Main Street; €50 Barry Woods, Laharn.
Sun. 11th Jan. (jackpot of €2,400 not won) – Prize-winners: €95 Brendan Tyther; €50 John Houlihan, Iveragh Park; €50 Eddie O Donoghue, Market Street.
Sun. 25th Jan. (jackpot of €2,800 not won) – Prize-winners: €95 Hannah Scannell; €50 Jackie O Sullivan; €50 Agnes Murphy, Steelroe.
Sun. 1st Feb. (jackpot of €3,000 not won) – Prize-winners: €95 Donal Murphy, Knocknaboola; €50 Pa Galvin, Ardmoniel; €50 Nicholas Murphy, Mountain View.
Sun. 8th Feb. (jackpot of €3,200 not won) – Prize-winners: €95 Colette O Sullivan, Iveragh Park; €50 Delia Casey, Gurrane West; €50 Finbarr Kelliher, Beaufort.
Sun. 15th Feb. (jackpot of €3,400 not won) – Prize-winners: €95 James Kelly; €50 Tommy Woods, Laharn; €50 Niall O Meara, Dunmaniheen.
Sun. 22nd Feb. (jackpot of €3,600 not won) – Prize-winners: €95 Liam Concannon, Langford Street; €50 Bridie Naughton; €50 Diarmuid O Sullivan, Mill Road.
Sun. 7th March (jackpot of not won) – Prize-winners: €95 Moss Joy, Laune View; €50 Brisdie Cronin; €50 Brendan Teahan, Cromane.
Sun. 14th March – jackpot of € won by Brian Hurley, Cromane.
Sun. 21st March – jackpot of €1,600 won by Michael O Sullivan, 92 Iveragh Park.
Sun. 28th March (jackpot of €1,600 not won) – Prize-winners: €95 Mrs. O Shea, Sunhill; €50 Andrew Foley, Tulligmore; €50 Conor Falvey, Lower Bridge Street.
Sun. 4th April (jackpot of €1,800 not won) – Prize-winners: €95 Marette Cronin, Melrose Grove; €50 Noreen Power, Annadale Road; €50 J. and B. Coffey.
Sun. 25th April (jackpot of €2,400 not won).
Sun. 8th May – jackpot of €2,800 won by Olive Diggin, West Laharn.
Sun. 29th May (jackpot of €1,800 not won) – Prize-winners: €95 Kathleen Fitzgerald, Killarney Road; €50 Christy Casey; €50 Gerald O Sullivan.
Sun. 6th June (jackpot of €2,000 not won) – Prize-winners: €95 Michael O Sullivan, Iveragh Park; €50 Jackie O Sullivan; €50 Bridie Naughton, Rangue.
Sun. 13th June (jackpot of €2,200 not won).
Sun. 27th June (jackpot of €2,600 not won) – Prize-winners: €95 Sean Crowley, Groyne; €50 M. O Sullivan, Tullig; €50 Helen Cahill.
Sun. 4th July (jackpot of €2,800 not won) – Prize-winners: €95 Mary Ferris, Beaufort; €50 Maura Brosnan, Gleneagle P&P; €50 Jerome O Sullivan, Steelroe. Quarterly standing-order draw for €500 – Helen Brazil, Maynooth.
Sun. 11th July (jackpot of €3,000 not won).
Sun. 18th July – jackpot of €3,200 won by Patsy Cronin, Melrose Grove.
Sun. 25th July (jackpot of €1,800 not won) – Prize-winners: €95 Miss Lyons, Iveragh Road; €50 Tom O Shea, Mountain View; €50 Denis Murphy, Caragh Lake.
Sun. 1st Aug. – jackpot of €2,000 won by Marian Mahony, Tulligmore.
Sun. 8th Aug. (jackpot of €1,600 not won) – Prize-winners: €95 John Foley, Reen; €50 Christopher Linehan, Lonart; €50 Paudie Cronin, Iveragh Park.
Sun. 15th Aug. (jackpot of €1,800 not won) – Prize-winners: €95 John Cronin, Iveragh Park; €50 Mary Josephine Teahan, Mountain Stage; €50 Jack McKenna, Dublin.
Sun. 22nd Aug. (jackpot of €2,000 not won) – Prize-winners: €95 Caroline O Connor, Iveragh Park; €50 Muiris Durnan, c/o Shamrock Bar; €50 Carol Newport, Tulligmore.
Sun. 29th Aug. (jackpot of €2,200 not won) – Prize-winners: €95 Mary Taylor, Glencar; €50 Marguerite O Connor; €50 Judy Foley, Reen.
Sun. 5th Sept. (jackpot of €2,400 not won) – Prize-winners: €95 Des Ahern, Laharn; €50 Oisín O Sullivan; €50 Moss Harmon, Laune View.
Sun. 12th Sept. (jackpot of €2,600 not won) – Prize-winners: €95 Nora Ashe; €50 Thomas O Sullivan; €50 Kay Russell, Iveragh Park.
Sun. 19th Sept. (jackpot of €2,800 not won) – Prize-winners: €95 Michael Lyttle, Cromane Upper; €50 M. Taylor; €50 Francis Griffin.
Sun. 7th Nov. (jackpot of €4,000 not won) – Prize-winners: €95 Vincent Heffernan, Kilderry; €50 Mary Sweeney, Caragh Lake; €50 Edith Pacheco, Clover Hill Close.
Sun. 14th Nov. (jackpot of €4,200 not won) – Prize-winners: €95 Con Lucey, Laharn; €50 Mike Dowd, Tulligmore; €50 Timmy O Connor, Douglas.
Sun. 21st Nov. (jackpot of €4,400 not won) – Prize-winners: €95 Dominic Flaherty, Iveragh Park; €50 James Cahillane, Laharn West; €50 Adam Carey, Lonart. Quarterly standing-order draw for €500 – Shane and Shivaun O Sullivan, Anglont.
Sun. 28th Nov. (jackpot of €4,600 not won) – Prize-winners: €95 Peggy O Sullivan, Corbally; €50 Teresa o Sullivan, Tullig; €50 DJ, c/o Coffey’s.
Sun. 5th Dec. (jackpot of €4,800 not won) – Prize-winners: €95 Kieran Clifford, Mountain View; €50 Pat Dunne, Langford Street; €50 Kathleen Cahillane.
Sun. 12th Dec. (jackpot of €5,000 not won).
Sun. 19th Dec. (jackpot of € not won) – Prize-winners: €95 Margaret Everett, Abbeydorney; €50 Marian Ahern, Iveragh Park; €50 Frank McGillycuddy, Ardnaknockeen. Bottles of whiskey were won by Gretta Florence, Mary Taylor, Carmel hayes, Brendan O Reilly, Margaret Griffin, Hannah O Riordan.
Sun. 26th Dec. – no lotto.
Laune Rangers entered a team (€300) into the Killorglin CYMS Golf Classic in Killorglin Golf Club on Fri. 4th June.
Laune Rangers received €320 from the Irish Sports Council Sport for Young People Grant Scheme on 10th March.
Peter Lyons refereed the following games, amongst others, for the Kerry Co. Board:
Senior Football Championship on Sun. 20th June at Lewis Road: Dr. Crokes 1-22; West-Kerry 1-12.
Intermediate Championship semi-final on Sun. 31st Oct. at Listry: Annascaul 2-10; Valentia 1-11.
Peter Lyons refereed the following games, amongst others, for the Mid-Kerry Board:
SFL on Sun. 15th Feb. at Keel: Keel 0-8; Glenbeigh/Glencar 0-5.
U-21 Championship on Sat. 13th March at Keel: Keel Milltown/Castlemaine.
U-16 Football Final on Thurs. 14th May at Beaufort: Glenbeigh/Glencar 1-10; Milltown/Castlemaine 2-6.
Minor League final on Sat. 18th Sept. at Beaufort: Beaufort 5-12; Milltown/Castlemaine 1-6.
Peter Lyons refereed the following game for the Tralee District Board:
SFC Final on Sat. 2nd Oct. at Austin Stack Park: Austin Stacks 1-12; Kerins O Rahillys 1-7.
Peter Lyons refereed the following game, amongst others, for the West-Kerry Board:
SFC Final on Sun. 19th Dec. at Dingle: Lispole 0-12; Annascaul 0-8.
Peter Lyons refereed the following games, amongst others, for the Kerry Colleges:
Dunloe Cup Final on Tues. 2nd March at Cromane: Coláiste na Sceilge 2-4; Tralee CBS 1-7.
Russell Shield Final on Wed. 12th May at Spa: Kenmare CS 1-19; St. Patrick’s, Castleisland 1-5.
O Sullivan Cup semi-final on Sat. 4th Sept. at Cromane: Cromane 2-11; Glenbeigh/Glencar 1-12.
Peter Lyons refereed the following game, amongst others, for Munster Colleges:
Ladies’ Junior ‘A’ Final at Inchigeela on Fri. 12th March: St. Brigid’s, Killarney 3-6; Beara CS 1-9.
Pat Pigott refereed the following games, amongst others, for the Kerry Co. Board:
SFL on Sun. 14th Sept. at Spa: Spa 0-12; Ballymac 0-8.
IFC semi-final on Sun. 31st Oct. at Listry: Annascaul 2-10; Valentia 1-11.
Pat Pigott refereed the following games for the Kerry Ladies’ Co. Board:
Senior Championship semi-final on Sat. 18th Sept. at Killorglin: St. Pat’s 4-8; Corca Dhuibhne 1-9.
Southern Gaels 1-10; Northern Rangers 1-7.
The death occurred in early January of Jim Sheehy, St. Brendan’s Park, Tralee and formerly of Cloon, Killorglin. He was 86 years of age.He had played with Laune Rangers in the forties. He was father to Mikey Sheehy, Austin Stacks.
The death occurred, after a tragic road accident on 23rd January, of Johnny Healy, Tullig (aged 39). He had played as a juvenile and minor footballer with Laune Rangers.
The tragic accidental death occurred in Sydney of Noel Clifford (24), Dromin on Sat. 19th Sept. He had played at juvenile level with Laune Rangers.
Kerry played 16 competitive senior football games in 2004. Liam Hassett played in 10 of them and 6 as a substitute. Mike Frank Russell played in 13 of them and 2 as a substitute. John Sheehan started one game and played as a substitute in 5. MF Russell was Kerry’s top scorer with 4-50 (0-29 frees, 3-0 penalties, 0-1, ‘45’), while Liam Hassett scored 0-7.
Scór na bPáistí Mid-Kerry finals were held in Milltown Community hall on Sat. 3rd March. That competition was run along the same lines as Scór na nOg but was confined to primary schools. Scoil Mhuire, Killorglin won the figure dancing and the set dancing. The following girls participated in the dancing competitions: Aisling McSweeney, Kiera Carolan, Aisling Clifford, Johanna O Callaghan, Katie Standen, Kerrie O Shea, Tara Carolan, Lisa Tuohy, Joanne O Sullivan and Niamh O Connor.
Mid-Kerry U-12 ‘A’ Final on Sun. 8th Aug. at Beaufort: Cromane/Listry 3-11; Milltown/Castlemaine 2-5.
Mid-Kerry U-16 final on Thurs. 14th May at Beaufort: Glenbeigh/Glencar 1-10; Milltown/Castlemaine 2-6.
Mid-Kerry U-21 Football Final on Sat. 1st May at Glenbeigh: Glenbeigh/Glencar 2-14; Beaufort 0-6.
O Sullivan Cup Final on Sun. 3rd Oct. at Beaufort: Keel 2-11; Cromane 0-5.
Co. U-21 Football Championship final on Wed. 8th Sept. at ASP: South-Kerry 1-9; Mid-Kerry 0-7.
Co. MFL Div. 1 final on Sat. 22nd May at Austin Stack Park: Dr. Crokes 1-11; Kerins O Rahillys 0-7.
Co. MFC final on Sun. 7th Nov. at Fitzgerald Stadium: East-Kerry 1-13; South-Kerry 0-14.
Co. U-16 Football final on Thurs. 19th Aug. at Killorglin: Kerins O Rahillys 1-10; Dr. Crokes 0-8.
Co. Junior Football Final on Sun. 28th Nov. at Austin Stack Park: Finuge 1-10; Lispole 1-7.
Co. Intermediate Football Final on Sun. 14th Nov. at Austin Stack Park: Dingle 1-11; Annascaul 0-10.
Co. Senior Club Champ. Final on Sun. 14th Nov. at ASP: Milltown/Castlemaine 1-8; Laune Rangers 1-4.
Co. SFL Div. 1 final on Sun. 5th Dec. at Fitzgerald Stadium: Dr. Crokes 3-8; Austin Stacks 1-13.
Co. Novice Football Final on Sun. 19th Dec. at Listry: Glenbeigh/Glencar 2-5; Churchill 1-6.
Laune Rangers’ Coiste na nOg held a family fun-day on Sun. 22nd Aug. in the J.P. O Sullivan Park. There were games, barbeque, bouncy castle, face-painting, traditional music and dancing.
Senior football challenge game on Sat. 24th Jan. in Clarecastle: Galway 3-13; Kerry 2-8.
Kerry: Declan O Keeffe, Tom O Sullivan, Eamonn Fitzmaurice, Mike McCarthy, Brendan Guiney, Seamus Moynihan, Aidan O Mahony, Seamus Scanlon, William Kirby, Sean O Sullivan (0-1), Eoin Brosnan (0-1), Paul Galvin (0-1), Declan O Sullivan, Ronan O Connor (0-3), Mike Frank Russell (1-1, 1 free). Subs: Liam Hassett for MF Russell, Paddy Kelly (1-0) for D. O Sullivan, Diarmuid Murphy for D. O Keeffe, Donal Daly for S. Scanlon, Tommy Griffin for W. Kirby, John Cronin (0-1) for S. Moynihan, Ronan O Connor (Kilcummin) for S. O Sullivan, Mossie Lyons for T. O Sullivan, MF Russell for M. McCarthy, Brendan O Mahony for A. O Mahony.
The official opening of Knocknagoshel Pitch took place on Sun. 27th June: Kerry 4-10; Offaly 1-10.
Kerry: Diarmuid Murphy, Marc Ó Sé, Tommy Griffin, Aidan O Mahony, Tomás Ó Sé, Eamonn Fitzmaurice, John Sheehan, Darragh Ó Sé, Seamus Scanlon, Paul Galvin (1-0), Liam Hassett, Eoin Brosnan (0-2), Declan Quill (1-2), Dara Ó Cinnéide (1-4, 3 frees), John Crowley (1-2). Subs: Kieran Cremin for D. Murphy, Brendan O Mahony for A. O Mahony, Ronán Ó Flatharta for M. Ó Sé, Paddy Kelly for T. Ó Sé, Donal daly for D. Ó Sé, Mícheál Quirke for S. Scanlon, Ronan O Connor for L. Hassett, Colm Cooper for P. Galvin.
President of Laune Rangers’ Golf Society for the year was Aidan Gannon, while the Captain was Gene Evans.
The Laune Rangers qualifying round of Scór na nOg was held in Scoil Mhuire on Fri. 19th Nov. the following young people were successful and represented the club at the Mid-Kerry finals in Beaufort on Fri. 26th Nov:
Rinnce Foirne – Niamh O Connor, Kiera Carolan, Johanna O Callaghan, Katie Standen.
Amhránaíocht Aonair – Laura Cahillane.
Ceol Uirlise – Roisín Looney, Nicole Mangan, Karen Joy.
Tráth na gCeist – Liam Clifford, Tadhg Iarla Curran, Morgan O Sullivan.
Bailéad Grúpa – Aisling McSweeney, Cliodhna McSweeney, Shauna Begley.
Rinnce Set – Tara Carolan, Kerrie O Shea, Aisling Clifford, Kiera Carolan, Joanne O Sullivan, Lisa Tuohy, Joanne O Callaghan, Niamh O Connor.
Laune Rangers came in second place in the Rinnce Foirne, Ceol Uirlise, Tráth na gCeist and Rinnce Set. The club also came joint-second in the competition for the best overall club in Scor na nOg in Mid-Kerry.
Laune Rangers held its annual Social in the Manor Inn on Sat. 26th March 2005. Tickets cost €25 and music was by Billy Donegan and Jambylia. The Chairman, Joseph Crowley, made presentations to John Clifford, John Griffin, Pat O Shea and Jerry Coffey – all retiring officers of the club. The ‘B’ team player-of-the-year was Gerard (twin) O Sullivan, while Conor Falvey was announced by trainer, John Evans, was senior player-of-the-year and received the Mike O Donnell Perpetual Trophy.
The AGM of Laune Rangers’ Coiste na nOg was held in the Fishery on Mon. 17th Jan. 2005. Colm Conway, Secretary, gave the following report: “Yet again, it was a very productive year for Laune Rangers’ Bord na nOg. From February to November, a total of 76 games were played in 2004.
U-8 & U-10
Great numbers attended on Sunday mornings throughout the year, as some of Killorglin’s youths took their first steps with Laune Rangers. Challenge games were organised with Millstreet, home and away, Legion, home and away, Austin Stacks and Listowel. Three teams travelled to Beaufort to contest the Mid-Kerry blitz. Our 11-a-side team finished runners-up to the hosts, while our two other teams contested the 9-a-side final. The year was ended with the traditional parish-league, which proved very successful. Many thanks to Brian O Shea, Iraneus Looney, John Foley (Reen) and Donal Pigott for their dedication all year and to Pat O Sullivan (Sunhill), Tom Courtney, Kathy O Connor, John and Mary Quirke for assisting in the parish league.
The U-8’s progressed well since the beginning of the year and played some matches. Many thanks to Eoin Ferris, James Ferris, Dermot O Shea, John Quirke, James O Mahony and all other parents/helpers who aided during the year.
U-12 (Sponsored by Jamie Clifford Painting and Decorating)
The U-12 team, under the guidance of the very committed duo of John O Dwyer and Diarmuid O Sullivan, battled well all year and were rewarded with a victory over Na Gaeil in the Tralee District ‘B’ Final. Success eluded our boys in the Co. League, phase 1 and phase 2, as well as the Mid-Kerry Championship. This was possibly due to a lack of effort on behalf of the players earlier in the season but they rallied well to cap off the year with some silverware. With greater commitment, this bunch of players will become a successful group in the years to come. Our thanks to their trainers for their positive contributions during the year.
U-14 – Sponsored by Flynn’s Bus Hire
Our U-14 team swept the boards this year, winning the treble in a long but hugely successful year. The year began with the capture of the Co. Championship Div. 1 title with a first-class display in the final over Dr. Crokes. This was our first title at this level since the early 1990’s. The team followed this up with a comprehensive win over Beaufort in the Mid-Kerry ‘A’ Final. The treble was secured with a narrow win against Kerins O Rahillys in the Tralee District ‘A’ Final, played very late in the year in poor conditions. The team, also, was one of Kerry’s representatives in Féile na Mumhan, which was held in Limerick. They progressed to the final but were just pipped by Ahane of Limerick. The domination of the team was reflected in the selection of the Mid-Kerry U-14 Co. Championship squad, which had 10 representatives from Laune Rangers. Powered by the Rangers’ spine, they defeated Tralee District in the final in atrocious conditions in Lewis Road. Jeremy O Callaghan accepted the trophy on behalf of Mid-Kerry. None of this success would have been possible without the massive efforts of the management team of Brian O Shea, Denis Cleary, Iraneus Looney, Sean Moriarty and Michael Corkery. Keep the trophies coming, lads!
U-13 & U-15 – Sponsored by Flynn’s Bus Hire
The U-13 team contested the Tralee District competition, which was run on a knock-out basis. Having easily disposed of O Rahillys in the semi-final, Rangers took on Austin Stacks in the final but had to settle for second best, as the ‘Rockies’ won out on the day. Thanks to John O Dwyer and Brian O Shea for looking after the team.
The U-15’s played in Div. 1 of the Co. Championship and were knocked out at the quarter-final stage by Kerins O Rahillys in the JP O Sullivan Park. A big thank-you to the U-16 management team, which took charge of the team.
U-16 – sponsored by The Fishery
Our U-16 team battled gamely all year but silverware eluded them despite their efforts. The team comprised mainly of U-15’s. Therefore this year will have given them good experience for next year. Congratulations to Kevin Flynn who won a Munster U-16 Championship medal with Kerry South, then they defeated Limerick in Fitzgerald Stadium. Kevin is presently on the Co. Development Squad and we wish him well. Our thanks to the mentors Eamonn Carey, Patsy Joy and James Riordan who were assisted by the coaching of former senior players Paul Griffin and Mark O Connor.
Open/Family Day
A very successful family day was organised in August by Bord na nOg. A large crowd gathered to partake in the activities organised on the day by a very hard-working committee. It was very heartening to see so many people, young and old, familiar and not so familiar. Activities such as bouncy castles, ball games, poc fada, giant barbecue and a 1989 Co. Champions exhibition match were the highlights of the day. A huge thank-you to all who helped organise the event, as well as those who donated food for the barbecue, especially Ger Counihan and Michael Cahillane. Laune Rangers also appreciate the time and efforts of the musicians and dancers who helped make the day a memorable one.
Laune Rangers Bord na nOg would also like to thank the following:
- All the sponsors of our underage teams mentioned above.
- The Starlite Laundrette for their continued and generous sponsorship.
- Flynn’s Bus Hire for transport throughout the season and sponsorship of track-suits for the U-14’s.
- Mary Clifford for her continued work with Scór in the club.
- Referees who officiated at games on behalf of Laune Rangers Bord na nOg.
- Laune Rangers’ Senior Board, particularly Chairman John Clifford and Secretary John Griffin, for their support during the year.
- Laune Rangers Club for their generous sponsorship of gear-bags and t-shirts to all our underage teams.
- Our excellent PRO, Diarmuid O Sullivan, for his very professional approach to the job.
- Our Chairman, Pat Pigott, for his ambition, foresight and dedication to the task.
- All those who helped Laune Rangers Bord na nOg in any way throughout the year.
Note
It is the turn of Laune Rangers to run Mid-Kerry Bord na nOg for the coming year. Pat Pigott will act as Chairman and Colm Conway as Secretary.
Finally, I would like to wish everybody in Laune Rangers Bord na nOg a very successful 2005 and encourage more of our club members to get involved in our youth structure – after-all, they are our future.
Colm Ó Conbhaí,
Rúnaí
Bord na nOg
Fánaithe na Leamhna.”
John Griffin, Secretary, delivered this report at the Laune Rangers’ AGM in Scoil Mhuire on 15th January 2005: “Seo thíos mo thuairisc ar phríomh-imeachtaí Cumann Lúthchleas Gael Fánuithe na Leamhna i rith na bliana 2004. This tear was a good year for the club at most levels, with teams competing in and, in many cases, winning finals. John Evans again led the senior team to the Co. Final, which brought a great buzz to the club and the town. Seeing the blue and white flags on the bridge reminds us of the great support there is for the club.
Administration
During the year, there were 12 club meetings. The average attendance at club meetings is 10. The club meeting os the forum where all activities of the club should be co-ordinated and new ideas developed. Presently, it is left to a small number to organise and run all our activities. Every member has an obligation to participate in some way in the activities of the club.
Sponsorship
Killorglin Credit Union continues to be the club’s main sponsor. We thank them for their generous support of the club and we hope that both the club and Credit Union continue to benefit form this sponsorship. Thanks, particularly, to Agnes Foley, Manager of the Credit Union, who is always very supportive of the club. Thanks, also, to Sean Murphy, Starlite Cleaners, who continues to look after the cleaning of all the club’s jerseys and to the many others who sponsor and support the club throughout the year. We ask you all to support our sponsors.
Finance
The Finance Committee continues to raise much needed funds for the funning of the club. The committee ran a very successful Golf Classic fund-raiser in July. Our main sponsor for this event was John Foley of Accelerated Drain Cleaning, who is very generous in his support of club events. Our Race-night in December was also a great success. In addition to the events above, they also increased the standing-order lotto sales to over 400 and fund-raised to finance the Co. Final expenses. The business community in town was canvassed for the Co. Final and, as always, was very supportive. Thanks are due to all, particularly Christy Kissane, who sponsored the meal after the Co. Final. The weekly Lotto continues to be our biggest source of income. Great credit is due to our CYMS regulars, who look after it every week. The Treasurers will give their report later.
Media
Thanks to the members of the local media for their coverage throughout the year.
Membership
There are approx 400 full members of the club this year. This is a significant drop on last year. This drop in numbers is largely due to the fact that free entry to Championship games no longer exists. The date for renewal of member ship is January 1st and subscriptions should be paid no later than 28th February each year.
Insurance
We continue to have a small number of players and mentors who are not members of the club. This is worrying, as they are not covered by the club’s insurance.
Development Work
Lotto funding has been granted for the proposed development in the JP O Sullivan Park and preparatory work is well underway, with tenders being sought from interested sub-contractors.
Bord na nOg
Thanks to Chairman, Pat Pigott, and Secretary, Colm Conway, for the tremendous amount of work they have put into our underage players during the year. They will give their report later.
Social
James Ferris organised a very enjoyable night in the Manor on the 21st Feb. Johnny Galvin became the first winner of the Club Person-of-the Year award.
Golf Society
The Society had 4 very enjoyable outings, playing in Killarney, Killorglin for the President’s prize, Castleisland for the Captain’s prize, and Dooks for the Christmas Hamper. Thanks to President, Aidan Gannon, Captain, Gene Evans, and Secretary, Pa Fleming.
Teams
The senior team had a mixed year. In the Co. Championship, after outstanding performance against East-Kerry, Dr. Crokes and An Ghaeltacht, we lost the Co. Final against South-Kerry. In the Club Championship, we lost to local rivals, Milltown/Castlemaine. We won the Mid-Kerry League, with victory over Milltown/Castlemaine in October and against the same opposition in the Mid-Kerry Championship Final, victory was ours after a thrilling game.
Our ‘B’ team won the Mid-Kerry ‘B’ Championship and retained Division 4 status, but lost our Molyneaux Cup title to Dr. Crokes.
Our ‘C’ team had a disappointing league campaign but enjoyed a good run in the Barrett Cup, betting to the semi-final before being defeated by Ardfert ‘B’.
Our U-21’s lost out to Mid-Kerry in the Co. Championship and to Beaufort in the Mid-Kerry Championship.
Our minors had a good year, enjoying a great run in the Co. Championship, defeating Austin Stacks and Kerins O Rahillys before losing to South-Kerry in the semi-final. We failed to qualify for the play-off stages of the Co. League and lost the Mid-Kerry final to Milltown.
Hurling
Congratulations to our hurlers who won the South-Kerry Junior Hurling Championship. Special thanks to Josh Whelan and Denis McDonnell for their work in running this area of the club.
Ladies
Congratulations to our ladies who had a very successful year. John O Connor will give a report later.
Congratulations to our players who represented the County this year, John Sheehan, Liam Hassett and Mike Frank Russell at senior level, Shane Clifford and Jerry Coffey at U-21 level.
Best wishes to Jerome Conway on his recent retirement as Vice-Chairman of the Co. Board.
Thanks
Thanks to all my fellow officers for their help throughout the year. Thanks to Mary Clifford who continues to run Scór for the club, Eoin Ferris who updates our website, www.launerangers.com and Dr. Vincent Evans for his help with the senior team.
Thanks to all our trainers and selectors who work with all our teams throughout the year. Thanks to our referees, Peter Lyons and Pat Pigott, for representing the club. To our outgoing Development Officer, Jerry Coffey, whose vision and foresight has seen our facilities move forward to a stage where we can rival Killarney and Tralee as a suitable Championship venue. A special thanks to our Chairman, John Clifford, for his leadership over the past 8 years. The excellent facilities we have today are a testimony to his hard work and commitment to the club. We know the last 3 months have been tough on John, Eileen and their family, following Noel’s tragic death and we can only hope that they can take strength from Noel’s achievements during his short life. John has served the club as a player, selector, Co. Board Delegate and Chairman. He has been a marvellous Ambassador for the club during his term as Chairman and we thank John sincerely for his commitment to the club. We look forward to John’s continued involvement in the club.
I wish the incoming Committee, selectors, players and members a successful and enjoyable year.
Is mise
Seán Ó Grifín.”