Laune Rangers B 0-10, Ballylongford 0-06
report: Sinéad Pigott
Laune Rangers B hosted Ballylongford on St. Patrick’s Day in their County Senior Football League, Round 1 encounter. The swirling wind caused havoc throughout the game but a purple patch in the latter part of the first half ensured that the home side would take the points in this opening round game.
Ballylongford opened the scoring with a point from corner forward Ciaran O’Connor in the 3rd minute. O’Connor followed this 4 minutes later with a pointed free to put the visitors 2 points to the good with 7 minutes played. Laune Rangers got off the mark in the 13th minute with a point from Gavin O’Shea after some good link-up play between Cathal O’Callaghan, James Treacy and Gavin O’Shea. Gavin’s brother, Colm, got his name on the scoresheet in the 14th minute with his own point to level the game at 0-2 a piece.
Laune Rangers edged in front for the first time in the 18th minute with a pointed free from Gavin O’Shea before Gabriel Griffin added another for the home side 2 minutes later to double the lead. Further Laune Rangers points from Mikey O’Donnell, Gavin O’Shea and Colm O’Shea left Rangers ahead by five at the short whistle.
Half Time Score: Laune Rangers B 0-7, Ballylongford 0-2
Ballylongford started the second half the brighter, with three points in as many minutes through Ciarán O’Connor & Jeremiah Tydings to narrow the deficit to two points; 0-07 to 0-05.
Colm O’Shea pointed from a free in the 9th minute to extend Laune Rangers’ lead to 3 points once more. Ciaran O’Connor worked well with Jeremiah Tydings before O’Connor popped over another for Ballydonoghue to let the game 0-08 to 0-6 with 40 minutes played. Another pointed free from the boot of Colm O’Shea pushed Laune Rangers’ lead back out to 3 points mid-way through the half.
Both sides notched up a number of wides in the closing quarter as the swirling wind made it difficult for players to land passes and scores. The final score of the game came from a pointed free from Marc Clifford. Callum Moriarty used his strength to find James Treacy. When Mikey O’Donnell was fouled, Marc stepped up to take the resulting free to let the score 0-10 to 0-6 in the home side’s favour going in to the last 10 minutes.
Laune Rangers worked hard to keep Ballylongford at bay for the closing minutes and held on for their opening round win.
Full Time Score: Laune Rangers 0-10, Ballylongford 0-6.
Laune Rangers B: Adam Carey, Patrick Brennan, Cormac Johnston, Cathal O’Callaghan, Killian Spillane, Jonathan Carey (capt), James Treacy, Michael O’Sullivan, Calum Moriarty, Mikey O’Donnell, Gabriel Griffin, Gavin O’Shea, Eamonn Carey, Colm O’Shea, Marc Clifford. Subs: Cian O’Shea for E Carey, Jack O’Sullivan for C O’Shea, Jack Healy for O’Donnell, Adam Owens, Cillian Foley, Cillian Buckley, Eoghan Joy, Morgan O’Sullivan.