Listowel Emmets 4-7, Laune Rangers 0-8
by Denis Cleary
Laune Rangers Senior Ladies travelled to Frank Sheehy Park Listowel on Sunday for the first round of the Junior A championship qualifiers.
Played in warm conditions, the Listowel ladies proved the better on the day. Fielding a physically stronger outfit, the locals got off to a quick start with an early two goal burst as the Laune girls struggled to contain their direct style of play. The travelling side got more into the game as the half wore on and picked off some good scores but a penalty late in the half saw the home side lead by six at the break.
Half Time Score:- Listowel Emmets 3-2, Laune Rangers 0-5.
Rangers got off to a great start in the second half with a brace of points in the first two minutes. However, after that the second half took on the same pattern as the first with Listowel better able to capitalise on their opportunities adding four points to Rangers three. Listowel scored a goal from a penalty on the stroke of full time that proved to be the last score.
Full time Score:- Listowel Emmets 4-7, Laune Rangers 0-8.
Both teams guilty of some poor wides with goalkeepers on each side called on for some good saves to keep out certain goals. For Rangers it was a good learning exercise for a lot of young and inexperienced players as both management teams ran their benches. With more experience expected to return to the Laune Rangers setup, the panel will strengthen in the coming weeks.
Laune Rangers:- Sarah O’Connor, Laura Patton, Rachael Evans, Aoife Nash Freeman, Meadhbh O’Sullivan, Orla O’Brien, Milly Foley (capt), Kayleigh McGlashan (0-1), Sophia Doherty, Sara Leslie, Nicole Moriarty (0-5,4f), Éabha Dolan, Nessa Healy, Laura Leslie (0-2, 1f), Lucy O’Donnell. Subs: Amy Kelly, Olivia Moriarty, Aoife Cleary, Isabella Doherty, Niamh Moriarty, Niamh Doyle, Áine Nash Freeman.