Laune Rangers 2-15, Killarney Legion 1-13
In the opening game of Group 2 Intermediate Football Championship, Laune Rangers and Killarney Legion played in Austin Stack Park on Saturday evening 9th August.
Legion got off to a flying start scoring 1-3 before Laune Rangers settled into the game. David O’Sullivan kicked a point from play Denis Sheehan scored the goal after 3.5 minutes and Legion added another two points. It was 8 minutes before Laune Rangers Darragh Clifford opened Laune Rangers tab for the evening following that Patrick Daly and Gearóid Hassett added points also. Gearóid Hassett had a shot block while attempting a point but quick reflexes of Ciarán O’Sullivan gathered the rebound and coolly slotted into Killarney Legion goal – levelling the lead. Moments later Laune Rangers were awarded a penalty and John Tyther stepped up to take it, the shot was initially saved by Brian Kelly but again with quick reflexes John Tyther stuck the ball to back of Killarney Legion net giving Laune Rangers a 3 point advantage.
Killarney Legion were then awarded a penalty and David O’Sullivan struck it and it gathered height and over the bar for a point. David O’Sullivan then added a point from a placed ball. Stephen Gannon (Laune Rangers – play) and David O’Sullivan (Killarney Legion – free) exchanged points – Laune Rangers still a point ahead. Laune Rangers went on to secure a strong lead heading to half time – points coming from Dáire Cleary, Gearóid Hassett (point & 45) and Stephen Gannon. While the forwards were doing their job of adding scores the backs were working tenaciously to thwart Killarney Legion attacks – Oisín Daly and Oisín Birmingham working up and down the field. Laune Rangers leading by 5 points at the short whistle.
Half time:
Laune Rangers 2-8 (14), Killarney Legion 1-6 (9)
Laune Rangers opened the half as strongly as they had finished the first with a point from play from boot of Stephen Gannon. Brian Kelly then stepped forward to kick a two pointer free that was awarded. Cian Gammell then added a point from play halting Laune Rangers lead. Dáire Cleary (play) and Ryan O’Grady (free) exchanged points for both sides. Danny Sheehan kicked a point from play to reduce the lead to 2 points. John Tyther (Laune Rangers) and David O’Sullivan (Killarney Legion) both added frees for their respective sides. Oisín Birmingham and Gearóid Hassett both added points from play for Laune Rangers increasing their lead to 4 points. Brian Kelly kicked a 45 but Laune Rangers finished out the half strongly with substitute Matt Leslie kicking a point and John Tyther kicked the final point of the game from a placed ball.
Laune Rangers: Jason Browne, Seán Cleary, Oisín Daly, Oisín Birmingham, Rory O’Connor, Eoin Clifford, , Shane Daly, Tom Whittleton, Darragh Clifford, Gearóid Hassett, Patrick Daly, Dáire Cleary, John Tyther, Stephen Gannon. Subs: Stephen Sealy, Eoghan Hassett, Ryan Diggin, Patrick Carey, Matt Leslie.
Killarney Legion: Brian Kelly, Cian Gammell Darragh Doherty, Conor Gammell, Eoghan O’Sullivan, Danny Sheahan, Jonathon Lyne Denis Sheahan, Darragh Fleming, Darragh Lyne, Peter McCarthy, Josh Bowler, Finbarr Murphy, David O’Sullivan, Ryan O Grady (C).
Subs: Oisin Fleming, Sam Benson, Tom Benson, Brian Walsh, Brian O’Shea.
Referee – Seamus Mulvihill.