Laune Rangers are Lee Strand Féile Peil nan Óg Chiarraí Champions for 2023 following a Final win that went right down to the wire on Saturday afternoon.

Laune Rangers were comfortably defeated by Keel/Listry in the first game of the competition on Friday evening in Listry, before accounting for Austin Stacks to finish second in their group and thus qualify for the Semi Finals of the competition in Austin Stack Park the following day.

As Group A runners up, Laune Rangers faced Group B winners Firies in the Semi Finals.

Laune Rangers led their Semi Final from start to finish, leading by 0-5 to 0-3 at half time.  While Firies responded in the second half to come back to within a point, a crucial Odhran Foley goal gave Rangers a cushion and they pushed on to win by six in the end.  Full Time Score:- Laune Rangers 1-9, Firies 0-6.

The earlier Semi Final saw Keel/Listry get the better of John Mitchels to qualify for the decider, and the Laune Rangers win set up a repeat of the group game less than 24 hours earlier.

Having won comprehensively in their home ground Allman Park, Listry on Friday evening, Keel/Listry may have been fancied to repeat the result in the Final.  Laune Rangers needed a quick start, and they got one in a game they never trailed in.  Tomás Joy won the throw in and, after a ‘one-two’ with Colm Evans, created some space for himself before smashing the ball to the top corner of the net for a super goal.

Keel/Listry replied with a brace of points, but Tomás Joy, Colm Evans & Jamie Flynn (2) pointed in reply for Rangers to take a five point lead into the break.

Keel/Listry were quick off the blocks in the second half as they battled their way back into the game.  Two points reduced their deficit to three before a Daniel Kelly foul to stop a goal chance saw the defender black carded – the resulting free being slotted to leave two between the sides.

Tomás Joy pointed a free at the other end, but Keel/Listry made full use of their extra player and scored three consecutive points to level the game.

The game’s decisive moment would fall to Laune Rangers captain Tomás Joy, as Keel/Listry fouled 40 metres from goal, bringing Joy to the ground – an act that saw a black card issued to the defender.  With the last kick of the game, Joy split the posts with a super effort to claim the win and the title of County Féile Division 1 Champions for Laune Rangers.  Full Time Score:- Laune Rangers 1-6, Keel/Listry 0-8.

It was a fantastic team effort that claimed the win for Laune Rangers, with stand out performers from back to front.

Laune Rangers will progress to the National Féile Finals in the Connacht Centre of Excellence, Bekan Co Mayo on July 1^st.

Laune Rangers Squad:- Ciarán Birmingham, Jack Buckley, Luke Carey, Pat Costello, Noah Eaton, Colm Evans, Jamie Flynn, Charlie Foley, Odhran Foley, Mikey Hynes, Tomás Joy (capt), Daniel Kelly, Rhys Mangan, Luke McGillicuddy, Fionn McGillycuddy, Cian McGrath, Bryan McKenna, Conor Murphy, Liam O’Connell, Fionán O’Connor, Liam O’Shea, Hugh O’Sullivan, Daragh O’Sullivan, Donnacha Prendiville, Adam Radny, Callum Robertson, Conor Sheehan, Cormac Sweeney, Henry Whittleton.