Laune Rangers B 3-16, Beaufort 1-9
Laune Rangers opened their Mid Kerry Junior League campaign with an impressive win at home to Beaufort, which was played in Cloon on Tuesday evening.
The early exchanges were tightly contested, with well taken scores from both sides. Gabe Griffin opened the scoring with a point before Padraig Doona & Jack Hallissey pointed for the visitors at the other end. The lead changed hands again with a brace (1 free) from Matt Leslie before Beaufort hit the net, as Padraig Doona scored to wrestle the lead back once again. Frees were traded between Eamonn Carey and Padraig Doona before Gabe Griffin & Colm O’Shea (free) pointed to level matters at 0-6 to 1-3 at the first water break.
Laune Rangers dominated the second quarter, as Patrick Carey, Cian O’Shea & Matt Leslie all scored excellent points from play before Padraig Doona registered Beaufort’s sole score of the quarter with a pointed free. Ronan O’Shea put the ball in the net for Rangers before the break, bundling it in after Eamonn Carey’s shot was saved. Cian O’Shea added a point to leave Rangers leading by six at the short whistle.
Half Time Score:- Laune Rangers 1-10, Beaufort 1-4.
Padraig Doona pointed a free from the first attack of the second half, but Rangers soon extended their lead as captain Eamonn Carey got his fist to a ball put across the square by Ronan O’Shea who had stopped a shot trailing wide. Ronan O’Shea (free) and brothers Colm & Cian O’Shea all added points, while a pointed Matt Leslie free saw the home side leading by 2-14 to 1-5 at the second water break.
Both sides made changes for the final quarter, with Padraig Coffey coming on for Beaufort to score three points from frees, while Jack Hallissey added another from play. However, Rangers didn’t relent and added a third goal in this period as Ronan O’Shea finished excellently, while Patrick Carey and finally Daragh O’Connor pointed to close out the game.
Full Time Score:- Laune Rangers 3-16, Beaufort 1-9.
A weekend injury to goalkeeper Vinny Costello saw Tony Lyons called out of retirement to take his place between the sticks for the first time since 2017. Elsewhere, experienced players like Carey brothers Johnny & Eamonn as well as Colm O’Shea were surrounded by youth – 23 the average age of the outfield starters. Ronan O’Shea, Shane Mangan, & Matthew Leslie all excelled, while the half back line were excellent – Daragh O’Connor & Patrick Carey bringing Senior experience alongside James Treacy, who stood out on the night with an excellent showing.
Laune Rangers:- Tony Lyons, Evan Madden, Jonathan Carey, Patrick Brennan, Daragh O’Connor (0-1), Patrick Carey (0-2), James Treacy, Callum Russell, Shane Mangan, Gabriel Griffin (0-2), Patrick Daly, Matthew Leslie (0-4, 2f), Eamonn Carey (capt, 1-1, 1f), Colm O’Shea (0-2, 1f), Ronan O’Shea (2-1, 1f). Subs:- Cian O’Shea (0-3) for Daly, James Lynch for Griffin, Darragh O’Shea for Brennan, Mikey O’Donnell for E Carey.
Beaufort:- Jason Foley, Ruairi Dorrian, Rory Clifford, Jack O’Brien, Eoin O’Hagan, Cormac Joy, Padraig O’Sullivan (capt), Padraig Hallissey, Ian McGillicuddy, Jack Hallissey (0-2), Padraig Doona (1-4, 3f), Mick O’Sullivan, Jack O’Leary, Niall Carey, Brendan O’Donoghue. Subs: Tim Casey, Padraig Coffey (0-3f), Adam Flynn, Michael O’Shea
