Laune Rangers 2-15, Beaufort 0-19
The new Mid Kerry C League got underway this week, and Laune Rangers played their first game on Monday evening with a home tie against Beaufort in Cloon. This competition includes An Ghaeltacht and Firies to make up eight teams in two groups of four.
With the first 25 submitted to be ineligible for Laune Rangers, the home side still had a youthful look to it, although a few absentees meant that Rangers had just manager Paudie O’Shea and B goalkeeper Tony Lyons to call on from the bench.
An injury in the first minute to Johnny Carey meant that Paudie O’Shea was introduced from the outset, in a move that saw team captain Morgan O’Sullivan moved to full back. Paudie Coffey and Mick O’Sullivan pointed Beaufort ahead, but Colm & Gavin O’Shea knocked over points to level the game. Padraig O’Sullivan gave the visitors the lead again, but when the third O’Shea brother Cian hit the net for Rangers, they would not fall behind for the remainder of the game. Colm O’Shea (2 frees) & Kieran Doona added points to see Rangers leading by 1-5 to 0-3 at the water break.
Brendan O’Donoghue (2) and Timmy Casey points brought Beaufort back into the game before Kieran Doona halted the comeback with a point at the other end. Paudie Coffey (2, 1 free) brought Beaufort back to within a point but late scores by Marc Clifford and Colm O’Shea (free) saw Rangers lead by two goals at the break.
Half Time Score:- Laune Rangers 2-8, Beaufort 0-8.
Paudie O’Shea replaced himself with Tony Lyons for an outfield debut 25 years after his first appearance in the grade, as this entertaining encounter continued to go from end to end with some great passages of play by both sides. A Cian O’Shea brace was sandwiched between two from Paudie Coffey for Beaufort before Cian O’Shea scored his second goal to double the Rangers advantage. Beaufort kept their heads up though, and began to take some scores, although some bad missed frees would prove costly in the end. Paudie Coffey and James Byrne traded points & Timmy Casey and Marc Clifford did likewise to leave Rangers leading by 2-12 to 0-12 at the second water break.
Beaufort had the luxury of a few more subs to bring on and provide fresh legs, and Paudie Coffey pointed two frees to close the gap as a Cian O’Shea point was cancelled out by one by Timmy Casey for Beaufort. Tony Lyons was put through on goal, as he took the smart decision at a tight angle with the onrushing Jason Foley coming to him to punch the ball over the bar.
Paudie Coffey (2) and Timmy Casey pointed to close the gap to two points, but Kieran Doona pointed a crucial score at the other end. Paudie Coffey scored his 11th point of the game to leave two between the sides, but Rangers held on for a great start to this new competition.
While the sprinkling of experienced players throughout the team brought years of experience to the side, it was the young players that stood out for Rangers again. Six Under 18s started, and all put in mature performances with Jake Reenstierna making his debut at the adult grade and Daniel Evans making his first start. Meanwhile five of the six starting forwards scored from play (the other moving to full back after one minute), as Cian O’Shea finished with 2-3 after some excellent scores.
Full Time Score:- Laune Rangers 2-15, Beaufort 0-19.
Laune Rangers:- Jake Reenstierna, Patrick Brennan, Jonathan Carey, Darragh O’Shea, Daniel Evans, James Byrne (0-1), Eamonn Carey, Callum Russell, Shane Mangan, Cian O’Shea (2-3), Marc Clifford (0-2), Gavin O’Shea (0-1), Kieran Doona (0-3), Colm O’Shea (0-4, 3f), Morgan O’Sullivan (capt). Subs: Paudie O’Shea for J Carey, Tony Lyons (0-1) for P O’Shea.