Austin Stacks C 1-9, Laune Rangers C 3-7
Laune Rangers C team got the better of their Austin Stacks counterparts on Saturday evening and secured their second victory in Division 1 of the County Developmental League in Connolly Park..
Laune Rangers squad on the day were all in the Under 19 age grade, and the young team started the game brightly in wet conditions. Callum Russell pointed a free to open the scoring, but Austin Stacks replied quickly with a point to level matters. The first goal of the game came in the 7th minute, as Calum Moriarty finished a great team move to smash the ball to the net. While the visitors dominated in terms of possession, Laune Rangers were unable to convert a number of chances to scores and led by 1-1 to 0-1 with fifteen minutes played.
Cillian Foley punched the ball over for Rangers to extend the lead but it was soon cancelled out by a point from play by the home side. Tom Whittleton pointed with the score of the first half from long range, but the sides were unable to add to the lead before the break as Rangers led by four at the short whistle.
Half Time Score:- Austin Stacks C 0-2, Laune Rangers 1-3.
Austin Stacks opened the second half with a point from play, but Laune Rangers replied in great fashion. Darragh O’Grady scored an excellent goal to double the Rangers lead and it was soon tripled as O’Grady (2) and Callum Russell scored points. Austin Stacks replied with a brace of points to leave Rangers leading by 2-6 to 0-5 with fifteen minutes to play.
Aona O’Shea scored an excellent point after Stacks had pointed twice beforehand, but it was the home team that were growing into the game and it took a great save from Jake Reenstierna to deny a goal for the home side. Another point was followed by the first goal for Stacks to leave just two between the sides. However, Laune Rangers swiftly got upfield and Mikey O’Donnell put the finishing touch to a decisive third goal for the visitors. A final pointed free was added by Stacks, but Rangers were full value for the win.
Full Time Score:- Austin Stacks C 1-9, Laune Rangers C 3-7.
Aside from the scorers, there were also some great displays from the backs who all put in a great efforts, none more so than James Treacy who was outstanding at centre back.
Laune Rangers C:- Jake Reenstierna, Cathal O’Callaghan, Killian Spillane, Daniel Evans, Aona O’Shea (0-1), James Treacy, Cathal Crowley, Calum Moriarty (1-0), Callum Russell (0-2, 1f), Tom Whittleton (0-1), Darragh O’Grady (1-2), Cillian Foley (0-1), Mikey O’Donnell (1-0), Marc Clifford, Jack Healy. Subs: Eoghan Joy, Cillian Buckley, Adam Owens.