Keel 4-16, Laune Rangers 1-12
The final round of fixtures in the County Developmental League Divison 1 took place on Friday evening, as Laune Rangers development team – the ‘C’ Team – travelled to Keel to face their B team, and a strong home team defeated Laune Rangers on the day.
Already assured of progression from the group, Laune Rangers were short-handed on the day – bereft of at least a dozen players in the Under 19 age grade. As a result, Laune Rangers had an experienced full forward line made up of Colm O’Shea, Eamonn Carey & Morgan O’Sullivan ahead of an otherwise Under 19 outfit.
Eamonn Carey (2, 1 free) and Colm O’Shea points had Laune Rangers leading in the early minutes but a sixth minute goal in between a brace of points had the home side ahead. Colm O’Shea pointed three well taken scores while a pointed free for Keel saw scores level at 1-3 to 0-6 after fifteen minutes.
A second goal for Keel was followed by a point, but Rangers managed to halve the deficit before the break as Colm O’Shea & Tom Whittleton both pointed.
Half Time Score:- Keel 2-4, Laune Rangers 0-10.
Keel pulled away in the third quarter as the experience of a number of first team players on their side gave them renewed impetus. Six points by the home side were answered by points through Colm O’Shea, Aona O’Shea & Morgan O’Sullivan for Rangers to leave Keel leading by 2-10 to 0-13 with a quarter to play.
Four more points for Keel were followed by a 3rd goal as the game was taken out of reach for Rangers, although the visitors scored a goal of their own as Tom Whittleton hit the net. Keel hit for another goal and two points before the end of the game, but Laune Rangers scored a final point as team manager Mike Frank Russell – not long on the field – punched the ball over the crossbar.
Full Time Score:- Keel 4-16, Laune Rangers 1-12.
With the Leaving Certificate around the corner, many of the development squad were absent for Laune Rangers, but of course it provided valuable game time to others. James Byrne and Oisín Flynn made their first appearances of the season – Flynn lining out for the first time in the adult age grades – while James Lynch also made his seasonal reappearance from the bench.
Laune Rangers:- Jake Reenstierna, Ryan O’Sullivan, James Treacy, Daniel Evans, Oisín Flynn, James Byrne, Eoghan Joy, Callum Russell, Aona O’Shea (0-1), Cillian Buckley, Tom Whittleton (1-1), Cillian Foley, Eamonn Carey (0-2, 1f), Morgan O’Sullivan (0-1), Colm O’Shea (0-6, 1f). Subs:- James Lynch, Michael F Russell (0-1).
