Laune Rangers B 1-16, Austin Stacks B 2-15
It took 80 minutes to separate the sides on Friday evening in Cloon, but it was Austin Stacks that progressed to the Molyneaux Shield Final after a fantastic battle against Laune Rangers.
Austin Stacks took the lead with a 5th minute point but Laune Rangers replied with points from Daly brothers Patrick & Oisín followed by another by Ciarán O’Sullivan. Austin Stacks grew into the game and pointed twice to see the sides level at 0-3 a piece with fifteen minutes played.
Austin Stacks dominated the middle part of the first half, and scored another four successive points before Pa Daly slotted one at the other end to stem the tide. Points were exchanged between the sides (Cian O’Shea free for Rangers) to see the visitors leading by three at the break.
Half Time Score:- Laune Rangers B 0-5, Austin Stacks B 0-8.
A pointed free by Cian O’Shea was quickly cancelled out by a point for Stacks, but Laune Rangers began to fight back into the game with a brace from Patrick Daly. Another Austin Stacks point left the away side leading by 0-10 to 0-8 with fifteen minutes to play.
A Patrick Daly pointed free – his fifth score of the game – was cancelled out by a point for Stacks but Laune Rangers were on the ascendancy. Ciarán O’Sullivan pointed to leave the minimum between the sides before Daragh O’Connor came agonisingly close to the winning goal, only his shot was saved and forced over the crossbar for an equallising point. Laune Rangers had a couple of late chances to win the game, but they were closed down and extra time beckoned.
End of Normal Time:- Laune Rangers B 0-11, Austin Stacks B 0-11.
Austin Stacks took control of the tie in the early stages of extra time, scoring three points in succession although Aona O’Shea saw a great goal chance saved excellently to deny a levelling goal. The resulting 45’ was taken short and Marc Clifford knocked the ball over for a point. Austin Stacks eventually broke through to score the first goal of the game before the short whistle in extra time, as a Marc Clifford free left Laune Rangers trailing by four.
Aona O’Shea & Mike Frank Russell (two, one free) left Rangers one behind, but Austin Stacks replied with a point before scoring what was the decisive goal with a minute to play. Laune Rangers were awarded a late penalty, which was dispatched by Mike Frank Russell with the final kick of the game.
Full Time Score:- Laune Rangers B 1-16, Austin Stacks B 2-15.
Laune Rangers:- Adam Carey, Cathal O’Callaghan, Michael O’Sullivan, Killian Spillane, James Treacy, Daragh O’Connor (0-1), Ciarán O’Sullivan (0-2), Oisín Daly (0-1), Callum Russell, Aona O’Shea (0-1), Cian O’Shea (0-2f), Cillian Foley, Marc Clifford (0-2, 1f), Patrick Daly (0-5, 1f), Jack O’Sullivan. Subs used: Gavin O’Shea, Michael F Russell (1-2, 1pen, 1f), Darragh O’Shea.