Laune Rangers 0-11, Cromane 0-5
Laune Rangers defeated Cromane on Sunday morning to reach the O’Sullivan Cup Final, but it took a strong second half performance to pull away from their local rivals in Cloon.
The O’Sullivan Cup 2022 is designed for those not involved with Mid Kerry in County Championship, as the eligibility rules see any player involved in the Mid Kerry squad prohibited from playing in the competition. This saw 9 Laune Rangers players sit out the game, as well as Cromane’s Darren Houlihan, while both sides were also missing a handful of players with injury.
The first half was a tale of wides from both sides, as Cromane in particular will be ruing a number of missed chances including very kickable frees. It was the visitors that took an early lead as Jason O’Connor and Mikey Houlihan pointed in the first five minutes. After a number of wides, Laune Rangers registered their first score as Patrick Daly pointed in the 8th minute, but Donnchadh Walsh scored a point for Cromane to see the away side lead by 0-3 to 0-1 after 16 minutes.
Patrick Carey – lining out at centre forward in a change from his regular role at full back – broke through to punch the ball over the bar in the 17th minute for what turned out to be the final point of the half. Chances were created but neither team could manage to hit the target.
Half Time Score:- Laune Rangers 0-2, Cromane 0-3.
Laune Rangers found their rhythm in the second half, and points from Cian O’Shea (two, one free), Stephen Sealy, Patrick Carey, Gavin O’Shea and Patrick Daly (free) saw them leading by 0-8 to 0-3 with fifteen minutes to play. Jack O’Connor, Gavin O’Shea & Pa Carey added further points to take an eight point lead, but Cromane were given the chance for a way back into the game as Donnchadh Walsh was fouled in the square. However, Padraig Ahern not alone saved Jason O’Connor’s shot, but saved the second effort also as Donnchadh Walsh tapped the ball over for a point.
Danny O’Shea added a final point for Cromane but Laune Rangers had done enough to progress to the O’Sullivan Cup Final.
Full Time Score:- Laune Rangers 0-11, Cromane 0-5.
Laune Rangers:- Padraig Ahern, James Treacy, Seán Arthurs, Oisín Daly, Daragh O’Connor, Conor Murphy, Calum Moriarty, Jack O’Connor (0-1), Shane Daly, Stephen Sealy (0-1), Patrick Carey (0-3), Mark O’Connor, Cian O’Shea (0-2, 1f), Patrick Daly (0-2, 1f), Marc Clifford. Subs:- Ciarán O’Sullivan, Gavin O’Shea (0-2), Cillian Foley, Colm O’Shea, Roan Moriarty.