An Ghaeltacht 1-8, Laune Rangers 6-13
The County Minor Leagues got underway on Saturday afternoon, and Laune Rangers began the season with a trip to Gallarus to play An Ghaeltacht in Division 1. An outstanding first half attacking display secured two league points for the away side.
An Ghaeltacht opened the scoring with a point but it was soon cancelled out by a well taken Darragh Clifford free, before Adam O’Neill put the visitors ahead with a fine point. Laune Rangers first goal came from a super team move that was finished by Niall O’Brien and, although an Ghaeltacht would score the next point, they would rue their own inaccuracy as they missed a number of scoring chances while Laune Rangers were taking most of theirs at the other end. Goals from Darragh Clifford (2), Adam O’Neill (2) & John Horgan put Rangers in firm control while they also added points through Darragh Clifford (2, 1 mark), Patryk Radny (an excellent 45’) & Stevie Gannon (2).
Laune Rangers opened the scoring at the beginning of the second half with a well taken point by Stevie Gannon but An Ghaeltacht had somewhat of a resurgence in the third quarter. A goal from the penalty spot was followed by five unanswered points (2 frees) – all excellent scores – before Laune Rangers stopped the scoring run with a Rian Hogan point. Adam O’Neill (free) and Seánie Diggin would add points to their tallies while An Ghaeltacht also kicked a late point.
Full Time Score:- An Ghaeltacht 1-8, Laune Rangers 6-13.
The 20 minute spell in the first half between the 10th minute and half time saw Laune Rangers power to victory in this game although an Ghaeltacht left a number of scores behind them in this time. Darragh Clifford was withdrawn at the interval, but had filled his boots by that stage with a personal tally of 2-4 while his ‘assist’ stat was similar. Stevie Gannon also excelled at centre forward scoring 0-3 while Niall O’Brien was the link man between defence and attack time and again. Shane Clifford was solid at the back while he was on the field with Seán O’Donnell and Matty Spillane also excelling both with Clifford and after he was withdrawn.
Laune Rangers:- Conor Buckley, Matthew Spillane, Shane Clifford, Seán O’Donnell, Gavin Mangan, Charlie O’Sullivan, Niall T O’Brien (1-0), Eoin O’Connell, Patryk Radny (capt, 0-1 45’), James Jones, Stephen Gannon (0-3, 1f), John Horgan (1-0), Seán Diggin (0-1), Darragh Clifford (2-4, 1f, 1mk), Adam O’Neill (2-3, 1f). Subs:- Ryan Carey, Dylan Flynn, Patrick O’Donnell, Cathal Moroney, Rian Hogan (0-1), Andrew Owens; Oran O’Sullivan, Denis McGeever, Ned O’Grady, Callum Russell.