Templenoe 3-11, Laune Rangers 1-13
The County Senior Football Leagues get underway over the long weekend, and Laune Rangers travelled to Templenoe for their Division Two opener early on St Patrick’s Day. However, a couple of late goals gave victory to the home side.
Laune Rangers had opened the scoring with a Fiachra Clifford point in the first minute, but Templenoe would go on to dominate the scoreboard in the opening quarter. A goal tapped in at close range by Aidan Crowley were followed by points by Crowleys Gavin, Daniel and Aidan (two, one free) to leave the home side ahead by 1-4 to 0-1 with fifteen minutes played.
Laune Rangers had kicked a few wides in that first quarter, but Matt Leslie stopped the scoreless run with a pointed free after a great run by captain David Mangan. Templenoe responded with Daniel Crowley & Gavin Crowley adding to their tallies to put their side seven ahead. Laune Rangers introduced Eoghan Hassett & John Burke and they had an immediate impact. Burke kicked a point either side of a successful Fiachra Clifford free to reduce the deficit to four at the break.
Half Time Score:- Templenoe 3-11, Laune Rangers 1-13.
Laune Rangers began the second half brightly and created a goal chance immediately with some great team play, but Fiachra Clifford’s shot was saved excellently by Mark Looney. Templenoe went downfield to add another point from defender John Rice, but Laune Rangers were starting to build some momentum – Eoghan Hassett and Dáire Cleary adding points before Eoghan Hassett scored a fantastic goal with a long range shot into the top corner of the net and the sides were level. Aidan Crowley (free) and Eoghan Hassett traded points, while a Seán Sheehan point was followed by another by Aidan Crowley to put Templenoe ahead by two again with a quarter to play.
The two young Laune Rangers forwards continued to impress – Eoghan Hassett with another point before John Burke scored a brace to give the visitors their first lead of the game. Daniel Crowley levelled matters before David Mangan put Rangers ahead once more, but it was not to be for Rangers.
Two injury time goals won the game for the home side. The first came from a high ball dropping the square as Seán Sheehan got his fist to it ahead of Jason Browne to knock it into the net and, as Laune Rangers were upfield trying to respond, the ball broke to Stephen O’Sullivan who rounded Browne and shot past the unfortunate Seán Arthurs who came oh-so close to stopping the ball on the line. Shane Doona added a pointed free late to but there wouldn’t be enough time for another comeback.
Full Time Score:- Templenoe 3-11, Laune Rangers 1-13.
Templenoe:- Mark Looney, Michael Hallissey, Kieran O’Neill, John Rice (0-1), Kieran McCarthy, Joseph Sheehan, Ciarán Crowley, Seán Sheehan (1-1), Gavin Crowley (0-2), Martin Reilly, Colin Crowley, John Moriarty, Stephen O’Sullivan (1-0), Aidan Crowley (1-4, 2f), Daniel Crowley (0-3). Sub: Hugh Granville.
Laune Rangers:- Jason Browne, Seán Arthurs, Seán Cleary, Ryan Diggin, Rory O’Connor, David Mangan (capt, 0-1), Patrick Carey, Shane Daly, Jack O’Connor, Stephen Sealy, Fiachra Clifford (0-2, 1f), Calum Moriarty, Dáire Cleary (0-1), Matthew Leslie (0-1f), Gearóid Hassett. Subs: Eoghan Hassett (1-3) for Leslie, John Burke (0-4) for S Daly, Shane Doona (0-1f) for Clifford, Patrick Daly for J O’Connor.