Laune Rangers 2-17, An Ghaeltacht 0-9
Laune Rangers picked up their opening win of the County Senior Football League Division 2 campaign on Sunday afternoon with victory over An Ghaeltacht in Killorglin.
An Ghaeltacht opened the scoring in the first minute as Cathal O’Beaglaoich split the posts, but it was soon cancelled out by Matt Leslie. After Leslie had nullified a pointed mark by Conn O’Riagáin with a pointed free of his own, Laune Rangers took the lead through Eoghan Hassett, and they would hold that lead for the rest of the game. Calum Moriarty, Eoghan Hassett and Stephen Sealy all added to the Laune Rangers lead, which was 0-6 to 0-2 with fifteen minutes played.
After Rob O’Sé and Dáire Cleary had traded points, an Ghaeltacht scored points through Oigí O’Sé (2) & Dara O’Sé (free) to reduce the difference between the sides to the minimum, Laune Rangers struck for their first goal – Dáire Cleary finding the net after a great pass by Stephen Sealy. Cathal O’Beaglaoich & Dara O’Sé (free) pointed either side of a Matt Leslie point for the hosts before Laune Rangers scored their second goal of the game just before the break. Ryan Diggin fouled in the square for a penalty and Matt Leslie made no mistake by slotting it to the net.
Half Time Score:- Laune Rangers 2-8, An Ghaeltacht 0-8.
Laune Rangers pushed on in the second half to take control of the game. Matt Leslie (2, 1 free), Patrick Daly & Gearóid Hassett added points to extend the home side’s lead to double digits – Laune Rangers leading by 2-12 to 0-8 with fifteen minutes remaining, although the visitors may have found the net but for some astute defending to twice stop a shot at goal.
John Burke was introduced by Laune Rangers, and he scored excellent points either side of a pointed free by Dara O’Sé – the visitors’ sole score of the second half. Matt Leslie, John Burke (free) and Patrick Daly all added to their tallies before the end, while An Ghaeltacht came close to scoring a goal late on, but Éanna O’Conchúir’s shot rattled the crossbar and was cleared to safety.
Full Time Score:- Laune Rangers 2-17, An Ghaeltacht 0-9.
Laune Rangers:- Padraig Ahern, Seán Arthurs, David Mangan (jt capt), Ryan Diggin, Calum Moriarty (0-1), Seán Cleary, Eoin Clifford, Shane Daly, Eoin O’Sullivan, Stephen Sealy (0-1), Eoghan Hassett (0-2), Rory O’Connor, Gearóid Hassett (0-1), Dáire Cleary (jt capt, 1-1), Matthew Leslie (1-6, pen, 2f). Subs:- Patrick Daly (0-2) for E Hassett HT, John Burke (0-3, 1f) for D Cleary 39’, Evan Madden for Clifford 49’, Shane Doona for G Hassett 52’, Mark O’Connor for R O’Connor 58’.
An Ghaeltacht:- Seán Ó’Luing (capt), Breanainn Ó’Bruic, Peter Paul Sauerland, Fearghal Ó’Cunnaig, PJ MacLáimh, Pádraig Óg Ó’Sé, Cathal Ó’Fionnachta, Rob Ó’Sé (0-1), Cathal Ó’Beaglaoích (0-2), Stephen Ó’Conchúir, Dara Ó’Sé (0-3f), Tomás Ó’Sé, Conn Ó’Riagáin (0-1mk), Pádraig Óigí Ó’Sé (0-2), Máirtín Ó’Gormáin. Subs: Cian O’Murchú for O’Fionnachta 30’, Tomás O’Sé for O’Gormáin HT, Ciarán O’Coileáin for S O’Conchúir HT, Ronan O’Beaglaoich for Sauerland 35’, Éanna O’Conchúir for O’Riagáin 44’.