Glenflesk 3-14, Laune Rangers 2-18
A fantastic second half comeback saw Laune Rangers net a late goal to defeat Glenflesk in a shootout in Glenflesk on Sunday afternoon.
Ian Roche put Glenflesk ahead with a point after two minutes but Laune Rangers, playing against a stiff breeze, settled to score three points in quick succession through Matt Leslie (free), Dáire Cleary & Gearóid Hassett. Laune Rangers struck for the first goal of the game as Dáire Cleary finished an excellet run from outside the 21 metre line to find the top corner of the net.
Glenflesk responded well, and used the breeze to their advantage. Two excellent points (one free) by Tommy Bowler were followed by a goal by the hosts through Seán Doherty to level matters, before another point by Patrick D’Arcy put the home side ahead by 1-4 to 1-3 with fifteen minutes played.
Jack O’Connor and Patrick D’Arcy traded points before Glenflesk scored their second goal of the game – Tommy Bowler netting after a great run from midfield. A point by Seán Doherty was cancelled out by Calum Moriarty but Tommy Bowler continued his fantastic first half by adding a brace of long range points. Laune Rangers managed to add two points late in the first half – Matt Leslie (free) and Gearóid Hassett with the scores to leave four between the sides at the break.
Half Time Score:- Glenflesk 2-8, Laune Rangers 1-7.
Laune Rangers would have wanted a quick start to the second half, but it was Glenflesk who flew out of the traps scoring their third goal through Patrick D’Arcy in the opening minute after the restart.
Gearóid Hassett replied with a point by Glenflesk’s Jeff O’Donoghue pointed a free shortly after. Patrick D’Arcy had a shot saved excellently by Jason Browne but the rebound fell to Ian Roche who took a point from a tight angle, giving Glenflesk an eight point lead in the 36th minute.
Laune Rangers managed to put some phases of play together and a Matt Leslie free was the first of four consecutive scores that halved the deficit. Jack O’Connor, Gearóid Hassett & John Burke with the other points in that run – the latter score coming from long range with substitute Burke’s first touch.
Ian Roche scored another point for Glenflesk, but Laune Rangers were gaining the ascendancy and points by Matt Leslie and John Burke (free) left the visitors behind by 3-11 to 1-14 with fifteen minutes to play.
Tommy Bowler pointed a free but it was quickly cancelled out by a well taken score by Eoghan Hassett. Seán Doherty gave Glenflesk a four point lead with an excellent point but Matt Leslie Gearóid Hassett and Eoghan Hassett (free) left Laune Rangers trailing by the minimum.
Laune Rangers were now dominating possession and scored the crucial goal in the 58th minute – Ryan Diggin tapping in the ball from close range. Jeff O’Donoghue pointed a free to leave his side looking for a levelling point, but the Laune Rangers defence held out to the final whistle.
Full Time Score:- Glenflesk 3-14, Laune Rangers 2-18.
Glenflesk:- Eoin Moynihan, David O’Connor, Denis O’Connor, Peter Cronin, Michael Mullane, Daniel O’Brien, Liam Warren, Jeff O’Donoghue (0-2f), Tommy Bowler (1-5, 2f), Emmet Finnan (capt), Danny Lucey, Sean Doherty (1-2), Ian Roche (0-3), Patrick D’Arcy (1-2), Kevin Bowler. Subs: Dara Fleming for Lucey, Gavin Kelly for K Bowler.
Laune Rangers:- Padraig Ahern, Seán Arthurs, David Mangan (jt capt), Seán Cleary, Eoin Clifford, Patrick Carey, Rory O’Connor, Stephen Sealy, Shane Daly, Jack O’Connor (0-2), John Tyther, Calum Moriarty (0-1), Dáire Cleary (jt capt, 1-1), Gearóid Hassett (0-5), Matthew Leslie (0-5, 3f). Subs: Jason Browne for Ahern, Ryan Diggin (1-0) for R O’Connor, John Burke (0-2, 1f) for J O’Connor, Eoghan Hassett (0-2, 1f) for Carey, Patrick Carey for Clifford.
