Laune Rangers 0-17, Milltown/Castlemaine 1-9
Laune Rangers made it three wins from three in this year’s Mid Kerry Junior League on Tuesday evening, defeating Milltown/Castlemaine in JP O’Sullivan Park.
Jack O’Sullivan pointed in the early minutes to nudge Laune Rangers ahead but the visitors soon levelled, while a point by corner back Daniel Evans was also cancelled out by Milltown/Castlemaine. However, a well taken point by Darragh O’Grady after a fine catch and run gave the hosts the lead at the midway point of the first half, although O’Grady was withdrawn through injury a short time later.
Callum Russell, Cian O’Shea (free) and James Treacy pointed to put Laune Rangers four ahead but, after a pointed free at the other end, Milltown/Castlemaine were awarded a penalty to give them the chance to level matters. They were denied, however, by a great save by stand-in goalkeeper Eamonn Carey to keep his side in the lead, although two quick points by the away side meant that lead was now down to a single point.
The sides traded frees with Cian O’Shea slotting for Rangers, and Callum Russell scored another excellent point to leave the home side two ahead at the break.
Half Time Score:- Laune Rangers 0-8, Milltown/Castlemaine 0-6.
Laune Rangers doubled their lead through Colm O’Shea (free) and Oisín Birmingham points, but Milltown/Castlemaine stayed in touch with the only goal of the game early in the second half.
Colm O’Shea claimed and scored an offensive mark and, after the visitors had pointed at the other end, Cian O’Shea scored two frees to leave the hosts leading by 0-13 to 1-7 with fifteen minutes remaining.
Oisín Birmingham pointed his second to cancel out a point by the visitors before O’Shea brothers Colm & Cian each slotted a free to keep their opponents at bay. Milltown/Castlemaine pointed a free to reduce the deficit to four but further efforts at scoring a second goal would be kept out by some excellent defending. The game’s last score was scored by the man that kicked its first – Jack O’Sullivan – before the final whistle was blown.
Full Time Score:- Laune Rangers 0-17, Milltown/Castlemaine 1-9.
Laune Rangers:- Eamonn Carey, Cathal O’Callaghan, Matt Reenstierna, Daniel Evans (0-1), Oisín Birmingham (0-2), James Treacy (0-1), Ciarán O’Sullivan, Callum Russell (0-2), Tom Garry, Darragh O’Grady (0-1), Cian O’Shea (0-5, 3f), Michael O’Donnell, Cillian Buckley, Jack O’Sullivan (0-2), Colm O’Shea (0-3, 2f 1mk). Subs: Mark O’Connor for Buckley, James Byrne for O’Grady, Timmy Walsh for Garry, Darragh Evans for O’Donnell, Adam Owens for Cian O’Shea.