Credit Union County Senior Football League, Division 1
Report by Aidan Clifford
Dr Crokes 0-16
Laune Rangers 0-11
Laune Rangers tasted defeat for the first time in County SFL Division 1 on Sunday afternoon, as Dr Crokes maintained their own 100% to claim sole occupancy at the top of the table.
Gavin O’Shea opened the scoring for Laune Rangers after Eoin Clifford found Eoin O’Sullivan straight from the throw in. Micheál Burns slotted two frees before Fiachra Clifford pointed a free to level matters again. However, Dr Crokes went on a scoring run that they would use to keep Rangers at bay for the rest of the game, with five unanswered points through Micheál Burns (3, 2f), Billy Courtney & Alex Hennigan (free).
Laune Rangers responded and Gearóid Hassett had to settle for a point when his shot went just over the crossbar, & John Tyther added a free a minute later. A pointed mark by Micheál Burns was followed by Dr Crokes first goal chance, but Jason Browne was equal to Cian McMahon’s shot. Another Burns free increased Dr Crokes lead, but Rangers closed out the half well and added scores from John Tyther (free) & a punched effort by Eoin O’Sullivan.
Half Time Score:- Dr Crokes 0-9, Laune Rangers 0-6.
Dr Crokes restored their cushion in the opening stages of the second half with points from Cian McMahon & Micheál Burns (2, one free), but Laune Rangers kept plugging away. Gearóid Hassett slotted a free before Dáire Cleary added one from play – a goal chance that again went just over the lat.
Shane Clifford stopped a Gavin O’Shea shot to deny the home side, leaving Dr Crokes ahead by 0-12 to 0-8 with a quarter to play.
Eoin Clifford was rewarded for his efforts with a super point for Rangers, but Dr Crokes didn’t let their guard down and continued to tag on scores at the other end. Micheál Burns (free), Billy Courtney & Cian McMahon all added to their own tallies before Patrick Daly replied with a free for Laune Rangers.
Burns added an eighth & final free to bring his tally to 0-11, but the last score fell to Laune Rangers substitute Stephen Gannon – Laune Rangers 9th scorer of the day.
Full Time Score:- Dr Crokes 0-16, Laune Rangers 0-11.
Dr Crokes:- Shane Murphy, David Naughton (capt), Neil O’Shea, Mark Fitzgerald, John Payne, Evan Looney, Mark Cooper, Mark O’Shea, Brian Looney, Daithí Casey, Micheál Burns (0-11, 8f, 1mk) Billy Courtney (0-2), Harry Potts, Cian McMahon (0-2), Alex Hennigan (0-1f). Subs: Paul Clarke for Hennigan, Gavin O’Shea for Casey, Jack O’Sullivan for Courtney, Seán Fitzgerald for E Looney.
Laune Rangers:- Jason Browne, Shane Clifford, Seán Arthurs, Oisín Daly, Calum Moriarty, Patrick Carey, Tom Whittleton, Eoin Clifford (0-1), Shane Daly (jt capt), Fiachra Clifford (jt capt, 0-1f), John Tyther (0-2f), Gavin O’Shea (0-1), Dáire Cleary (0-1), Eoin O’Sullivan (0-1), Gearóid Hassett (0-2, 1f). Subs: Stephen Sealy for O’Shea, Stephen Gannon (0-1) for Tyther, Patrick Daly (0-1f) for Hassett, John Burke for D Cleary, Seán Cleary for S Daly.
