Kerry Petroleum Intermediate Club Football Championship, Round 2
Match report courtesy of Jimmy O’Sullivan Darcy
Laune Rangers 2-12
Kilcummin 2-10
Laune Rangers got their Intermediate campaign back on track after their opening round defeat to Kerins O’Rahilly’s with a good win over Kilcummin in JP O’Sullivan Park last Sunday.
The home side made a strong start, Eoghan Hassett clipping over the opening score from a free won by John Tyther and Fiachra Clifford adding another from play after a quick free by Gearóid Hassett. Eoghan Hassett made it 0-3 to 0-0 before Paul O’Shea opened Kilcumin’s account with a free won by Dara O’Callaghan. Eoghan Hassett replied in kind to leave Laune Rangers three points up after the first quarter. Kilcummin began to grow into the game, with Kevin Gorman and Gary O’Leary cutting the gap back to the minimum, but it was Laune Rangers who finished the first half stronger. Fiachra Clifford’s pass to John Tyther for a goal chance was just inches too far in front of him but an on-fire Eoghan Hassett kicked two more points (1f). Just before the break, Gearóid Hassett brilliantly intercepted a kick-out and drove in before laying off to Fiachra Clifford to billow the net from close range.
Half-time: Laune Rangers 1-6 Kilcummin 0-3
Eoin Clifford and Danny Cronin exchanged points at the start of the second half and Paul O’Shea and Eoghan Hassett traded frees. In the 42nd minute some great play by Daire Cleary saw him lay off to an in-rushing Fiachra Clifford for his and Laune Rangers’ second goal. However, a good interception by Mark O’Shea in the seconds that followed saw Kilcummin’s Philip O’Leary nab a goal of their own to make it 2-8 to 1-5. Danny Cronin added a good point for Kilcummin soon after to trim the gap to five. Eoghan Hassett replied with a point from play in the 50th minute to extend the home side’s lead back out to six points.
In the 52nd minute Paul O’Shea and Chris O’Leary combined to find a gap for James Nagle and his left foot finish to the net suddenly cut the gap back to three points, 2-9 to 2-6. Laune Rangers remained composed, though, and points from Ryan Diggin and Daire Cleary gave them breathing space. Kilcummin kept driving on, with Paul O’Shea notching two late points, one from a free, and Laune Rangers’ Patrick Daly picking up a black card, Paul O’Shea was on hand to slot over another free soon after to let just two points between the sides. Eoin O’Sullivan sent over a fisted point in the 63rd minute for Laune Rangers after some good work from John Burke. Cian Foley scored the game’s final point for Kilcummin and Laune Rangers held on for a vital victory. Laune Rangers will face Listowel Emmets next week in their final group game with a real chance of reaching the quarter-finals.
Final score: Laune Rangers 2-12 Kilcummin 2-10
Laune Rangers: Jason Browne, Oisín Daly, Shane Clifford, Seán Cleary, Calum Moriarty, Eoin Clifford (0-1), Ryan Diggin (0-1), Stepen Sealey, Tom Whittleton, Seán Arthurs, Gearóid Hassett, Fiachra Clifford (2-1), Eoghan Hassett (0-7, 4f), Eoin O’Sullivan (0-1), John Tyther. Subs Daire Cleary 0-1 (for Tom Whittleton, half-time), Oisín Birmingham (for Shane Clifford, 38), Patrick Daly (for John Tyther, 47), Patrick Carey (for Calum Moriarty, 47), John Burke (for Eoghan Hassett, 55)
