Mid Kerry Senior Football Championship, Semi-Final
Match report by Aidan Clifford
Laune Rangers 0-9
Keel 0-12
Laune Rangers reign as Mid Kerry Senior Champions has come to an end with defeat to Keel in JP O’Sullivan Park on Saturday afternoon.
Laune Rangers took the field without David Mangan, Gearoid Hassett, Tom Whittleton & Seán Arthurs on the day, but it did afford the opportunity for a full Senior & Championship debut for Darragh Clifford who joined his twin brother Shane on the field.
Calum Moriarty opened the scoring with a pointed mark but Keel took the lead with a pair of David Couchman frees. John Tyther (free) & Keith Evans traded points before Tyther pointed another free after a great run by Shane Clifford that saw him fouled just outside the square. With fifteen minutes played, the sides were level at 0-2 a piece.
Keith Evans pointed again for Keel before some quick thinking by Jason Browne saw the goalkeeper pass to Eoin Clifford from a 45’, and the midfielder slotted a point to level matters again. Gearóid Evan’s long ball towards the square bounced over the bar without interference, while a pointed 45’ by Stephen Cahillane saw Keel take a two point lead into the break.
Half Time Score:- Laune Rangers 0-4, Keel 0-6.
Gearóid Evans & Keith Evans pointed to double the Keel lead before Laune Rangers began to claw their way back into the game. Eoghan Hassett (two frees) and Calum Moriarty pointed to leave Rangers a point in arrears at 0-8 to 0-7 with fifteen minutes to play.
Gearóid Evans struck an excellent point before David Couchman added another. Shane Daly & Liam Evans exchanged points before David Couchman gave his side a four point lead. A late point for substitute & Championship debutant Patryk Radny left Laune Rangers in need of a goal, but there would be no more time allowed and the final whistle was blown.
Full Time Score:- Laune Rangers 0-9, Keel 0-12.
Laune Rangers:- Jason Browne, Shane Clifford, Oisín Daly, Seán Cleary, Calum Moriarty (0-2, 1 mk), Patrick Carey, Ryan Diggin, Shane Daly (jt capt, 0-1), Eoin Clifford (jt capt, 0-1), John Tyther (0-2f), Eoghan Hassett (0-2f), Stephen Sealy, Dáire Cleary, Eoin O’Sullivan, Darragh Clifford. Subs: Patryk Radny (0-1) for D Clifford, Oisín Birmingham for S Cleary, John Burke for D Cleary, Marc Clifford for Tyther.
Keel:- Stephen Cahillane (0-1 45’), Eden Murphy, Garrett Prendiville (jt capt), Aaron Cahillane, Liam Evans (0-1), Seán Corcoran, Gavin Evans (jt capt), Thomas Ladden, Fionán Griffin, Gearóid Evans (0-3, 1f), David Couchman (0-4, 2f), Gary Murphy, Shane Evans, Lachlan Griffin, Keith Evans (0-3). Subs: Michael Byrne for G Prendiville, Darragh O’Dowd for F Griffin, Shane Prendiville for G Murphy, Paul Costello for L Griffin.
