Laune Rangers 4-20 (32) Milltown/Castlemaine 2-13 (19)
Laune Rangers welcomed Milltown/Castlemaine to JP O’Sullivan Park on a beautiful spring afternoon to play Mid Kerry League Semi Final in what was a high scoring game and new rules paying dividends to an exciting game.
Laune Rangers Stephen Gannon kicked two points from play, Eoin Clifford adding before Éanna O’Connor opened the scoring for Milltown/Castlemaine. Niall T O’Brien had a great block on the goal line and Padraig Ahern cleared the ball. Milltown on the attack were awarded a penalty and Éanna O’Connor stepped up and the ball hit the post, and Milltown/Castlemaine kicked a point. Laune Rangers converted two frees – Cian O’Shea and John Tyther respectively before Milltown/Castlemaine’s Dara Hogan struck for goal. Éanna O’Connor continued to make his presence known with a two pointer and penalty. Milltown/Castlemaine Dara Hogan then kicked a two pointer before Dáire Cleary added a goal from play for the home side. Éanna O’Connor then kicked his second two pointer of the afternoon.
Half time Laune Rangers 1-6 (9), Milltown/Castlemaine 2-7 (13)
Laune Rangers started the second half brightly, John Tyther converting a free when Stephen Gannon was awarded a free by referee Gerry Kelliher, then John fisted a point over the bar. Milltown/Castlemaine then added two points, Darragh Clifford replied with a point from play. Milltown/Castlemaine then kicked another point before a fantastic passage of play from Laune Rangers which saw Gearóid Hassett find the back of the net – a point separating the teams. The visitors talisman forward Éanna O’Connor added another point but Laune Rangers had found their stride – mid fielder Shane Daly kicked a two pointer and the sides were level. Stephen Gannon and Eoin Clifford then added points from play, Milltown/Castlemaine responded with Pa Wrenn go a point from play. The Laune siders went up an extra gear again and their tenacity showed through – Ciarán O’Sullivan received a pass from Dáire Cleary and added a goal to Laune Rangers tally – 4 points up at this point. Laune Rangers players added further scores – Stephen Gannon (point from play), John Tyther kicked a two-pointer & goal, Patrick Daly (point), John Tyther (free) and Dáire Cleary kicked 2 additional points from play. Milltown/Castlemaine kicked a final point before referee blew the full-time whistle.
Full-Time: Laune Rangers 4-20 (32) Milltown/Castlemaine 2-13 (19)
Team: Padraig Ahern, James Treacy, Killian Spillane, Seán Cleary, Niall T O’Brien, Ciarán O’Sullivan (1-0), Eoin Clifford (0-2), Shane Daly (0-2 TP), Stephen Sealy, John Tyther (1-7, 0-2 TP, 0-3 f), Gearóid Hassett 1-0, Gavin O’Shea, Cian O’Shea (0-1f), Dáire Cleary (1-2), Stephen Gannon (0-4), Darragh Clifford (0-1), Marc Clifford, Gavan Mangan, Sean Arthurs, Callum Russell, Tom Garry, Patrick Daly (0-1), Calum Moriarty, and Oisín Daly,
Substitute Introduced: Marc Clifford, Darragh Clifford, Seán Arthurs, Patrick Daly and Oisín Daly.