Minor Club ‘A’ Championship Final
Laune Rangers 4-13 (25) Kenmare Shamrocks 4-10
By Katrina Stack
A highly entertaining game that emphasizes everything good about GAA. Jamie Flynn who started the game opened the scoring for Laune Rangers with a point from play on 5 minute mark, and Kenmare Neal O’Shea levelled a minute later. It was 5 minutes before the next score was registered, Laune Rangers defence were working hard to keep Kenmare Shamrocks attacks at bay but Kenmare Shamrocks were awarded a penalty in one of their attacks which David Grebowiec slotted away to register the game’s first goal. But less than a minute later, Jamie Flynn levelled with a goal from play for Laune Rangers, but the sides being level was short lived as Kenmare struck for their second goal, this time from play. Laune Rangers Tomás Joy kicked a point from play with his side working extremely hard in windy conditions and Adam O’Neill kicked a two-pointer from play reducing Kenmare Shamrocks lead to a single point. A Kenmare attack saw a potential goal shot hit the cross bar and was cleared by Laune Rangers defence. Kenmare Shamrocks David Grebowiec (free) and Tomás Joy (play) exchanged points. Laune Rangers slowly finding their momentum and settling into the game, were putting pressure on Kenmare Shamrocks with 5 minutes remaining in first half, when Aaron Doyle bursts forward from centre back working with Colm Evans and Aaron receiving the pass again to slot the ball into back of Kenmare Shamrocks net giving his side a two point lead. Kenmare Shamrocks attempted another attack but this was thwarted by Ciarán Birmingham and Laune Rangers continued to attack with points coming from Adam O’Neill (1 point play) and John Horgan (1 point play). Oran O’Sullivan, on 29th minute added the third goal of day for Laune Rangers. Adam O’Neill added a point from play, final score of first half to give Laune Rangers an 8 point lead at half time.
Half time: Laune Rangers 3-8, Kenmare Shamrock 2-3
Second Half started and Laune Rangers were against the wind, Kenmare Shamrocks Aidan O’Sullivan Casey scored 1-1 from play and Michael Tangney (point) in the opening 4 minutes reducing Laune Rangers lead to 3 points. They had laid down a marker for the second half – Kenmare Shamrocks were not giving up. Both teams added points, Adam O’Neill (free) and Tomás Joy (play)) and Kenmare Shamrocks a point from play. Kenmare’s corner forward Neal O’Shea kicked their 4th goal of the game (7th in total) which reduced Laune Rangers lead to a single point. Laune Rangers were to play the last quarter with 14 players as a Laune Rangers player had received a second yellow card. Oran O’Sullivan (play) and David Grebowiec (free) exchanged points – 10 minutes remaining in the second half. In an excellent movement of play, several Laune Rangers players involved – Colm Evans kicked a fourth goal for his side. Both teams added two points each in the closing moments, Neal O’Shea with two points from play and Adam O’Neill added another to his tally for the day, but the final point of the day came from the boot of Oran O’Sullivan and had it been a couple of inches lower the green flag would have been raised. On the final minute, Kenmare Shamrocks had shot on goal that sailed agonisingly wide. On the kickout, referee Peter Curtin blew the final whistle and Laune Rangers are Keane’s SuperValu Minor ‘A’ Club Champions for 2025. Credit to both teams as they showed great skill and determination on the day, a fantastic game witnessed by anyone who attended.
There were jubilant scenes when Adam O’Neill was presented with player of the match and James Jones as captain accepted the trophy on behalf of his teammates.
Team: Adam Radny, Daniel Kelly, Ciarán Birmingham, Dylan Flynn, James Jones ©, Aaron Doyle (1-0), Charlie O’Sullivan, Alex Garry, Liam O’Connell, Colm Evans (1-0), Adam O’Neill (0-6, (1TP, 0-1f)), Oran O’Sullivan (1-2), Jamie Flynn (1-1), John Horgan (0-1), Tomás Joy (0-3). Subs used: Conor Murphy, Patrick O’Donnell, Rian Hogan.
Panel: Adam Radny, Daniel Kelly, Ciarán Birmingham, Dylan Flynn, James Jones ©, Aaron Doyle (1-0), Charlie O’Sullivan, Alex Garry, Liam O’Connell, Colm Evans (1-0), Adam O’Neill(0-6, (1TP, 0-1f)), Oran O’Sullivan (1-2), Jamie Flynn(1-1), John Horgan (0-1), Tomás Joy (0-3), Callum Russell, Conor Sheehan, Bryan McKenna, Jamie Flynn, Rian Hogan, Colm O’Shea, Mikey Hynes, Conor Murphy, Hugh O’Sullivan, Pat Costello, Charlie Foley, Brian Foley, Reece Mangan, Odhrán Foley.
Referee: Peter Curtin