Senior Men Development team travelled to Valentia on Easter Sunday – Valentia on the same points as Laune Rangers – both teams having only won one game thus far in the competition.
Sean O’Shea (Dromid Pearses) was the man in the middle for the day and Valentia got off to an early start with two points from play. Laune Rangers won a Valentia kickout and worked ball into the forwards where Adam Owens opened Laune Rangers scoring for the afternoon. Valentia added another point from play. Laune Rangers then responded with two – Colm O’Shea and Adam Owens. Valentia added two – 1 from play and a free. Daragh O’Connor made a bursting run and kicked the ball over the bar. Valentia kicked another point before Adam Owens found himself in front of Valentia goals found the back of the net – working off a great pass from Cathal Moroney. Valentia added a point to level the game. Daragh O’Connor found himself in front of Valentia goals but Valentia goalie Mark Lynch saved the shot. Valentia then added two points – 1 from play and 1 free and Adam Owens kicked another. Valentia Michéal Lynch added a final point for Valentia before half time whistle.
Valentia 0-10 (10), Laune Rangers 1-5 (8)
With only two points separating the sides at half time, Laune Rangers had to start stronger – Adam Owens opened the half scoring, but Valentia added two – Brian O’Connor and Kevin Connor. Valentia added two points – Adam Quigley getting the first of the two. Andrew Owens kicked a point for the visitors but cancelled by a free from Ben Egan. Andrew Owens added another, but Ben Egan added two points from play. Colm O’Shea added a point for the Laune side. Valentia working hard to stem the Laune Rangers attack saw them work the ball out and add their final point of the day. Laune Rangers added 2 scores before the final whistle – Jack Healy kicked a great 2 pointer to finalise the day. It was great to see Conor Murphy don the Laune Rangers jersey again this weekend after spending the better part of 18 months.
Full-time: Valentia 0-18(18) Laune Rangers 1-11 (14).
Panel: Conor Buckley, Devon Hogan, Joe O’Neill, Sean O’Donnell, Cillian Foley, Daragh O’Connor (0-1), Jack Healy (0-2 TP), Calum Russell, Tom Garry, Eoghan Joy, Rian O’Sullivan, Cathal Moroney, Adam Owens (1-4), Colm O’Shea (0-2), Andrew Owens (0-2), Morgan O’Sullivan, Conor Murphy, Cillian Buckley, Eoin Lynch.