Ballymacelligott 4-17, Laune Rangers 4-19
The scoreline tells the story of the game. It took extra time to separate the two sides as Laune Rangers got the better of Ballymacelligott in an enthralling encounter in the Central Region Division 1 Semi Final on Bank Holiday Monday evening – a game played in Páirc na Féile in Brosna, which was in fantastic condition.
Laune Rangers took a few minutes to settle into their surroundings, but once they did they scored six points in succession having conceding the first of the game – Tomás Joy, John Horgan, Aaron Doyle, Oran O’Sullivan, Jamie Flynn & Dylan Flynn with the scores.
Ballymac grew into the game though and pointed three times (one free) to trail by 0-6 to 0-4 with 17 minutes played.
A Tomás Joy free was cancelled out by a Ballymac point at the other end, but Laune Rangers finished the half strongly. Jamie Flynn pointed before Tomás Joy intercepted the resulting kickout and passed to Jamie Flynn, who in turn fed Patrick O’Donnell to slot the ball to the net.
A Ballymac pointed free saw Rangers take a five point lead into the break.
Half Time Score:- Ballymacelligott 0-6, Laune Rangers 1-8.
Ballymac opened the second half scoring with a point in the first play after the restart, but Laune Rangers hit another purple patch. A John Horgan point was followed by a Jamie Flynn goal before Patrick O’Donnell added a point, and Tomás Joy came close to a third goal but his effort was saved by the goalkeeper.
Ballymac, now nine points behind, didn’t panic and hit back with a purple patch of their own. A two pointer from play was followed by three singles to more than halve the deficit, but an excellent Colm Evans point stemmed the tide somewhat. A Ballymac free was nullified by Jamie Flynn point to leave Laune Rangers ahead by 2-12 to 0-13 with fifteen minutes remaining.
Ballymac scored their first goal in the 46th minute, but a Colm Evans point was followed by a super goal by Oran O’Sullivan for Rangers. Ballymac were far from done though. They replied with their second goal before adding a third a minute later to level matters at 3-13 a piece.
John Horgan (free) & Jamie Flynn pointed Rangers two ahead but two frees for Ballymac – the latter with the last kick of regulation – restored the stalemate and extra time beckoned.
Score at end of Normal Time:- Ballymacelligott 3-15, Laune Rangers 3-15.
Substitute Rian Hogan pointed for Rangers but it was quickly nullified by Ballymac, before the 7th goal of the game fell Laune Rangers way – Jamie Flynn with another great finish. Oran O’Sullivan & Colm Evans added points before the short whistle as the teams quickly swapped sides in fading light – the lights turned on in Páirc na Féile for the remainder of the game.
Half Time in Extra Time:- Ballymacelligott 3-16, Laune Rangers 4-18.
A pointed free for Ballymac was cancelled out by a John Horgan effort before Ballymac’s 4th goal was scored to make for a nervous finish. However, Laune Rangers held out the late siege & welcomed the final whistle. Laune Rangers will face Na Fianna (Templenoe/Tousist/Sneem/Derrynane) in the Central Region Minor Division 1 Final.
Full Time Score AET:- Ballymacelligott 4-17, Laune Rangers 4-19.
Laune Rangers:- Adam Radny, Daniel Kelly, Ciarán Birmingham, Conor Sheehan, James Jones, Aaron Doyle (0-1), Dylan Flynn (0-1), Alex Garry, Liam O’Connell, Colm Evans (0-3), Tomás Joy (0-2, 1f), Oran O’Sullivan (1-2), Jamie Flynn (2-4), John Horgan (0-4, 3f), Patrick O’Donnell (1-1). Subs:- Rian Hogan (0-1) for O’Donnell, Bryan McKenna for Garry.