Na Fianna 2-14, Laune Rangers 2-13
Na Fianna – an amalgamation of Templenoe/Tousist/Sneem/Derrynane – held off a strong second-half comeback from Laune Rangers to win a thrilling Central Region Minor Division 1 Final on Monday evening last in Dromid.
It was a lively contest from the throw-in, with Laune Rangers starting brightly. John Horgan and Colm Evans both split the posts early to give the Killorglin side a two-point lead inside four minutes. However, Na Fianna settled into the game well, with Cillian O’Sullivan landing two frees and Donnacha O’Sullivan adding a fine score from play.
A crucial moment in the half came in the 20th minute when Darragh Murphy finished calmly to the net after a well-worked move, giving Na Fianna a lead they wouldn’t give up. They pushed on with further points from Michael O’Mahony and the in-form Cillian O’Sullivan, who finished the half with four points,
Half Time Score:- Na Fianna 1-8, Laune Rangers 0-5.
Laune Rangers made two changes at half-time, bringing on Charlie O’Sullivan and Adam O’Neill, and it provided a spark. Despite Donnacha O’Sullivan pointing early for Na Fianna, Colm Evans fired a goal for Rangers to bring them right back into the match.
Na Fianna responded well, with Caoilte O’Hurdail and Fionan Foley among the scorers, and Michael O’Mahony raising a second green flag midway through the half. At that point, they looked to be pulling away.
But Laune Rangers refused to lie down. Points from Adam O’Neill, Jamie Flynn, and Patrick O’Donnell, along with a late goal by O’Neill, brought them right back into the game. Adam O’Neill, who made a big impact off the bench, also slotted a late two-point free to set up a tense finish.
However, Darragh Murphy added his second point and Tom Clifford tapped over a free to keep the scoreboard ticking. A final insurance point from play sealed the win for the South Kerry side side.
Full Time Score:- Na Fianna 2-14, Laune Rangers 2-13,
Laune Rangers:- Adam Radny, Daniel Kelly, Ciarán Birmingham, Conor Sheehan, James Jones (0-1), Aaron Doyle (0-1), Dylan Flynn, Alex Garry, Liam O’Connell, Colm Evans (1-2), Tomás Joy (0-1f), Oran O’Sullivan, Jamie Flynn (0-1), John Horgan (capt, 0-2), Patrick O’Donnell (0-1). Subs: Charlie O’Sullivan for O’Connell, Adam O’Neill (1-4, 1tpf) for Kelly, Rian Hogan for Sheehan.