Senior men B team played Rathmore in first round of Moylneaux Cup on Saturday 13th in J.P. O’Sullivan Park at 5pm.
Laune Rangers and Rathmore shared the spoils in an exciting Round 1 clash of the Molyneaux Cup at JP O’Sullivan Park, with the game finishing level at 2-15apiece after late drama.
Laune Rangers started strongly, with early scores from Cian O’Shea, Adam Owens and Darragh O’Grady putting them three points ahead. Rathmore got off the mark with a free and added a two-pointer soon after, but Rangers kept their noses in front through further points from O’Shea, Calum Moriarty and Owens.
The game’s first big turning point came deep in first half injury time. Darragh O’Grady and John Burke pointed before Cian O’Shea struck for a goal to give Laune Rangers a commanding half-time lead of 1-8 to 0-4. Goalkeeper Adam Carey also made a key save to keep Rathmore at bay.
Rathmore hit back early in the second half with a free and later a goal to close the gap, but Rangers responded well. O’Grady kept the scoreboard moving and Adam Owens converted a penalty on 45 minutes, quickly following up with a free to push the Killorglin men ahead again. A fine point by Marc Clifford stretched the margin, though Rathmore refused to go away and chipped at the lead with points of their own.
The final minutes were dramatic. Pa Carey received a second yellow card, reducing Laune Rangers to 14 men. Rathmore took full advantage, hitting 1-3 in injury time, including a late goal and a two-point free, to snatch a draw.
Laune Rangers:- Adam Carey, Joseph O’Neill, Gavan Mangan, Niall T O’Brien, Calum Moriarty (0-1), Patrick Carey, Cillian Foley, Callum Russell, Stephen Sealy, Gavin O’Shea, John Burke (0-1), Marc Clifford (0-1), Cian O’Shea (1-3, 1f), Darragh O’Grady (0-4), Adam Owens (1-5, pen, 2f). Subs: Jack O’Sullivan for G Mangan, Andrew Owens for D O’Grady.