Courtney goal ends the 36 year wait

FOR a trophy that looked like it would never go beyond Killorglin for much of its recent history, the Michael O'Connor Cup will reside in another parish it has not seen in a long time as Glenbeigh/Glencar followed Milltown/Castlemaine and Keel in ending their own long wait for a Mid Kerry Senior title after 36 years.

The outcome was in the balance, however, right until the closing stages with the game turning on two incidents in the space of five minutes. First, Pa Joy blasted wide for Laune Rangers in the 52nd minute when a cast-iron goal looked more likely

Five minutes later Glenbeigh substitute Kieran Courtney forced the ball into the net giving his side a four-point cushion that their opponents could only halve by the final whistle.

The final had been overshadowed in advance by the circumstances in which Laune Rangers had advanced to the final but the competition regained some of its shine with a keenly fought contest that ebbed and flowed throughout.

The duel between UCC team mates and Kerry prospects, Gavan O'Grady and Peter Crowley, was one of the features of the game, which was won by O'Grady on the day. As Darran O'Sullivan had a quiet game by his own high standards, Raymond O'Connor gladly stepped into the void with a man-of-the-match performance at midfield.

An early example of Glenbeigh/Glencar's intent came as early as the sixth minute when the hard working Danny O'sullivan did well to intercept a loose pass out of defence forcing a foul which saw O'grady convert the resulting free. O'grady scored his side's opening four points, three coming from frees, before Raymond O'Connor powered over from 40 metres in the 28th minute to put his side in front for the first time at 0-5 to 0-4.

Seamie Foley ensured the teams would be level at the break in an opening half that saw Laune Rangers look the more likely to score despite Glenbeigh/Glencar dominating the possession stakes. Mike Frank Russell had scored the opening two points inside the first five minutes, but Rangers' other two points in the half could easily have been goals as Pa Joy gave a prelude to his miss in the final 10 minutes with the young forward pointing good goal chances in the 13th and 21st minutes respectively.

Joy set Mike Frank up for the first score after the restart yet Glenbeigh/Glencar struck the next three points through two O'Connor frees and a Danny O'Sullivan point. The game was level again by the three-quarter mark at eight points a piece thanks to two more Russell frees with Colin McGillicuddy Team captain — and man-of-the-match — Raymond O'Connor lifts the O'Connor Cup after Glenbeigh/Glencar defeated Laune Rangers in the Mid Kerry Senior Championship Final in Beaufort on Saturday brave to catching a dangerous dropped in free in the meantime.

O'Connor put Glenbeigh/Glencar back in front with ten minutes left but their hearts skipped a beat two minutes later when Pa Joy with a score at his mercy amazingly blasted the ball wide at the entrance end in Beaufort. Jason McKenna found O'Connor to put Glenbeigh/Glencar back in front by two with Russell's sixth point making it a one point game with five minutes left.

Then came the score they will be celebrated for a long time in the two villages, Gavan O'Grady's 57th minute free was well caught by O'Connor whose shot was subsequently well parried by Tony Lyons. However, Rangers could do nothing about the rebound from the recently introduced Courtney as he raised the green flag which put his side 1-10 to 0-9 ahead.

Both Joy and Russell, with point number seven, tried to make amends but it was too little too late as the final whistle sounded to wild scenes of celebration from the Glenbeigh/Glencar contingent.

In ending their 36-year wait they have truly won their long overdue title in style with superb victories not only over Rangers, but also high flying Milltown/Castlemaine as well. They restored dignity to the competition after recent events – not that those was their fault, but this could well be the shot in the arm the club needs to make the breakthrough at county level in the near future.

GLENBEIGH/GLENCAR: Peter O'Sullivan, Jeremiah Hoare, Micheal Walsh, Kieran Doyle, Pa Kilkenny, Fergal Griffin, Bernard Murphy, Raymond O'Connor (0-5, 3f), Colin McGillicuddy, Danny O'Sullivan (01), Darran O'Sullivan, Chris O'Sullivan, Jason McKenna, Gavan O'Grady (0-4, 3f), Barry Houlihan, Kieran Courtney (1-0) for C O'Sullivan, Rory O'Connor for B Houlihan.

LAUNE RANGERS: Tony Lyons, Kieran Crowley, Peter Crowley, Cormac Johnston, Pa Sheehan, Ciaran Doona, Jeremy O'Callaghan, Tom McGillycuddy, Shane McSweeney, Maurice Foley, Liam Hassett, Pa Joy (0-3), Mike Frank Russell (0-7, 5f), Geoffrey Mahony, Seamie Foley (01) Ryan Keane for Mahony, Colin O'Dwyer for S Foley.

REFEREE: Pádraig O'Sullivan (Firies)

Glenbeigh/Glencar bridge 36-year gap

Glenbeigh/Glencar 1-10 Laune Rangers 0-11
By Kieran McCarthy

Monday, January 16, 2012

GLENBEIGH/GLENCAR were crowned Mid Kerry senior football champions for the first time in 36 years in dramatic circumstances at Beaufort on Saturday.

On a day when their Kerry talisman Darran O’Sullivan struggled to grab the game by the scruff of the neck around midfield, Glenbeigh/Glencar were inspired by man of the match Raymond O’Connor and Gavan O’Grady when it mattered most, as the club won its first senior district title since 1975.

Second best in the opening half, Glenbeigh/Glencar rallied heroically in the second half, with sub Kieran Courtney grabbing the defining goal just four minutes from the end, to push his side four points clear, 1-10 to 0-9.

But even then Laune Rangers refused to throw in the towel, as the fleet-footed Pa Joy and former Kerry footballer Mike Frank Russell pulled two points back.

It was all in vain though, as Glenbeigh/Glencar held on for an unlikely victory.

But while Rangers bossed the play early on, the sides were tied 0-5 apiece at half-time, with a brace apiece from Russell and Joy and a Seamie Foley point all the Killorglin club had to show, while Gavan O’Grady (0-4) and Raymond O’Connor (0-1) responded for Glenbeigh/Glencar.

Two early O’Connor scores that sandwiched a Danny O’Sullivan effort moved Glenbeigh/Glencar 0-8 to 0-6 clear in the second-half, and while a pair of Russell frees levelled the game once more, Glenbeigh/Glencar had the momentum, with O’Connor, again, sending his team clear, with minutes left.

And that’s where they stayed after a dramatic finale.

Scorers for Glenbeigh/Glencar: R O’Connor 0-5 (2fs), G O’Grady 0-4 (2f), K Courtney 1-0, Danny O’Sullivan 0-1.

Scorers for Laune Rangers: MF Russell 0-7 (5f), P Joy 0-3, S Foley 0-1.

GLENBEIGH/GLENCAR: P O’Sullivan; J Hoare, M Walsh, K Doyle, P Kilkenny, F Griffin, B Murphy; R O’Connor, C McGillycuddy; Danny O’Sullivan, Darran O’Sullivan, C O’Sullivan; J McKenna, G O’Grady, B Houlihan.

Subs: K Courtney for C O’Sullivan (38), R O’Connor for B Houlihan (49).

LAUNE RANGERS: T Lyons; K Crowley, P Crowley, C Johnston; P Sheahan, K Doona, J O’Callaghan; T McGillycuddy, S McSweeney; M Foley, L Hassett, P Joy; MF Russell, G O’Mahony, S Foley.

Subs: R Keane for G O’Mahony (49), C Dwyer for S Foley (58).

Referee: Padraig O’Sullivan (Firies).

Laune Rangers:  1-08

Keel:                  0-08

A Semi-Final meeting with Cromane was what was at stake when Laune Rangers hosted Keel in the Mid-Kerry Championship on Saturday last. It was the home team that triumphed, securing their spot in a St. Stephen’s Day showdown with their nearest rivals, Cromane.

A lackluster first half made way for a close fought, entertaining second half which saw Laune Rangers emerge victorious on a score line of Laune Rangers 1-08 – 0-08 Keel.

 Laune Rangers opened the scoring with points from Pa Joy and Colin O’Dwyer in the opening 3 minutes of the game. Keel replied with two Gary Sayers points to level the game at two points a piece with seven minutes played. A deadlock ensued for the next 24 minutes as neither side could get points on the scoreboard. Both sides had numerous opportunities but neither side could manage to find the posts. A final minute Liam Sheehan free was what separated the teams at the short whistle. Half-Time score: Keel 0-03 – 0-02 Laune Rangers.

Liam Sheehan opened the second half scoring with a point in the opening minute, giving Keel a two point advantage. This lead didn’t last long however as Laune Rangers, Kieran Doona, struck for the game’s only goal. Keel’s Michael Evans did well to stop a Pa Joy shot on goal but it fell nicely to the home side and Doona made no mistake in slotting it passed Evans in the Keel goal giving Rangers the lead for the first time since the opening minutes of the game. A well taken Gary Sayers effort saw the game level once more in the 3^rd minute of the half. Laune Rangers went infront again soon after when Mike Frank Russell put over another free. Both sides swapped points in the minutes that followed with Mike Frank Russell converting a free and a superbly taken 45’ by Liam Sheehan for Keel. In the 21^st minute, Sheehan had a similar 45’ chance but the resulting shot dropped short and was cleared by Rangers’ Tom McGillycuddy. When Shane McSweeney was fouled, Mike Frank Russell made no mistake, giving his team a two point advantage. A mistake in the resulting kick-out saw Rangers stage another quick attack, finishing in a Shane McSweeney fisted point, to put the goal between the sides with 22 minutes on the clock. Keel had a chance for a goal in the 26^th minute of the half when a nice ball was send across the goal mouth. Thomas Ladden attempted to send the ball towards the Laune Rangers net but Keel had to settle for a point as the ball rose over the crossbar. It was a nervous final few minutes as Keel went in search of further scores and Laune Rangers fought hard to hold on to their lead. Liam Hassett put three points between the sides once more with a well taken point after some quick thinking from corner back, Cormac Johnston.  A Gary Sayers pointed free was too little too late for the visitors as Rangers’ Tom McGillycuddy secured the home side’s win with an injury time effort to leave the final score; 1-08 to 0-08 in Laune Rangers favour.

Laune Rangers now progress to a Semi-Final meeting with neighbours Cromane on St. Stephen’s Day.

Teams:

Laune Rangers: Tony Lyons, Kieran Crowley, Peter Crowley, Cormac Johnston, Pa Sheehan, John Sheehan, Jeremy O’Callaghan, Tom McGillycuddy, Shane McSweeney, Maurice Foley, Liam Hassett, Pa Joy, Mike Frank Russell, Geoffrey Mahony, Colin O’Dwyer. SUBS: Kieran Doona, Ryan Keane, Shane O’Connor

Keel: Michael Evans, Aaron Cahillane, Emmet Ashe, Bart Murphy, James Foley, Gary Nagle, James Nagle, Thomas Ladden, Maurice Moriarty, Martin Burke, Gary Sayers, Ronan Sayers, Terry O’Sullivan, Liam Sheehan, Jason Foley.

O'Mahony, who started at midfield, picked up a leg injury in a clash with Kerry and UCC defender Peter Crowley inside the opening ten minutes, and though hobbling on one leg, as the other was heavily bandaged, O'Mahony refused to go off and he was moved to the edge of the square. Within minutes he had kicked over a point with his good leg and another on the stroke of half time that gave Rathmore a 0-7 to 0-5 lead.

Then, when Rangers fought back in the third quarters, to lead by two 0-10 to 0-8 thanks to two points each from Mike Frank Russell and Seamie Foley, and a superb Pa Sheehan effort, O'Mahony dug even deeper to win vital ball as Rathmore responded with two unanswered points, from Mark Reen and Cormac O'Sullivan to level the contest by the 52nd minute.

Rathmore had the momentum, and O'Mahony was eventually persuaded to give in and was replaced by Paul Reen, but his heroics were central to Rathmore's win and team boss Denis Moynihan was quick to acknowledge the bravery of O'Mahony and the contribution of his Kerry team mate Tom O'Sullivan "We should have taken him off earlier. But he didn't want to come. We moved him into full-forward and he scored two points.
However it was a thought in our head before we ever played that we might put him in there. Certainly we were forced to move him there.
He spoke about that at half-time that even on one leg he would give it everything. That will tell you what it means to Aidan, and to Tom. They have been huge the last few weeks with us; they have really taken up the mantle. After losing to Dublin, it was good for them and we would not be celebrating now only for them. We really, really wanted it. The boys showed great character."

The importance of Rathmore's win will not be known until after next Sunday's SFC Final between Mid Kerry and Crokes because If Mid Kerry win, then it will be Rathmore that will; represent Kerry in the Munster Club. How does that go down in Rathmore?
"It would be incredible for Rathmore to be involved in the Munster series. We wish Dr Crokes the best of luck but we just might be shouting slightly for Mid Kerry." Quipped a delighted Moynihan.  
The game was there for the taking in the final eight minutes, but Rathmore thanks to points from Mark Reen and Michael O'Riordan, hit the front and despite instance late pressure from Rangers, Tom O'Sullivan and Rathmore held on for their first senior Club title in 12 years.

Scorers:
Rathmore
M O'Riordan 0-4 (0-3 frees), M Reen 0-3, A O'Mahony and J Moynihan 0-2 each, C O'Sullivan 0-1 each

Laune Rangers
M F Russell 0-5 (0-3 frees, 0-1'45), S Foley 0-3, P Sheehan and S McSweeney 0-1 each

Teams:
Rathmore
P McCarthy, C Kelly, T O'Sullivan, J O'Sullivan, P Murphy, K Cahill, C O'Sullivan, A O'Mahony, J Buckley, E Lawlor, M Reen, G O'Keeffe, M O'Riordan, Donal O'Sullivan, J Moynihan
Subs: Paul Reen for A O'Mahony (52 inj), S Lehane for D O'Sullivan (54)

Laune Rangers
T Lyons, K Crowley, J Carey, C Johnson, P Sheehan, J Sheehan, P Crowley, S McSweeney, T McGillycuddy, M Foley, K Doona, S O'Connor, M F Russell, S Foley, G O'Mahony
Subs: P Joy for S O'Connor (h/t), R Keane for G O'Mahony (52),

Referee: Denis Sayers (Austin Stacks)

O'Rahillys manager Mark Fitzgerald must be wondering has he upset the Gods because no sooner does he gain a player, than he seems to lose one almost straight away.
Last year David Moran was the star as older brother Brian struggled, now David is out for the season, and Brian is filling in at midfield.
Then no sooner had Tommy Walsh returned from St Kilda's to help the Blues out, but his brother Barry John is ruled out for the rest of the season after an ankle operation.!
Still this game will stand to O'Rahillys as they prepare for this weekends clash with West Kerry but O'Rahillys will have to play much better and be far more clinical if they are not to go the same way as top club side Dingle did last Sunday to divisional side East Kerry.

There was very little between the sides in the opening half as two points apiece for O'Rahillys from Barry John Keane, Declan Quill and John O'Connor kept the Tralee club just ahead in a close first half, leading 0-6 to 0-5 after 24 minutes, before Quill's crisp finish, after a Tommy Walsh shot was only parried by Tony Lyons , and Declan Quill followed up to finish to the Rangers net.

O'Rahillys lost this game in the five minute period coming up to half time when they allowed Laune Rangers to rally and five unanswered points from including 0-3 from Mike Frank Russell, saw Laune Rangers lead 0-11 to 1-7 at half-time, when they might have retired two or three points down.

Division 1 – County League – written by Aidan Clifford

Laune Rangers 1-9,

Dingle 1-13

JP O’Sullivan Park, Killorglin was the venue for this post-Puck Co League game between Laune Rangers and Dingle. The game started at a fast pace, with Shane O’Connor opening the score for the home side in the 2nd minute. Dingle’s slow start didn’t last long though. After a quick exchange of wides, Mike Geaney slotted over the bar from the 45 to level the scores after 6 mins. William Devane and Paul Devane added points for Dingle before a defensive mixup amongst the Laune Rangers full backs left the ball in the back oLaune Rangers 1-9, Dingle 1-13 JP O’Sullivan Park, Killorglin was the venue for this post-Puck Co League game between Laune Rangers and Dingle. The game started at a fast pace, with Shane O’Connor opening the score for the home side in the 2nd minute. Dingle’s slow start didn’t last long though. After a quick exchange of wides, Mike Geaney slotted over the bar from the 45 to level the scores after 6 mins. William Devane and Paul Devane added points for Dingle before a defensive mixup amongst the Laune Rangers full backs left the ball in the back of the net from the hand of a home defender.. A minute later, Aidan O’Neill added another point to make the score 1-4 to 0-1 after 11 minutes. After wides from both sides, Pa Sheehan and Mike Frank Russell (free) pointed for Rangers to put 4 points between the teams. Dingle then stretched the lead to 5 points from the boot of full-forward William Devane. Rangers midfielder Paudie Murphy scored a great point from 45 yards, before Russell slotted another curling free to put a goal between the teams, 0-5 to 1-5 after 26 mins. The first half excitement wasn’t over though as Rangers keeper Tony Lyons pulled off a super save to deny a certain goal. Mike Geaney scored the resulting 45’ to put the half time score at 1-6 to 0-5. The 2nd half started with a bang, as straight from the throw in Laune Rangers won the ball and Mike Frank sent the ball through to centre-forward Geoffrey Mahony who smashed in to the back of the net for a great goal. The same player quickly slotted a point to level the scores after three minutes of the 2nd half. Dingle quickly woke up though and points from William Devane, Mike Geaney, Liam Higgins, and Seamus Dowd had the visitors well ahead with 15 minutes to go 1-6 to 1-10. Mike Frank Russell slotted over the bar for Rangers before William Devane pointed and Geaney scored a brace for Dingle to put the scores f the net from the hand of a home defender.. A minute later, Aidan O’Neill added another point to make the score 1-4 to 0-1 after 11 minutes. After wides from both sides, Pa Sheehan and Mike Frank Russell (free) pointed for Rangers to put 4 points between the teams. Dingle then stretched the lead to 5 points from the boot of full-forward William Devane. Rangers midfielder Paudie Murphy scored a great point from 45 yards, before Russell slotted another curling free to put a goal between the teams, 0-5 to 1-5 after 26 mins. The first half excitement wasn’t over though as Rangers keeper Tony Lyons pulled off a super save to deny a certain goal. Mike Geaney scored the resulting 45’ to put the half time score at 1-6 to 0-5. The 2nd half started with a bang, as straight from the throw in Laune Rangers won the ball and Mike Frank sent the ball through to centre-forward Geoffrey Mahony who smashed in to the back of the net for a great goal. The same player quickly slotted a point to level the scores after three minutes of the 2nd half. Dingle quickly woke up though and points from William Devane, Mike Geaney, Liam Higgins, and Seamus Dowd had the visitors well ahead with 15 minutes to go 1-6 to 1-10. Mike Frank Russell slotted over the bar for Rangers before William Devane pointed and Geaney scored a brace for Dingle to put the scores at 1-7 to 1-13 with five minutes to go. Russell added another for Rangers before Shane McSweeney broke from midfield and grazed the crossbar with a rasping shot that could so easily have gone into the back of the net. That put the score at 1-9 to 1-13 and it proved to be the final score of the game.

Teams:-

Laune Rangers: T Lyons, K Crowley, J Carey, C Johnson, C Riordan, J Sheehan, K Sheehan, S McSweeney, P Murphy, C Dwyer, G Mahony, C O’Shea, S O’Connor, MF Russell, P Sheehan

Dingle: G Curran, JB Brosnan, J Kelliher, G Curran, P Devane, B Kelliher, TB Brosnan, C Moriarty, B O’Connor, M Geaney, L Higgins, A O’Neill, P Murphy, W Devane, S Dowd.

Division 5 South – Phase 2 – County League – Laune Rangers B vs Strand Road

Laune Rangers B: 1-07
Strand Road:        0-08

Laune Rangers were in search of their first win of Phase 2 when they hosted Strand Road on Sunday afternoon, while a win for the Tralee side would have seen them take top spot.

Strand Road were first out of the traps with a point from midfielder John McGrath after 7 minutes. John Ferguson added a second with 11 minutes played to put the Tralee side two points to the good. Both sides notched up a number of wides in the minutes that followed before Chris Riordan opened the scoring for the home side after a very clever pass from centre back, Cormac Johnston. Rangers centre forward, Colm O’Shea levelled the game in the 21st minute. Strand Road regained the lead soon after when John McGrath converted a free. This lead was extended when Liam Kissane was through on goal but took his point leaving Strand Road with a 4 points to 2 points advantage. Two Colm O’Shea points in the 26th and 27th minutes levelled the game once more going into the closing minutes of the half. Brendan O’Shea got the final point of the half after some bad marking from Laune Rangers saw O’Shea through with ease to leave the score 0-04 to 0-05 at the short whistle.

Strand Road got the first spoils of the second half with points from John McGrath and a fisted effort in the opening minutes to give the visitors a three point lead. Laune Rangers answered with a fisted point from substitute, Gavin O’Shea, before Chris Riordan went through for the only goal of the game. Rikus O’Connor delivered a good ball into the forward line who passed off to Chris Riordan who was running in on goal. Riordan made no mistake in slotting the ball passed Garry Sugrue in the Strand Road goal. The goal gave Laune Rangers the lead for the first time in the game, a lead they never relinquished. Liam McCarthy extended Laune Rangers lead with a point after midfielder, Mark Healy, dispossessed a Strand Road player and went on the attack. David Rusk added his name to the scoresheet for the visitors in the 25th minute to narrow Rangers lead to a point but a final Colm O’Shea effort ensured that Rangers had done enough to take the points. Final score: Laune Rangers B 1-07 – 0-08 Strand Road.

TEAMS:

Laune Rangers: Jason Browne, Liam McCarthy, Ger O’Sullivan, Redmond Fitzgerald, Aaron Gamble, Cormac Johnston, Chris Riordan, Rikus O’Connor, Mark Healy, Ryan Lucey, Colm O’Shea, Sean T. O’Connor, Ryan Keane, Podge Foley, Eamonn Carey. SUBS: Gavin O’Shea

Strand Road: Garry Sugrue, Dominic Houlihan, Johnny Kelly, Paudie Sheehy-Cunningham, Thomas McGrath, Joey Flynn, Ciarán Higgins, Brendan O’Shea, John McGrath, David Rusk, John Ferguson, Martin Fitzgerald, Ronan Quinn, Liam Kissane, Alan Sheehy-Cunningham.

Laune Rangers vs Glenbeigh/Glencar – O’Sullivan Cup

Laune Rangers:            4-07

Glenbeigh/Glencar:   0-10

The local rivalry was plain to see in this O’Sullivan Cup fixture played in Killorglin on Monday evening last as it was obvious from the throw-in that both teams wanted the win.

It looked like it was going to be a very tight game with the home side leading by the narrowest of margins at the short whistle however they found an extra gear from somewhere and went on to take firm control of the game in the second half, winning comfortably in the end.

Glenbeigh were first out of the blocks with a pointed free from centre forward, Rory O’Connor, in the 2^nd minute. The visitors had a chance to extend their lead in the 7^th minute when they were through on goal only for Laune Rangers keeper, Tony Lyons, being on hand to pull off a save. Both sides squandered further chances and it wasn’t until the 11^th minute that Laune Rangers registered their first score, coming from the boot of Colm O’Shea (free). Glenbeigh answered with a point, again from Rory O’Connor, to regain the advantage with 13 minutes played. Glenbeigh midfielder, Jason McKenna, extended their lead some more when he pointed mid-way through the half to leave Glenbeigh/Glencar 0-03 to 0-01 to the good. Jonathan Griffin got his name on the score sheet for the visitors with 18 minutes played after Glenbeigh put ferocious pressure on the Laune Rangers backs and regained possession. A Podge Foley point with 22 minutes played narrowed Glenbeigh/Glencar’s lead slightly. Glenbeigh’s Jason McKenna and Rangers’ Podge Foley swapped points in the minutes that followed to leave it 0-05 to 0-03 in the visitors favour with less than 5 minutes to play in the half. Jonathan Griffin was again on hand to register his second of the evening ( against his former Club) leaving Glenbeigh with a 3 point advantage. Laune Rangers drew level in the 30^th minute when a lovely cross field ball landed nicely for Eamonn Carey in the Laune Rangers forward line. Carey made no mistake in finding the back of the Glenbeigh/Glencar net levelling the game at 1-03 to 0-06. A John Joe Quirke point put Glenbeigh back into the lead but this didn’t last long as a Colm O’Shea point from a free and a superb Shane O’Connor effort left the game 1-05 to 0-07 in the home sides favour at the short whistle.

Laune Rangers had most of the possession in the opening minutes of the second half but were unable to find the target. Substitute, Rikus O’Connor, was through 1-on-1 with Peter O’Sullivan in the Glenbeigh goal in the 5^th minute but O’Sullivan saved the resulting shot. A fisted point from full forward Podge Foley opened the second half scoring with 6 minutes played to extend Rangers lead out to two points. Glenbeigh’s Jason McKenna and Podge Foley again swapped points soon after. Eamonn Carey registered his and Rangers second goal of the evening with 11 minutes on the clock. Carey put great pressure on O’Sullivan in the Glenbeigh goal, regaining possession and calmly slotting the ball into the net, leaving Laune Rangers a 2-07 to 0-08 advantage. In the 19^th minute, Cian Griffin put his name on the score sheet for the visitors with a pointed free to narrow Rangers lead to 4 points. With 23 minutes played, Eamonn Carey got his hat-trick when a quick thinking Eoin O’Sullivan spotted an unmarked Carey. Carey made no mistake in firing the ball passed O’Sullivan extending his personal tally for the evening. At that point the score stood at 3-07 to 0-09 with less than 10 minutes to play. A lovely pass from Shane O’Connor to Eamonn Carey saw Carey through for his final goal in the 25^th minute ensuring the win for the home side. A final Glenbeigh point from the boot of Leon Seidler was too little too late for the visitors as referee, Mike Moriarty, blew the final whistle soon after to leave the final score: Laune Rangers 4-07 to 0-10 Glenbeigh/Glencar.

Best for Rangers: Tony Lyons, Aaron Gamble, Shane O’Connor, Eamonn Carey, Podge Foley.

Best for Glenbeigh/Glencar: Jason McKenna, Pa Kilkenny, Barry Houlihan, Jonathan Griffin.

TEAMS:

Laune Rangers: Tony Lyons, Ryan Lucey, Cormac Johnston, Ger O’Sullivan, Luke Bradley, Jeremy O’Callaghan, Aaron Gamble, Mark Healy, Podge Murphy, Shane O’Connor, Colm O’Shea, Eoin O’Sullivan, Eamonn Carey, Podge Foley, Ryan Keane. SUBS USED: Rikus O’Connor,

Glenbeigh/Glencar: Peter O’Sullivan, Mikey Griffin, Jerry Hoare, Sean Roche, Danny Sullivan, Pa Kilkenny, Vincent Hoare, Colin McGillycuddy, Jason McKenna, Cian Griffin, Rory O’Connor, Jack O’Shea, Barry Houlihan, John Joe Quirke, Jonathan Griffin. SUBS USED: Leon Seidler.