Laune Rangers Finally Secure Ladies Senior Championship Title by Imelda Roche
Killorglin Side Land Coveted Title At Last
After numerous league titles and near misses, Laune Rangers finally
secured the Caroline Broderick Memorial Senior Cup defeating Southern
Gaels in the Azzurri Sport Senior final on Sunday. Played in difficult
windy conditions in Kilcummin, they set the tempo of the game, leading
from start to finish.
However no one could foresee even at half time what the second half
would bring, as both sides were nip tuck in the first half. Through
county star Patrice Dennehy, who played a key role all day, Laune
Rangers were first on the board with two points. Deirdre Corridan got
Southern Gaels on the board after eight minutes with a pointed free.
Scoring options were limited as both defences were on top and the
strong breeze which was aiding the Laune side meant a lot of passes were
overcooked and shots dropped short into keeper’s hands. Sarah Houlihan
was first to test the goalkeeper’s reactions forcing Southern Gaels
keeper Meabh Daly into a good save.
Rangers keeper Ciara O’Connor – a late tactical switch from full back
to goals – was then forced into action by Deirdre Corridan and pulled
off a great double save. Southern Gaels cut the Laune Rangers lead
midway through the half to just a single point with scores from Megan
O’Connell, Leanne Curran and Linda Cronin, but Laune Rangers responded
landing some strong scores through Patrice Dennehy, Sarah Houlihan &
Bernie Breen.
At half-time Laune Rangers led by 0-9 to Southern Gaels’ 0-6.
Bright Start
It was Southern Gaels who started the second half the brighter and
with the wind aiding them a three point deficit seemed far from
insurmountable. Straight from the throw in they attacked the Rangers
goal at speed, and but for some frantic defending from the Rangers they
would have given away the first goal of the game. Instead it was Laune
Rangers who had the first score – a pointed free from Sarah Houlihan.
The turning point in the game came in the sixth minute of the second
half. Southern Gaels, who were working hard around the middle, secured
possession from a breaking ball and quickly moved the ball into the full
forward line. A goal mouth scramble ensued with Southern Gaels having
strong claims for a penalty. The ref, however, waved play on and Laune
Rangers themselves attacked at speed, with Sarah Houlihan finishing a
swift counter-attack to the back of the net.
The Southern side were rattled and tried to work a goal opportunity
themselves straight away but again they found the Killorglin defence
well up to the task. They worked a free quickly up field again, and this
time Patrice Dennehy ended the move with the ball in the back of the
net. It was now Laune Rangers 2-10 Southern Gaels 0-6.
The wind was up in the Laune Rangers sails and they kept attacking in
waves. The southern side just couldn’t seem to hold them back any more.
Anne Marie O’Donoghue added another goal shortly after and Patrice
& Sarah Houlihan tacked on points. It was looking very ominous at
this stage, particularly after Johanna O’Callaghan added a fourth Laune
Rangers goal in somoewhate fortunate circumstances, as her attempted
long range was caught by the wind and dropped in behind the keeper’s
head.
It was now damage limitation for Southern Gaels. It took them 14
minutes of the second half to land a score – a point from Leanne Curran.
Shortly after Patrice struck for another goal, leaving the score at
5-15 to 0-09 at the end.
Sarah Jane Joy received the cup from Chairperson Pat Harnett a great honour as it was the first senior title in the club.
They now go forward to compete in the Munster Club championship – opposition unknown at this stage.