The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Laune Rangers survive as Gneeveguila drop
COUNTY IFC RELEGATION FINAL Laune Rangers 1-13 Gneeveguilla 1-11
LAUNE Rangers retained their intermediate status for 2019 after a hard fought but deserved win over a spirited, but limited, Gneeveguilla side at Lewis Road last Sunday.
Gneeveguilla looked in control for large chunks of the game and actually led by five points with 40 minutes gone, but Laune Rangers drove on from there and their extra fitness and guile propelled them to the win. As well as that, the re-positioning of the excellent John Tyther to centre half back released Peter Crowley to midfield, and this gave the Killorglin team a more dynamic threat around the middle third.
Laune Rangers outscored their opponents by 1-5 to 0-1 in the last 20 minutes of the contest as the Gneeveguilla lads struggled to get decent scoring opportunities and Laune Rangers poured bodies back. With Gneeveguilla’s dangerman Cornelius Buckley now starved of possession, their threat fizzled out and Laune Rangers secured a two-point victory.
The game started brightly for Gneeveguilla and they found themselves 1-1 to no score ahead after three minutes. Their goal came from the penalty spot when Cornelius Buckley dispatched the ball to the top corner following a foul on Michael Brosnan.
Gneeveguilla began to take the ball aimlessly into the tackle however, and the Killorglin side scored four points on the bounce from Darragh O’Sullivan, Daire Cleary and frees from Fiachra Clifford and Colm O’Shea, to push them one ahead, 1-1 to 0-4, with 13 minutes gone. Laune Rangers also had a shout for a penalty in this period when Fiachra Clifford appeared to be fouled in the act of shooting, but the referee waved play on.
A brace of points from Shane Crowley and Buckley settled Gneeveguilla once more, before Tyther replied for Laune Rangers with a lovely punched effort after a strong run at the heart of the Gneeveguilla defence.
Buckley then began to make his mark on proceedings and slotted over three points in a row as Laune Rangers struggled to contain the Gneeveguilla forward. Laune Rangers were still dangerous in transition though, and Patrick O’Riordan effected a good stop from Daire Cleary before Fiachra Clifford slotted over a point from the rebound. There was still time for Colm O’Shea and Buckley to trade points before the half time whistle sounded, and Gneeveguilla took a well earned 1-7 to 0-7 lead in at the break.
Laune Rangers started well in the second half and Colm O’Shea used the wind to his advantage when he shot over from a monster point from 50 metres. Rangers began to give possession away cheaply, however, and this played into Gneeveguilla’s hands as Buckley slotted over three points on the bounce, with one from play, to make the scoreline 1-10 to 0-8 with 40 minutes gone. From here on in it was all Laune Rangers though, and prompted by Crowley, Tyther and Darragh O’Sullivan, they began to make inroads on the Gneeveguilla defence.
O’Shea pointed two frees, before the pivotal moment of the game came in the 49th minute. A fast breakaway involving O’Sullivan and Clifford saw the inrushing Patrick Carey finish excellently to the top corner of the Gneeveguilla net to push Laune Rangers into the lead for the first time in the game, 1-11 to 1-10.
Darragh O’Sullivan added his second point of the contest soon afterwards, and the tide was now firmly turned in Laune Rangers’ favour. Fiachra Clifford nudged his side three ahead in the 53rd minute as the Gneeveguilla legs were noticeably tiring.
Patrick Warren and Michael Murphy were showing stern resistance for Gneeveguilla, but after some poor wides, all they had to show for their efforts was a Cornelius Buckley free in the 64th minute as Laune Rangers emerged as two-point victors. LAUNE RANGERS: Jason Browne, Ronan Sayers, Jonathan Carey, Cormac Johnston, Patrick Carey (1-0), Peter Crowley, Neil O’Brien, Shane Daly, Darragh O’Sullivan (0-2), Darragh O’Connor, Jack O’Connor, John Tyther (0-1), Fiachra Clifford (0-4, 2f), Colm O’Shea (0-5, 1f), Daire Cleary (0-1). Subs: Sean Arthurs for N O’Brien (22), Darragh O’Connor for D Costelloe (24), Eamon Carey for R Sayers (39),Cathal Doyle for P Sayers (b/c, 60).
GNEEVEGUILLA: Patrick O’Riordan, Darren Brosnan, Eoghan Lawlor, Connie O’Connor, Shane Crowley (0-1), Patrick Warren, Kevin Coughlan, Padraig O’Connor, Michael Murphy, Padraig Doyle, Don Murphy (0-2), Conor Herlihy, Michael Brosnan, Cornelius Buckley (1-8, 1 pen, 5f) , Jack Cremin. Subs: Jamie Brosnan for C Herlhy (h/t), Padraig Doyle for J Cremin (41), Sean O’Keeffe for M Brosnan (52), Ciaran O’Connor for D Murphy (52).
REFEREE: Denis Sayers (Austin Stacks)