Carey goal not enough to stop Milltown / Castlemaine in junior final

MID KERRY JUNIOR LEAGUE FINAL Laune Rangers 1-9 Milltown / Castlemaine 0-18

MILLTOWN / Castlemaine are Mid Kerry Junior League Champions for 2018 following defeat of Laune Rangers on Wednesday evening, although it took extra time to separate the sides in the Final, which was played in Cromane.

A low scoring first half saw Milltown leading by three points at the break. Eamon Carey opened the scoring with a fine point but Milltown/Castlemaine soon settled into the game.

With the breeze and sunlight at their backs, they scored five unanswered points through Kieran Carroll, Brendan Delaney, Eoin O’Mahony (two frees) and Paul Carroll to hold a four point lead after 22 minutes. Kieran Doona and John O’Shea pointed for Rangers before Jamie O’Shea knocked over the final point of the half with a free before the short whistle. Half Time score: Milltown/Castlemaine 0-6, Laune Rangers 0-3.

Mike Burke and Kieran Doona traded points at the start of the second half, while the sides scored two points each in the following five minutes. The sides were level in the 41st minute as Rangers captain Eamonn Carey hit the back of the net from the penalty spot.

Jamie O’Shea and Kieran Carroll pointed frees to leave Milltown / Castlemaine leading by 0-10 to 1-5 with 15 minutes to play.

Laune Rangers missed a guilt-edged chance to go ahead with another goal chance, but the ball rolled just wide of the post from Eamonn Carey’s shot. Kieran Carroll pointed again to put three between the sides in the 55th minute.

Daniel Whittleton pointed twice – one from an excellent 45’ – to leave the minimum between the sides, and Kieran Doona scored a fantastic point to level the game with the last kick of normal time. Score after 60 minutes: Milltown / Castlemaine 0-12, Laune Rangers 1-9.

Milltown / Castlemaine were much the stronger in extra-time. Rangers would not score again, while Milltown pointed three times in each period – Jamie O’Shea (2, 1 free) and Tadgh McCarthy in the first half, and Jonathan O’Sullivan made sure of the win with three points (two frees) before the end.