‘It’s a matter of time’

IT’S never easy to take any defeat in a final, especially on home turf, but Laune Rangers manager Timmy Fleming felt it was the cruel reality of sport when reflecting on his side’s loss last Sunday in JP O’Sullivan Park.

“It’s a very disappointing loss obviously, especially when the game appeared to be in our hands and all we had to do was close it out to win. Glenbeigh / Glencar just had that bit of experience bit by bit and the momentum turned their way in the second-half,” Fleming felt.

Peter Crowley’s injury cost the Killorglin side the ability to shore things up in the middle in the second period in Fleming’s opinion, but he declined to use the schmozzle in the 48th minute as an excuse for their loss when asked about it afterwards.

“We would be disappointed with some of the decisions [refereeing], but you have to take these things on the chin. The better team won on the day,” he said.

The Laune Rangers boss was keener to focus on the future however especially with some promising young players.

“We are coming but it will take that extra bit of experience to bring them on. There is a lot of good talent there and it is only a matter of time before they are successful again.

“We had a lot to deal with this year with injuries, players being unavailable at various times and retirements but getting to the Final for the first time in five years was a very good achievement. Today definitely told them that no Mid Kerry Championship is won easy as well,” Fleming said.

Keeping hold of their Intermediate status was an important thing to take out of 2018 in Fleming’s view as the club looks to continue its revival from Division 4 of the Senior Football League.

“I have every faith that the underage structure in the club will come to fruition in time and getting out of Division 4 has to be the next step that we take.

“As I said it’s a matter of time with the amount of effort that has been put in bringing the group of players through like we are the moment.”