COUNTY LEAGUE - 6th April 08

Laune Rangers 1-1

Castleisland Desmonds 2-05

A very small crowd turned out at JP O’Sullivan Park to see Laune Rangers host Castleisland Desmonds in Round 3 of the County League. The final score was Laune Rangers 1-11 Castleisland Desmonds 2-05. Rangers had the aid of a very strong wind in the first half and they got the scoring off to a start in the fourth minute with a well worked point in a move involving John Sheehan and Pa Sullivan. In the ninth minute Desmonds got a goal which went completely against the run of play. Micheal Walsh kicked a high ball in which looked to be a pass to Eric Nelligan but the ball bounced and went into the back of the net. However in the fourteenth minute Rangers replied to this with a goal of their own. Johnny Carey won the ball at the half back line and passed it off to Pa O’Sullivan, Johnny Carey went on a run up the field and Pa O’Sullivan passed it off to him again, Carey made no mistake in putting it in the back of the net. Maurice Foley and Tom McGillycuddy the two midfielders for Rangers added a point each. For the rest of the half it was pretty much point for point. In the twentieth minute Desmonds came back with a point from play. Mike Frank Russell added a point in the twenty third minute which resulted from a pass from Liam Hassett. Desmonds responded in the twenty fifth minute with a point from play. Mike Frank Russell finished the scoring of the half with a pointed free in injury time, the free was awarded for a foul on Pa Sheehan. The half time score was Laune Rangers 1-05 Castleisland Desmonds 1-02. Possibly a greater advantage would have been expected at half time due to the strong wind but a lot of Rangers chances in this half went wide and on a few occasions the final pass left them down. Rangers had a great third quarter notching up three points until there was a reply from Desmonds. Tom McGillycuddy pointed in the opening minute of the half, Liam Hassett won the ball from the throw in, he passed it off to Colin O’Connor, then to Mike Frank and Tom McGillycuddy made no mistake in taking his point. In the third minute Michale Frank Russell pointed a free, and in the fifth minute he got a point from play. The visitors were awarded a short free in the seventh minute which Mossie Lyons pointed. This put five points between the sides. In the eighteenth minute Tom McGillycuddy pointed from play and from the resultant kick out Kevin Flynn also notched up a point. Desmonds made a number of attacks on Rangers but the Rangers defence was steadfast, John Sheehan rock solid at full back as was Johnny Carey at left corner back. The half back line of Pa Sheehan, Kieran Crowley and John O’Sullivan also made some vital interceptions. In the twenty second minute Kieran Brennan did manage to pass the defence and pointed for the visitors. Rangers were awarded a free in the twenty seventh minute for a foul on Kevin Flynn which Mike Frank Russell had no problem in putting over. In the remaining minutes of the game Desmonds put on a lot of pressure and this paid off in the form of a pointed free from Martin Horgan and a scrappy goal from Eric Nelligan in injury time. This put three points between the sides but the visitors had run out of time and the referee blew his whistle to call time on proceedings. Teams Laune Rangers: Tony Lyons, Gerry O’Brien, John Sheehan, Johnny Carey(1-0), Pa Sheehan, Kieran Crowley, John O’Sullivan, Maurice Foley(0-01), Colin O’Connor, Seamie Foley, Liam Hassett, Tom McGillycuddy(0-03), Shane McSweeney, Pa O’Sullivan, Mike Frank Russell(0-06). Subs: Kevin Flynn(0-01), Billy O’Shea and Podge Foley. Castleisland Desmonds: Ger Reidy, Pierse Cremin, Shane Walsh, Niall Mitchell, David Walsh, Mossie Lyons, John McGealey, Mossie O’Connell, Kieran Brennan, Micheal Walsh, Pa Hickey, Martin Horgan, Kieran Sullivan, Eric Nelligan, Danny Prendiville.