Laune Rangers and Milltown/Castlemaine will be happy to have another day out after exciting draw.

Milltown/Castlemaine    0-10

Laune Rangers                1-7

Despite being short quite a number of regulars on both sides, Milltown/Castlemaine and Laune Rangers served up a tough but trilling hour in this Mid-Kerry senior football league final played in ideal conditions in the Paddy Memorial Park, Milltown on Saturday evening.

The quality of the football may not have been the best at times and indeed the fact that half the scores came from places kicks shows that at times it became quite sloppy with handling errors  aplenty on both sides.

But, for sheer intensity and closeness, it matches many of the previous encounters between these two sides. In the end, both will probably be happy with another day out.

However, the home side will know that despite having led for well over three quarters of the match they very nearly let it slip and had to rely on a late Martin Burke point to ensure the draw.

Billy o Shea, operated on the forty, opened the scoring with a fifth minute point for Rangers after being set-up by Johnnny Lynch.

Lynch, along with Shane O Sullivan, were by far the pick of the Rangers, and the midfielder had a hand in most of what was good about Rangers’ play on the night.

Gavin Wren, who shone for the home side, equalized before Derek  Twiss from a free and an excellent point from wing-back William Harmon put Milltown/Castlemaine 0-3 to 0-1 ahead after twelve minutes of play. Mike McGillicuddy, who partnered Johnny Lynch at midfield, added a Rangers point but then the home side punished Rangers as Gavin Wren, with three point, and Derek Twiss, with another, all frees, made it 0-7 to 0-3 heading towards the break.

With wind advantage, the leaders were hoping to stretch that lead before the chance around, but it was the Rangers, through Brian Gannon and Paul Griffin frees, who finished the half on the offensive to leave it 0-7 to 0-5 in favour of Milltown/Castlemaine at the interval.

On the resumption, Wren kicked what was surely the score of the match when he landed a massive point from far out on the stand side.

He then exchanged another with McGillicuddy and it stood 0-9 to 0-6 on the three quarter mark. It was noticeable at this stage that the Killorglin side were coming more and more into the game and, if it were not for the poor finishing, they would surely have been closer at this stage.

Joe Daly and Paudie McCarthy both executed brilliant catches on the edge of their own square before Rangers struck for the only goal of the game. And what a score it was!

Johnny Lynch caught the ball brilliantly on his own 21 metre and ploughed a furrow upfield leaving all in his wake. He then dispatched to inrushing wing-forward Gerry O’Brien and his strong effort gave Garry Murphy no chance in the Milltown/Castlemaine goal.

Great goal from Rangers’ point of view, poor one from the men in green. The goal brought the Rangers back to life and in truth it was no more than they had deserved as they had dominated the previous to fifteen minutes.

At 1-6 to 0-9, it was all to play for with just over ten minutes left to play and when Brian Gannon put Rangers ahead for the first time since the fifth minute of play, few would have banked against them crowned league championship.

But if Milltown/Castlemaine are known for anything it is their resilience and they refused to give in. Martin Burke equalized and after Rangers corner-forward Paul Griffin had been shown a red card for a foul on Alfie Giles, both sides went in search for a winner. Joe Daly saw his thundering shot effort rebound off the outside of the upright  while Rangers substitute Colin O Connor was short with his injury time ’45 and when referee Brian blew the final whistle both sides were still locked together. So they must do it all over again and whether both sides will compliment of players or not, from a spectators’ point of view, few will complain. On the night, Milltown/Castlemaine were best served by Alfie Giles, William Harmon, Paudie McCarthy and Johnny Giles in defence, with McCarthy keeping good control of his square.

At midfield, Joe Daly and Linus Burke had their moments but overall they played second fiddle to Lynch and McGillicuddy, while best in attack were Martin Burke, Jason Giles and Gavin Wren. Wren was really in sparkling form and ended up top scorer with six points.

For the Rangers, Adrain Hassett, Shane O’Sullivan and Eoin Ferris operated well in defence with O’Sullivan giving a great all round display. As stated Lynch and McGillicuddy were on top in the midfield sector while Billy O’Shea, Paul Griffin and Brian Gannon were the pick of their forward line.

Team:

Tony Lyons, Adrain Hassett, Eoin Ferris, Noel Lynch, Brendan Fitz, Paul Costello, Shane O Sullivan, Johnny Lynch, Mike McGillicuddy(2pts), Gerry O Brien(goal), Billy O Shea, James O Shea, Paul Griffin(1pt,F), Brian Gannon (3pts,-2f), Trevor Gannon

James O Shea and Brian Gannon in action

Mike MacGillicuddy going 100%

Killorglin Credit Union and Laune Rangers

A History to be Proud Of