Laune Rangers 0-10, Gneeveguilla 0-10

Nothing could separate the sides on Saturday evening as Laune Rangers and Gneeveguilla finished level in their County Senior Football League tie in JP O’Sullivan Park, Killorglin. These clubs have gotten to know each other very well in recent memory, as they have clashed in Divisions One, Two and Three of the County League in the past few years.  Laune Rangers had the benefit of the breeze in the first half, and scored with their first possession of the game as Connor Clarke pointed. Gneeveguilla held Rangers out for much of the opening half, and the sides were level at 0-3 each with 15 minutes played – Padraig Doyle, Jamie Brosnan and Padraig O’Sullivan (free) scoring for the visitors with Colm O’Shea (free) and Shane McSweeney pointing Rangers.  Points from play were hard to come by in the second part of the half with both defences applying pressure.  Padraig O’Sullivan and Colm O’Shea (2) traded frees before a late surge by Rangers saw Patrick Carey drive forward twice from wing back to score a brace of points to put Rangers ahead by three at the break. Half Time Score:- Laune Rangers 0-7, Gneeveguilla 0-4. 

An early Padraig Doyle point for the visitors was cancelled out by a third for Patrick Carey.  Gneeveguilla were much stronger in the third quarter though, and were level at 0-8 a piece by the 49th minute with points from Padraig O’Sullivan (free), Ciarán O’Connor and Michael Brosnan.Mike Frank Russell made up for an earlier missed free by slotting another to edge Rangers ahead, and Connor Clarke doubled the advantage for the hosts. Gneeveguilla kept their nerve though, and sustained pressure led to a couple of late frees. Padraig O’Sullivan made no mistake to notch his 4th and 5th points from placed ball level the game for his side and, as Rangers twice spurned chances to win the game, the final whistle was blown to see the game end level. Full Time Score:- Laune Rangers 0-10, Gneeveguilla 0-10.

Best for Rangers on the evening was Patrick Carey, who showed poise beyond his years to put in a big showing with three points from wing back.

For Gneeveguilla, Mike ‘Stones’ Murphy was at the centre of all good play for his side, while sub Ciarán O’Connor made a difference when he came on, and Padraig Doyle was dangerous on the ball.The result sees Gneeveguilla move off the floor of the table with an extra game played. Laune Rangers move on to 4 points from as many games and stay at mid-table. Round 5 of the League takes place next weekend with Laune Rangers making the trip to Brosna, while Gneeveguilla host St Michael’s/Foilmore in a game that have major implications to both sides’ Championship status by the end of the year.

Laune Rangers:- Tony Lyons, Neil O’Brien, Johnny Carey, Pierce Tyther, Aidan Cox, Ronan Sayers, Patrick Carey (0-3), Shane McSweeney (0-1), John Sheehan, Jack O’Connor, Colm O’Shea (capt) (0-3), John Tyther, David Costelloe, Connor Clarke (0-2), Michael F Russell (0-1). Subs: Shane Daly, Daniel Macbeth.

Gneeveguilla: Pa O’Riordan, Darren Brosnan, John Sheehan, Connie O’Connor, Philip Cremin, DJ Murphy, Kevin Coughlan, Don Murphy, Padraig O’Connor (capt), Fergus McAuliffe, Michael ‘Stones’ Murphy, Jamie Brosnan (0-1), Padraig Doyle (0-2), Padraig O’Sullivan (0-5), Michael Brosnan (0-1). Sub: Ciarán O’Connor (0-1).