Laune Rangers 2-10 Fossa 2-8

Laune Rangers picked up their first home win of the Co. League season on Sunday afternoon, as they defeated Fossa in the sunshine at JP O'Sullivan Park.  Laune Rangers were without Shane McSweeney and Patrick Carey, as well as Neil O’Brien, Pierce Tyther and Daniel Macbeth on the day, while Fossa had to make do without the injured Paudie Clifford, among others.  Meanwhile, the Fossa manager was returning to familiar territory as John Evans led his troops out on to the field where he saw so much success with his home club throughout the 1990s.  Fossa started much better than their hosts and opened the scoring with a point from Domnhaill O’Sullivan (free) and Fintan Coffey – the latter with a good score from distance.  However, Rangers got going and, after Connor Clarke had pointed well, the home side were first to hit the net as David Costelloe finishing excellently, following an excellent initial pass from John Tyther.  Connor Clarke’s second point point was sandwiched between a brace from Domnhaill O’Sullivan (1 free) to leave Rangers leading by 1-2 to 0-4 with 15 minutes played.  Rangers second goal came in the 18th minute, as a great run by David Costelloe saw the forward through on goal before he was hauled to the ground inside the square for a penalty.  John Tyther made no mistake from the spot kick and placed the ball to the top corner.  Fossa responded well though, and had a goal of their own five minutes later, as Tadgh O’Shea punched a high ball to the net from close range.  Fossa added a further point in the latter stages, but points from Jack O’Connor, Connor Clarke and David Costelloe left a goal between the sides at the break. Half Time Score Laune Rangers 2-05 Fossa 1-05.

The sides were level in the 35th minute, as the first score of the second half was a Fossa goal – Tadgh O’Shea punching the ball to the net for the second time, after a pass across the small square.  Connor Clarke pointed his fourth of the day as his shot from an almost impossible angle snuck over the crossbar, but Domnhaill O’Sullivan soon tied up the scores again. Points were traded between Rangers’ Eamonn Carey & Fossa’s Tadgh O’Shea (free) and with 15 minutes to play, the sides were level at 2-7 apiece.  An excellent point from long range by Shane Daly for Rangers was soon cancelled out by Fossa captain Mark Dennehy, as both sides missed chances to take control of the game.  Colm O’Shea pointed a free to edge Rangers ahead following a defensive mix-up at the Fossa rear guard and after a tense final few minutes, Mike Frank Russell kicked the insurance score with an excellent point from 40 yards out deep in injury time.  Full Time Score:- Laune Rangers 2-10, Fossa 2-8.

Laune Rangers:- Tony Lyons, Ronan Sayers, Johnny Carey, Aidan Cox, John Tyther (1-0), Kieran Crowley, Michael O’Sullivan, Shane Daly (0-1), John Sheehan, Michael F Russell (0-1), Jack O’Connor (0-1), Colm O’Shea (0-1), David Costelloe (1-1), Connor Clarke (0-4), Eamonn Carey (0-1). Subs: Padraig Murphy, Cian O’Shea.

Fossa:- Colin Myers, Kevin McCarthy, Paddy Sheehan, Anthony Wharton, Daniel O’Sullivan, Daniel O’Keeffe, Mark Dennehy (0-1), Fintan Coffey (0-1), Mark Rennie, Colin Davidson, Lorcan Daly, Derry O’Sullivan, Tadgh O’Shea (2-1), Mikey O’Shea, Domnhaill O’Sullivan (0-5). Sub: Michael O’Keeffe