Despite numerous league titles & near misses, Laune Rangers finally secured the Caroline Broderick Memorial Senior Cup defeating Southern Gaels in the Kerry Azzurri Sport Senior Championship final.
Played in difficult windy conditions in Kilcummin, they set the tempo of the game leading from start to finish. However no one could foresee even at half time what the second half would bring, as both sides were nip tuck in the first half however the omens were there. Laune Rangers through county star Patrice Dennehy who played a key role all day were first on the board with 2 points. Deirdre Corridan Southern Gaels finally got them on the board after eight minutes with a pointed free.
Scoring options were limited as both defences were on top & the strong breeze which was aiding the Laune side meant a lot of passes were over cooked or dropped short into keeper’s hands. Sarah Houlihan was first to test goal keepers reaction where the Southern Gaels keeper Meabh Daly was forced into a good save. Deirdre Corridan also forced the Rangers keeper into action; Ciara O’Connor a late tactical switch from full back to goals pulled off a great double save. Southern Gaels cut the Laune Rangers lead mid-way through the half to just 1 point with scores from Megan O’Connell, Leanne Curran & Linda Cronin. But Laune Rangers responded landing some strong scores through Patrice Dennehy, Sarah Houlihan & Bernie Breen. Half time Laune Rangers 0-9 Southern Gaels 0-6.
It was Southern Gaels who started the second half the brighter & with the wind aiding them a 3 point deficit didn’t seem much. Straight from the throw in which they won, they attacked the Rangers goal at speed but for some frantic defending from the Rangers they avoided giving away the first goal of the game. Instead it was Laune Rangers who had the first score a pointed free from Sarah Houlihan.
However the turning point in the game came in the 6th minute. Southern Gaels midfielders, who were working hard won breaking ball & quickly moved the ball into the full forward line. There was a goal mouth scrabble & the Southern Gaels player in possession went down. However the ref waved play on despite pleas for a penalty. Laune Rangers themselves attacked at speed & Sarah Houlihan finished to the back of the net. The Southern side were rattled & tried to work a goal opportunity themselves straight away but again they found the defence well up to the task. They worked a free quickly up field & Patrice Dennehy ended the move with the ball at the back of the net. It was now Laune Rangers 2-10 Southern Gaels 0-6.
The wind was up in the Laune Rangers sails & they kept attacking in waves. The southern side just couldn’t seem to hold them back anymore. Anne Marie O’Donoghue added another goal shortly after & Patrice & Sarah Houlihan tapped on some points. It was looking very ominous at this stage. Johanna O’Callaghan Laune Rangers added a fourth goal in very fortunate circumstances, she was attempting to point from distance, however due to the wind conditions the ball dropped in behind the keepers head.
It was now damage limitation for Southern Gaels. It took them 14 minutes of the second half to land a score, a point through Leanne Curran. Shortly after Patrice struck for another goal – leaving the score at 5-14 to 0-7 with still 5 minutes left on the clock. However Southern Gaels did add the last two scores of the game. Final Sore Laune Rangers 5-15 Southern Gaels 0-9. Sarah Jane Joy received the cup from Chairperson Pat Hartnett – a great honour as it was the first senior title in the club.
They now go forward to compete in the Munster Club championship – opposition unknown at this stage.
Scorers: Southern Gaels: L Curran 0-3, D Corridan 0-2, M O’Connell, C Kelly, C Quinlan, L Cronin 0-1 each. Laune Rangers: P Dennehy 2-06, S Houlihan 1-08, A.M O’Donoghue, J, O’Callaghan 1-0 each, B. Breen 0-1.
