Rathmore have aces in Russell and Foley
They gained an important psychological advantage at Austin Stack Park with a goal from man-of-the-match Seamie Foley just before the half-time whistle and, when Mike Frank Russell produced a second stunning goal in the 43rd minute, Rathmore's hopes disappeared.
Foley, named at midfield but operating mainly at full-forward, was one of a number of Laune Rangers players to make a significant contribution to this impressive victory.
Russell, not surprisingly, was another, except that it took him a little time in the first half to make an impact.
The opening period was notable for the fact that it was Rathmore who made the running, combining more effectively and taking encouragement from two points inside the opening five minutes from Michael Kelliher and Damien Casey.
Laune Rangers were slower to settle, indicated by the fact that they trailed for the greater part of the half, and they didn't make progress until John Sheehan at centre-back and Liam Hassett at midfield began to win ball.
They also started to promise more up front, with Billy O'Shea to the fore in the centre and Seamie Foley linking well with Pa O'Sullivan in the full-forward line to create some good openings.
Conal Kelly should have had the ball in the net in the 11th minute when he ran in to take a pass from O'Sullivan, but having first lost possession, he kicked to the right of the post after regaining it.
With Russell now beginning to contribute, the Killorglin side created a second goal opportunity in the 18th minute when Kelly attempted to pick out the unmarked O'Shea at the edge of the square. However, the chance was lost when big midfielder John Buckley intercepted.
Five minutes later they were in front for the first time, through Russell's industry and good finishing.
After a Michael O'Riordan free had Rathmore level in the 26th minute, Laune Rangers finished the half strongly. Firstly, Foley pointed and then in injury time goaled with a powerful shot to the roof of the net. It had them 1-5 to 0-4 ahead at the break.
The deficit was halved in a matter of four minutes, but for the East Kerry side it was a case of flattering to deceive. Tom O'Sullivan continued to struggle at full-back - with Foley at times alternating with the clever Pa O'Sullivan - and it was no surprise to see him switch places with the more consistent Aidan O'Mahony. However, that didn't happen until 10 minutes into the second half.
Shortly afterwards Russell had the ball in the net for Laune Rangers, cutting inside defender Kieran Cahill and giving goalkeeper Jameson Hughes no chance with a well-directed low shot and it ended the game as a contest, giving them a seven-point cushion and a significant advantage in key areas of the field.
Nearing the end a minor flare-up saw a number of players get involved. But with the referee consulting both linesmen, he merely issued a yellow card to Laune full-back Eoin Ferris.
Rathmore went 20 minutes before they got their next score and while they fought gamely to the finish, they were simply outclassed in the last quarter.
: Laune Rangers: MF Russell 1-4 (0-1 free); S Foley 1-4; P O'Sullivan 0-2; J Sheehan 0-1. Rathmore: M Kelliher 0-4 (0-2 frees); J Murphy 0-2; M O'Riordan 0-2 frees; Damien Casey 0-1.
: T Lyons; C Falvey, E Ferris, T Houlihan; P Costello, J Sheehan, N Lynch; J Lynch, L Hassett; B Gannon (capt.), B O'Shea, C Kelly; P O'Sullivan, S Foley, M.F Russell. Subs: P Sheehan for P O'Sullivan (56th minute); M Foley for Kelly (59); G O'Mahony for Gannon (61).
: J Hughes; K Cahill, T O'Sullivan, D O'Sullivan; J O'Sullivan, A O'Mahony, E Doherty; T Cronin (capt.), J Buckley; M Riordan, D O'Sullivan, S O'Neill; MA Kelleher, D Casey, J Murphy. Subs: MD Cahill for D O'Sullivan (second half); I Kelleher for Doherty (42nd minute); P McCarthy for O'Riordan (50th); B Nagle for O'Neill (52nd); Donal Casey for Damien Casey (59th)
: T McCarthy (Desmonds).
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