Russell rolls back years to inspire Rangers

FORMER Kerry football star Mike Frank Russell kicked nine points as Laune Rangers booked their place in the third round of the Kerry SFC on Saturday evening.

In a game where only 10 of the 27 scores came from play, Russell finished with 0-9 (0-8 from frees) as Rangers ended Kenmare district’s interest in the championship in what was, in truth, a game that lacked any intensity.

Leading 0-8 to 0-6 at half-time in Killorglin, Rangers embarked on a scoring spree early in the second-half to open up a six-point advantage (0-13 to 0-7), and Kenmare, without main scoring threat Paul O’Connor, were playing catch-up after that.

A strong finish to the game from former Kerry minor Mike Tim O’Sullivan helped Kenmare narrow the gap to three and that must have prompted memories of Rangers’ late collapse to East Kerry in the first round just a week previously when they lost a three-point lead down the final stretch.

But a Kenmare goal never looked on the cards and their interest in the Kerry SFC is over for another season.

Kenmare were also made rue a poor start as Rangers raced 0-6 to 0-1 ahead by the midway point of the first-half, with Russell slotting over five frees while Shane McSweeney added the Killorglin club’s sixth score after a Russell assist. Kenmare’s sole reply was a third minute DJ Brennan free that had levelled the game momentarily.

The free-taking theme continued when Brennan and Mike Tim O’Sullivan (two) added frees to narrow the deficit to just two, 0-6 to 0-4, but this losers’ round game hardly rose above mediocre.

After Russell landed his sixth free of the half, Shane McSweeney doubled his tally with a fine effort but two late Kenmare scores — a Cian Hallissey pile-driver and a long-range belter from his brother, wing back Micheal Hallissey — left just two points between the teams at half-time, 0-8 to 0-6.

An early Mike Tim O’Sullivan free brought Kenmare to within a single point but five points on the trot, kicked off by man of the match Seamie Foley, and followed by a brace apiece from Kieran Doona and Russell, pushed Rangers 0-13 to 0-7 ahead after 10 minutes of the second-half.

Try as Kenmare might, they fell short late on, and even when they had a glimpse of goal, Tadhg Morley was fouled by wing back Peter Crowley just outside the square. Mike Tim O’Sullivan’s resulting free made it a four-point game, 0-15 to 0-11, with seven minutes left, though it could have been even closer had Morley broken free of Crowley.

As it was, Rangers held on to advance but they need serious improvement to be involved at the business end of the competition.

Scorers for Laune Rangers: M F Russell 0-9 (8fs), K Doona, S McSweeney, S Foley 0-2 each.

Scorers for Kenmare: MT O’Sullivan 0-7fs, DJ Brennan 0-2fs, M Hallissey, S O’Leary, C Hallissey 0-1 each.

LAUNE RANGERS: T Lyons; C Johnston, J Carey, K Crowley; P Sheehan, J Sheehan, P Crowley; M Foley, T McGillycuddy; G O’Mahony, K Doona, S McSweeney; C O’Dwyer, S Foley, MF Russell.

Subs: S O’Connor for G O’Mahony (54), K Flynn for C O’Dwyer (55), J O’Callaghan for K Doona (59).

KENMARE: S O’Sullivan; A O’Callaghan, S Cremin, D Crowley; M Hallissey, C Brosnan, S O’Leary; M Randles, F O’Sullivan; T Morley, DJ Brennan, S Sheehan; A O’Leary, C Hallissey, M T O’Sullivan.

Subs: P O’Shea for S Sheehan (45). P Palmer for T Morley (54).

Referee: H Bartlett (Dr Crokes).