O Sullivan Cup Final 2006

Cromane 4-09 Laune Rangers 1-11

Cromane were victorious in the final of the Mid Kerry O’Sullivan cup played in Glenbeigh on Saturday November 11th. Cromane playing with the aid of the wind were first to score 2 points from frees by Gary McGrath and Sean O’Sullivan. Laune Rangers drew level with a point from midfielder Tim Regan and a point from a 25m free from Pa O’Sullivan. Laune Rangers then took a 3 point lead when they scored the first goal of the game when a long ball by Tim Regan went all the way to the Cromane net. But Cromane seemed to step up a gear and completely dominated the remainder of the half scoring 3 goals and 3 points with reply from Laune Rangers.

Cromane had their 3rd point from play from Sean O’Sullivan and Gary McGrath struck for his first goal after he fielded a great ball from Donnchadh Walsh. Then came the move of the game for Cromane when Donnchadh Walsh fielded a great ball at midfield soloed through the Laune Rangers defence and passed to his brother Sean Walsh to score Cromane’s 2nd goal.
Cromane were playing champagne football at this stage and were completely in control at this stage. Cromane struck for their 3rd goal after a quick free from Sean O’Sullivan to Gary McGrath and McGrath made no mistake in scoring his 2nd goal. Just before the break Donnchadh Walsh again cut through the Laune Rangers defence and found Gary McGrath loose who finished with a point. The half time score was Cromane 3-4 Laune Rangers 1-2.

In the 2nd half Laune Rangers with the aid of the freshening breeze dominated for long periods and at one stage reduced the lead to 4 points which was as close as they got. Laune Rangers were first to score a point from Tim Regan. Gary McGrath responded with a point from a 45m free into the wind for Cromane. Then Laune Rangers kicked 4 points all coming from the boot of Pa O’Sullivan 2 from free’s and 2 from play. Cromane the had a point from another long range free by Gary McGrath.

McGrath at this stage had moved from his full forward birth to midfield with Paudie McCarthy replacing him at full forward. McCarthy added to the score with a point from play. Pa O’Sullivan had 2 points for Laune Rangers 1 from a free and 1 from play. Then Cromane put the issue beyond doubt when a Gary McGrath free was punched to the Laune Rangers net by Paul P.O’ Sullivan which was followed up by 2 points both from play by Donnchadh Walsh and Cian O’ Keffee. It was Laune Rangers to close the scoring with 2 points again from Pa O’Sullivan 1 from play and 1 from a 14m free. Final score was Cromane 4-9 Laune Rangers 1-11.

The O’Sullivan Cup Competition was sponsored by Peadar’s Bar Glenbeigh. At the end of the game Peadar presented the Cup to Cromane captain James Foley he also presented the man of the match award which went to Cromane’s Donnchadh Walsh.

Connie Riordan, James Foley, Noel Foley, Peter Reilly, John O’Sullivan, Colm Joy, Michael Teahan, Donnchadh Walsh, Paudie McCarthy, John Paul McCarthy, Sean O’Sullivan, Francis Casey, David Moroney, Gary McGrath, Sean Walsh,. Subs: Paul P.O’Sullivan for David Moroney, Cian O’Keffee for Francis Casey, Damien Quigg for Paul P.O’Sullivan, Sean Reilly for Sean Walsh.