Goals win games but tonight’s game could be better described as turnovers win games as we lost out to Laune Rangers by a six point margin, 2-11 to 1-08 in Strand Road in our opening league game.

Laune Rangers, with the stiff breeze to their backs had the opening score on 3 mins when Fiachra Clifford pointed from play but it was the next score that epitomised the first half pattern when we lost possession in our own half of the pitch, resulting in a last ditch leg block bringing a penalty which was duly dispatched to the net by John Tyther.

Chucky, operating at wing forward had our first point of the half from a free, which was negated immediately by a Fiachra Clifford dead ball point before Barry John again from a free brought the margin back to 3 points.

Eoin Clifford, outstanding all through, then set in motion a move from defence and was on the receiving end of a pass some 30 metres from goal before pointing from play.

We were a further two points down as the clock ticked into the red but again, under pressure we conceded possession resulting in Daire Cleary racing clear to find the net, bringing a half time deficit of 8 points, 2-05 to 0-03. Our third point again came from Chucky who pointed well from a “45” into the wind.

Conor Hayes and Gazza entered the fray for the second half and though we enjoyed a bit more possession around the middle through Tom Hoare and Jake Foley, we continued to struggle for scores and indeed it was the boys from the Laune who garnered the first score of the 2nd half.

We continued to chase the game but a 10th minute black card for Chucky added to our woes and the Killorglin boys saw the game out comfortably despite us scoring 1-01 in added time, the goal from a Chucky penalty following a foul on Ross O’Callaghan.

Tonight was a steep learning curve for many of our players with many experiencing division 1 football for the first time; Laune Rangers were more cohesive, more conservative in possession and will be very happy with their opening outing.

We next play Kilcummin away next weekend.

Team: Rob O’Connor, Darragh McElligott, Donagh Buckley, Seán Collins, Stephen Nix, Ross O’Callaghan, TJ Heaphy, Tom Hoare, Jake Foley, Chucky, BJ Keane, Shane McElligott, Conor O’Sullivan, Sam McCarthy, Gearoid Dillane.

Subs used: Conor Hayes, Gazza, Padraig Griffin & Daniel Bowler.

The game was preceded by the launch of our new PA system and a beautiful rendition of Amhrán na bhFiann by our under 14 ladies player Sennait Foster.