Round 3 of the Bon Secour Junior A Championship between Spa and Laune Rangers took place in Spa, Killarney this Sunday morning on a thankfully dry day. The wind however was a factor with a strong breeze blowing down the length of the pitch and with Laune Rangers winning the toss they chose to play into it. Maireád Bennett for Spa won the throw in and immediately went on the attack only to put it wide, this was followed closely by two more attacks by Spa within the next few minutes again to only go wide. Laune Rangers also had a couple of wides. Spa eventually found the post with an opening point from Mags Cronin in the 8th minute and Laune Rangers answered with some fine points from Ciara O’Brien and a free from Sarah O’Brien. The Spa goalie, Lynn Jones, took full advantage of the breeze and was able to put great distance on her kick outs which gave great ball into the Spa forwards and Saoirse Kelly was outstanding there, scoring 3 goals and one point from a free in the first half. There was wides on both sides in the first half, 8 from Spa and 4 wides from Laune Rangers. The half time score was 3-03 - 0-02 to Spa.
Laune Rangers now had the wind at their backs in the second half  and they took full advantage of it and started the stronger of the two. Ailbhe Clifford opened the second half with a lovely free two minutes in. Laune Rangers continued to attacked. Fodhla Houlihan having a very good game in the forwards for Laune Rangers along with Nicola Moriarty and they were able to score 4 points while keeping Spa scoreless until the 40th minute. For the next 5 minutes Spa seem to have a purple patch and added 3 more points to their tally and this seemed to rattle Laune Rangers with little. Spa’s defence was incredibly strong and their team work rate was immense, tackling relentlessly and turning over a lot of ball which really knocked the wind out of Laune Rangers attacks. Ciara O’Brien really stood out for Laune Rangers but really Spa were just too strong with Maireád Bennett controlling mid field and the Spa backs working incredibly hard and their forwards on song. Over all it was an incredible game of football played in great sporting spirit. The final score was 3-08 to 0-09 to Spa.
Spa will now have home advantage when they meet ISG in the quarter final on Sunday 14th at 12 noon, Laune Rangers will travel to Fossa at the same time.