ALL-IRELAND club champions Laune Rangers retained their Kerry SF title by virtue of a one-point victory over West Kerry at Tralee's Austin Stack Park yesterday. This was the Killorglin club's third title in four years, and although only the bare minimum separated the sides, it was a richly deserved victory.

In a tit-for-tat opening quarter, West Kerry, with wind advantage, established an 0-3 to 0-2 lead. However, Laune dominated the remainder of the half, keeping the West Kerry Gerry attack scoreless.

The Laune half-back line of John Sheehan, Shane O'Sullivan and, in particular, centre half-back Michael Hassett dominated, while Tommy Byrne was getting the edge over Dara O Se at midfield. Up front Billy O'Shea and Michael Francis Russell were constant thorns in the West Kerry defence. Russell shot three points during this period.

In the 24th minute, Laune took full advantage of their dominance when Michael Hassett burst through the West Kerry defence before releasing Billy O'Shea to shoot low to the corner of the net. It contributed to a handsome 1-5 to 0-3 half-time lead.

Whatever was said in the West Kerry dressing-room at half-time certainly had the desired effect.

They had the ideal start when Dara O Cinneide had the ball in the net inside 30 seconds. A minute later Brendan Hanafin slotted the ball over the bar and suddenly there was only a point between the teams. Liam Hassett and Sean Geaney traded points before a Russell free increased the lead to two points.

Just approaching the end of the third quarter, MF Russell and Gerard Murphy combined to put Michael Hassett through for Laune's second goal. Amazingly Laune Rangers failed to score again, and with the three O'Se brothers, Fergal, Tomas and Dara, prominent, West Kerry gradually chipped away at the lead.

Two pointed frees from O Cinneide and further points through Sean Geaney and JJ Corduff left the bare minimum between the sides with four minutes remaining. However, Laune Rangers finished stronger and kept their challengers at bay.