Following the ravages of The Great Famine, a renewed Nationalistic fervor swept through Ireland towards the end of the 19th century. In order to compliment the work of politicians in the pursuit of Home Rule, organisations such as the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) in 1884 and the Gaelic League in 1893 were founded, the former to preserve the Irish games, and the latter to preserve the native tongue.
Prompted by accounts of Gaelic Games in the National newspapers, and in response to urgings in the local newspaper, some young men in Killorglin organized a meeting at the door of Séamus Coffey’s pub in the summer of 1887, and formed a branch of the GAA. At the time, there was a vibrant Rugby Club in the town. Following negotiations, the players gave their allegiance to the newly formed Gaelic games, and the Laune Rangers GAA Club was formed in Autumn of 1888.
At that time, three teachers were appointed to the National Schools in the parish – men who had helped Erin’s Hopes to win the Dublin Senior Football Championship in 1887. Under the guidance of those men, Laune Rangers won the Kerry Co. Senior Football Championship in 1889, 1890, 1892 and 1893. Laune Rangers were the first team to represent Kerry in the All-Ireland Senior Football final (1892), and, even though beaten, they blazed the trail for many successful Kerry teams since.