Ranelagh Gaels 1-06 Ballyboden St Enda’s 1-15

A poor showing from the Gaels in Bushy Park saw them end up being comprehensively beaten by a hungrier, more committed Ballyboden team. The Gaels can have little or no complaints about the result and will have to work harder and match the efforts of teams like St Enda’s if they are to continue at the top of AFL 9.

The first half was an even affair and neither side seemed able to gain an advantage in a tight, scrappy opening. All too often Ranelagh ran into cul de sacs and failed to capitalize on what limited quality ball they had. Johnny Conlon struck one excellent point from play and a few frees but even the normally dependable Conlon missed several frees which he would usually have converted.

Others seemed afraid to shoot and on several occasions failed to make the distance with the ball falling into the unchallenged keeper’s waiting arms. Even the arrival of the Gael’s goal from Tiernan failed to bring them to life. And the Gaels knew that better was needed as they headed in at half time one point to the good. Half Time: Ranelagh 1.03 Ballyboden 0.05

If the first half was bad then the second was truly forgettable from a Ranelagh point of view. Ballyboden came straight out of the blocks and took little time in establishing a lead which they would not surrender. Ranelagh found themselves pinned into their own half and unable to escape with any kind of regularity.

Although the Gael’s defence worked hard to try and halt the ‘Boden attacks the inability to cross the half forward line meant that a comeback never really looked likely. Further blows were dealt with an injury to Alan Toolan in mid-field and then the unfortunate sending off of his mid-field partner. It was only a matter of time before the Gaels defence was breached for a major and this duly came with about ten minutes to go.

The Gaels manager Liam O’Hagan described this as the team’s worst performance of the year to date and he will be working hard to eradicate the simple handling errors and stupid mistakes which were all too obvious, however it is a total change in attitude and approach which the Gael’s will need if they are to continue at the right end of the table.

The Gaels have a chance to quickly put the show back on the road this Thursday when they face the tricky trip to the phoenix park to play Park Rangers, a game which now has grown in importance following Sunday’s malaise.