RANELAGH Gaels’ weekend-long La na gClub celebrations were a rip-roaring success.

The centrepiece of the festivities was an inter-provincial seven-a-side tournament at Bushy Park.

In all 37 footballers – made up of club members and a few friends who were welcome inclusions on the day – togged out for the four games.

Connacht beat Ulster in the second semi-final and then went on to take the title with a well-earned win over Munster in the final.

Team GB stole the third-fourth play play-off with Leinster in controversial circumstances, scoring a contentious late goal and surviving a last minute penalty scare.

However, the standard of football as well as the level of officiating rose as the tournament progressed.

The victorious Connacht team featured Gaels regulars such as captain Brian Regan, Alan Toolan, Enda Marren, Ian Naughton, Alan Kelly, Eamonn Courtney and Denis Crehan as well as a few guest stars.

The men from the West won without Ranelagh 2009 Player of the Year and Sligo man Johnny Conlon.

He lined out for a depleted Ulster side that also called on the services of ladies manager Ronan Murphy, whose mis-hit shot against Leinster found the back of the net and helped to kick-start their revival.

Munster looked good in their semi-final, but a lack of numbers counted against them in the decider as legs tired following 40 minutes of gruelling sevens football on a beautiful evening.

This is the first time that Ranelagh has run such a tournament and with a club day now a permanent part of the GAA calendar it is hoped that this will become an annual event.

The celebrations then continued in Smyth’s later that night, with a great turn out of players – both men and ladies – officials and club members.

On Sunday morning the Gaels were well represented around the village as part of a drive to raise awareness of the club in the area.

A special banner and flags were put up in the Triangle while hundreds of fliers and reusable cotton bags emblazoned with the club crest were given out to the locals.

The club extends hearty thanks to everyone who helped to organise all of the weekend’s activities and those who contributed to making La na gClub 2010 such a success.