Teams don’t always get what they deserve in football and that was very much the outcome in Clontarf on Wednesday as Ranelagh Gaels fell to Scoil Ui Chonaill in a pulsating Championship encounter.

The girls put in a superb display from start to finish and the score line at the full time whistle did not truly reflect the story of the game.
The hosts got off to a great start with an early brace of goals but the Gaels fought back with some wonderful points sailing over the bar with Edel, Kirstie, Maria and Laoise all raising a white flag.

An injury to goalkeeper Patricia saw Martina enter the fray midway through the first half. The full back line of Caoimhe, Claire and Mags began to get the better of their opponents and the visitors were in the ascendancy with Edel and Aoife were pulling the strings around the middle.

Another goal concession before half-time put the home side further ahead, 3-4 to 0-5; the Gaels’ hard work going unrewarded.

Denis Doolan on the sideline had to think on his feet but his tactical switches worked a treat as the girls stormed back. Kirstie was an integral part of the comeback, scoring two wonder-goals; her strong running from deep had the Scoil Ui Chonaill defence all at sea.

The half-back line of Mary, Lil and Kate set the tone for the comeback, breaking kick-outs, tackling hard and driving the ball into the opposition half of the field.

The forwards were motoring now with Fiona and Ger causing problems, with the latter adding a third Ranelagh goal and the watching crowd sensed it was to be the South-siders night.

Claire Larkin replaced her namesake Ms Reeves in the forward line as the Gaels pressed forward at every opportunity. They thought they had equalised with another great score but the referee called the play back for a free when clearly he could have played the advantage.

A scoring spree in stoppage time from the Clontarf side put a one-sided reflection on the final score, Scoil Ui Chonaill 7-8 Ranelagh Gaels 3-7.

The girls can be proud of their efforts though and with a bit of luck, a vital trait of any team, they could have come away with a famous win.
Another championship tie follows next Wednesday, and the Gaels will go into that full of confidence and they’ve every reason to.