Ranelagh Gaels 2-9
St Mark’s 1-11

RANELAGH Gaels got out of jail to take both league points against St Mark’s at Bushy Park on Tuesday night.

The home team were lucky to still be in the game at half-time and having equalised near the end Ranelagh fell behind again.

But a late goal from Johnny Conlon, his second of the day, and a couple of last ditch points secured a vital AFL Division 8 victory which keeps the Gaels in the promotion hunt.

Now attention can turn to Friday evening’s cross-town trip to St Anne’s Park to take on high-flying Clontarf, who knocked the Gaels out of the Dublin Junior C Championship already this year.

Mark’s flew out of the traps and quickly got a grip on this game in the middle third of the field. They moved the ball at speed with excellent running off the ball.

This gave them a tremendous attacking platform, but wayward shooting meant that they only led by 1-5 to 0-4 at the break.

Ranelagh were better for spells in the second half and a converted penalty from Johnny dragged them back into the game.

The visitors moved quickly back into a three-point lead, but huge credit has to go to the Gaels for the way they stuck to the task and never gave the game up as a lost cause.

The fullback line of Martin, James and particularly Denis Doolin had a strong second half, as did Denis Crehan who moved to centre back when Joe went off injured.

The forwards did well with at times extremely limited possession to keep the scoreboard ticking over.

A better performance will be required against ‘Tarf on Friday (throw-in 7.45), but spirits are high following a lucky escape.