In a week of controversy in the GAA, the referee was again centre of attention in last night’s AFL 8 clash between Ranelagh Gaels and Stars of Erin.

The difficult conditions at a rain-sodden Bushy Park made for a hugely physical encounter and the man in the middle was intent on flashing his cards.

Martin was shown an early red after an altercation with the Erin full forward – it takes two to tango though and there was surprise to see only a yellow given for his part in the fracas.

The home side kept their focus and stuck to their task well however with Ian driving his half-back line forward. It took a great penalty save from the Stars of Erin net-minder to keep the Gaels at bay but that wouldnt last long.

Johnny Conlon didn’t take long to forget about his penalty, putting over some outstanding points, both from play and the dead ball.

Conor and Barry were shipping some hefty knocks around the middle and the tackles were certainly bordering on the illegal.

 The sides were deadlocked at 0-6 apiece at the break, all to play for in the second half.

The Gaels lifted their efforts again and scored 1-2 without reply to put them in a commanding position entering the final quarter.

 The place kicking of the opposition’s dead ball specialist clawed them back into the game and they drew level with three minutes left on the clock.

Ian, Jer and Joe were all the subject of some cynical hits late on; the referee somehow kept in his card in his pocket after the latter was flattened by an elbow charge.

To rub salt into Ranelagh wounds, the away side snatched a goal late on to claim victory on a 1-9 to 1-12 scoreline.

The fourteen men had shown immense courage and heart throughout and didn’t deserve to finish empty handed. They don’t have much time to dwell on it, with a fixture at Ballinteer on this Sunday. Two points are a must.