RANELAGH Gaels’ brilliant run in the Junior C Championship came to an end at the semi-final stage on Sunday.

Having beaten teams ranked far higher than them in earlier rounds, most notably Naomh Fionnbarra in the quarter-finals, the Gaels finally came undone against an excellent Parnells side in Balgriffin.

Ranelagh came back from the dead to lead at the three-quarter hour mark, but ‘Nells showed real class and composure to pull away to a deserved five-point victory.

Liam O’Hagan’s side struggled to get their hands on the ball around the middle of the field, with their opponents winning clean possession from kick-outs and they were very snappy onto the breaks throughout.

This saw Parnells leading 1-4 to 0-1 coming towards half-time, but Ranelagh have shown incredible heart all year.

They displayed their courage again with two points before the break cutting the deficit and then two goals following the restart cracked this game wide open.

Enda Marren got the first and then Paidi Sugrue fisted home from a Gearoid O’Flynn prompt to put the Gaels one up, 2-3 to 1-5.

But this is when Parnells came into their own and they pushed their way back in front. The Gaels had a few more chances before the end, but the best team certainly won.

It has been another season of progress for Ranelagh Gaels on the field.

The second team made it to the second round of the Junior D Championship, the firsts were in the C semi-final and only just missed out on promotion from Division 8.

And there is still a chance to get some silverware before the end of the year with a Murphy Cup final against Ballinteer St John’s to come.

That game has yet to be fixed, but is expected in the next few weeks – so keep an eye on the website for updates.

Ranelagh Gaels 2-5
Naomh Fionbarra 0-9

Ranelagh Gaels battled their way to the semi-finals of the Junior C Championship with a brilliant away win against Naomh Fionnbarra on Sunday.

Playing against the Division 7 Champions on their home patch in a do-or-die quarter-final, the Gaels showed tremendous intensity to beat higher ranked opposition.

The ’Barrs are never easy to beat in Pope John Paul II Park, or the Bogies as it’s known locally.

But that’s exactly what Ranelagh did with a 60 minute display of real focus and intent. The mood was set from the moment the visitors set foot on the pitch and the players followed manager Liam O’Hagan’s instructions to the letter.

Finbarr’s had the better of the opening exchanges and they moved into a 0-3 to 0-1 lead on a slippery day, though their pitch was in great condition given all the rain that had fallen in the previous 48 hours.

One of the main reasons there was only two points in it at this stage was because of the pressure Ranelagh men were putting on their opponents.

The Cabra men hit several first-half wides, but they were all forced into taking tough options by brilliant defending, which started at the other end of the field with the full-forward line.

The midfield of Brian Regan and Alan Toolan, two men not long back from their respective honeymoons but still showing plenty of running, made sure they got a hand on every kick-out while the half-backs and half-forwards were snappy on the breaking balls.

Man of the Match Tom Cusack, who played the pivotal centre-back position, was just one of the men who repeatedly emerged from groups of players with invaluable possession.

With this work-rate it was inevitable that the Gaels were going to enjoy a good spell and this came either side of half-time.

Johnny Conlon coolly slotted home a penalty not long before the break after Barry O’Brien was fouled in the square.

This left the scores 1-2 to 0-3 at the interval and things got even better just after the restart when Paudie Sugrue hit the second goal to put six between the teams.

From here Fionnbarra started to chase the game hard and in middle ten minutes of the second half they really turned the screw, getting four unanswered points to cut the deficit to just two.

It was real backs-to-the-wall stuff for the Gaels at this stage, but once again the defence was superb.

The full-back line of James, Martin and Denis C put their bodies on the line to make sure that no goal chances were given up, while goalkeeper Conor Fingleton controlled his area well.

Ranelagh got a couple of late scores on the break to keep their noses in front, but it still came down to a few crazy scrambles in the box.

Unsurprisingly, the ’Barrs threw everything they had at it and lobbed a series of high, dangerous balls into the area, only to see them all sent straight back out again.

Liam headed off on his golfing holiday to Spain a happy man, though he’s leaving behind a squad of players focused on two weeks of hard work before the semi-final.

Some Interviews during today’s game. Click on the play button to listen.

Manager Liam talks after the game.
Captain Brian Regan.
 

Ranelagh Gaels 1-15
St Sylvester’s 1-12

By Gordon Manning

RANELAGH GAELS’ reputation as ET specialists continued on Thursday night – but the star of the show was Duracell Bunny Barry O’Brien.

Once more the Gaels had to phone home – Smyths – to say they’d be late after O’Brien’s clinically struck injury-time goal forced extra-time against St Sylvester’s in Malahide, 1-11 apiece.

Having clawed back a seven-point second half deficit, the Gaels had all the momentum going into extra-time and dominated to chalk up a second Dublin Junior C Championship win.

Their first win was also after extra-time while the Junior D team went to extra-time against Robert Emmets as well.

Fittingly, Thursday’s victory was achieved in coastal Dublin, because this game was essentially won on the dark winter nights training on Sandymount beach.

Those thankless, wet evenings jogging through the teeth of cutting winds whistling in from the Irish Sea paid off in Malahide where Ranelagh’s superior fitness carried them over the line.

O’Brien’s injury-time goal was the jewel in his sparkling performance – but more than anything this was a victory for team spirit and battling qualities.

The full-back line was solid, Ian Naughton and Fitz got through a huge amount of work at wing-back while Gearoid O’Flynn put in a lung-bursting display all over the field.

With Tom Cusack cleaning up on breaking ball in the first half and Brian Regan and Donie getting their hands on a lot more, the Gaels had most of the early possession.

But they struggled to turn their dominance into scores and a fortuitous goal, after a good initial save by Ronan Rasdale, saw the home side lead by two at the break.

Sylvesters controlled the first ten minutes after the restart – cleverly bringing their big full-forward out around the middle third where they got on top.

Ranelagh were penned into their own end of the pitch during this period and struggled to counter the home side’s tactic.

Sylvester’s started to tire though and Ranelagh began working the ball into their attack again where Johnny Conlon and DOC were threatening.

With three minutes left, and three points between the sides, Conlon opted to try work a goal from a short range free.

But Sylvester’s, who had been reduced to 14 men by that stage, held tight and it appeared the visitors would leave empty handed.

But two minutes into injury-time full-back O’Brien galloped forward and sliced through the defence from the right hand side before unleashing a rasping left foot shot to the back of the net.

O’Brien had spent the previous week pleading his case with manager Liam O’Hagan to be played at full-back.

But having mopped up everything on the edge of the square he then set about stamping his influence on the game around midfield and then in attack. Even in the dying moments of extra-time he was still zipping around the pitch with endless energy.

The Gaels played some of their best football in extra-time and Enda Marren and Donie made telling impacts when introduced on what could yet turn out to be a major win in Ranelagh’s season.

On Thursday they showed a winning mentality and a battling, never-say-die attitude.

And because of that, no longer will others view Ranelagh Gaels as merely a ramshackle soft bunch from the Southside.

The Gaels are contenders now, real contenders.

Believe.

XX

First up on Tuesday were the Junior D’s, who won their first round replay against Robert Emmet’s to set up a meeting with St Anne’s this weekend.

Then on Thursday night Liam O’Hagan’s Junior C’s advanced to the quarter-finals following a tense extra-time win over St Sylvester’s.

Both of the first team’s championship games this season have gone to extra-time while the second side’s draw with Robert Emmet’s also came about after an additional 20 minutes was played.

All the players involved have shown massive fighting spirit and neither side seems to know when they are beaten.

Barry O’Brien was the star of the show on Thursday night at Broomfield.

He started the game at full-back, but was moved into the middle of the field and scored the dramatic injury-time goal that forced extra-time.

Remarkably, both games finished in 1-14 to 1-12 wins for Ranelagh.

On Tuesday night the Gaels led by five at the break thanks to a wonderful goal from The Doc, but they knew to expect a comeback having led by seven at half-time in the drawn game.

A late Robert Emmet’s goal ensured a tight finish, but the visitors held out for a well deserved two-point win.

The starting fifteen was made up of seasoned campaigners and some Gaels debutants and they got off to a flying start with Gordon Manning finding the net with a speculative effort.

The scoring continued as Anthony Beades and Alan Kelly, makng his first appearance since 2010, stretched the lead leaving the Gaels in a commanding position at the break – 1-6 to 0-2.

Declan Beirne gave a super display at corner back and began many of the side’s attacks with numerous dispossessions and interceptions. John Daly took up station at centre back and he showed calmness and composure on the ball throughout as did Shane Minihane behind him at full-back.

The visitors refused to lie down though and produced a storming last quarter, picking up the breaks around the middle and getting their key men on the ball. Their greater fitness also told as they reeled off 1-4 without reply, leaving the home side behind and staring at a first round exit.

The midfield partnership was immense all night; Gearoid O’Flynn’s ball winning and hard graft were key to the Gaels performance while Danny Kennedy registered some great scores, none more so than the audacious free that levelled it up at the end of normal time.

In atrocious conditions and with energy being sapped out of the legs, a Ranelagh team faced a second extra time challenge in less than a week.

Despite the incessant rain a sizeable crowd had gathered to watch the proceedings, including the Dollies with the Brollies from Blackrock.

Emmets looked to have more in the tank at this stage and flew out of the traps, scoring four points on the bounce but a free for the hosts left a goal between them as they swapped ends and faced the final ten minutes.

Ronan Rasdale produced a solid display between the sticks, and he pulled off a crucial save as the Gaels tried to rescue the match – a goal had to be found from somewhere.

A high ball was lobbed into the square and as the ball broke it met with Kelly’s fist – sides level once more.

There was still time for more drama however, Emmets worked another score to hit the front and again the Gaels had to summon the courage to find an equaliser.

The heads didn’t drop and following great work from Gearoid the ball was worked in for a free. The final word was left to Danny who stroked over another point to add to his impressive tally. It finished up 2-10 to 1-13, both sides live to fight another day.

Ranelagh Gaels came out on top after 80 epic minutes of football in the first round of the Junior C Championship on Thursday night.

The Gaels didn’t always make it easy on themselves against Round Towers in Clondalkin, but in the end they did just about enough.

The visitors were ahead by two points – always a dangerous lead in Gaelic football – with injury-time ticking down at the end of the the hour.

Disaster struck when the defence failed to clear a menacing ball in and Towers pinched a late goal that looked to have won it.

Ranelagh showed incredible fight to get back up the field and work a free, which Johnny Conlon popped over coolly with the last kick to force an extra ten minutes either way.

The home side got another soft goal in the first period of extra-time and again the Gaels showed their heart to battle their way back into the game.

Manager Liam O’Hagan had to use his bench as players were drained from the effort and several of them went down with cramp.

During his team talk before the start of extra-time he said he was ‘looking for warriors’ and that’s exactly what he saw on the field in the 20 additional minutes.

It would be unfair to single out any players for praise after this performance as everyone who featured contributed to what was a great win.

“I’m very proud of the way we played out there. Very proud,” said Liam.

“At times we were like Santy Claus the way we gave away the ball, but the lads just kept fighting.”

It was an even more remarkable display considering the amount of first-team regulars who were out of action.

The Gaels trailled by 1-5 to 0-5 at half-time after Towers converted an early penalty.

The Clondalkin side could have been out of sight by the end, but poor shooting in front of goals meant the teams were tied at 0-13 to 2-7 after the regulation 60 minutes.

Attention now turns to a vital Division 8 league tie against Kilmacud Crokes on Sunday and then the second team are in action in a rescheduled Junior D Championship game against Robert Emmets at Bushy Park on Tuesday night.

The game will throw in at 7.00 on Dublin ’s Northside. It is the second encounter between the sides in as many weeks with the Gaels hoping to put things right after suffering defeat a fortnight ago.

After last week’s impressive league victory over Ballyboughal, its time for the cut and thrust of Championship football to take centre stage.

Clontarf 2-10 Ranelagh Gaels 0-10

Ranelagh Gaels bowed out of the Junior C Championship after a fiercely contested game with Clontarf at St Anne’s Park on Sunday.

The two Division 8 sides served up a game full of the usual ingredients we expect from Championship-fare with hits, scores and tension aplenty.

The home side got off to a great start, scoring a classy point straight from the throw in. That was followed soon after by a goal which saw them race into a 4-point lead.

To their credit Ranelagh fought back and fashioned some wonderful scores from Tim and Conor, with the midfielder adding another soon after. Jer at corner forward was showing well, winning ball in front of his man throughout. He won some precious frees which Alan Kelly converted to tie up the game.

At the other end of the field James Galvin was putting in an immense display at corner-back, the highlight an unbelievable goal-line clearance late in the half.

Clontarf were on top overall though and the backs were being severely tested. They tagged on the last two scores of the half to leave it 1-6 to 0-7 in favour of the hosts at the break.

The Gaels dominated the third quarter, and looked to have the upper hand but were unable to reflect this on the scoreboard. Alan and Barry in the half forward line drove forward, with the latter being singled as the Ranelagh danger man and receiving particular attention from the opposing defence.

Despite the pressure the Gaels exerted it was Clontarf who registered the next two points. A goal soon after, the second from their target man full forward, all but ended the contest. They picked off another few scores to leave two clear goals between the sides at the end, 2-10 to 0-10

A disappointing day for Ranelagh, who had hoped to playing Championship football well into the Summer. They must now concentrate on the league; among their opponents later in the year will be yesterday’s victors.

The Gaels recorded an impressive win over Dublin 6 rivals Portobello in the opening round of fixtures last weekend.

That game was at home in Bushy Park, but now Ranelagh must travel across the city to St Anne’s Park.

Both of these teams are in AFL Division 8 so there shouldn’t be much to choose between them at the final whistle.

Manager Liam O’Hagan has a strong panel at his disposal and if he wants he will be able to change a winning team.

The defence laid the platform for victory last weekend and O’Hagan will be looking for another miserly performance from his backs.

The midfield of captain Brian Regan and Conor Harnett will be competitive against any opposition in this competition.

And up front the forwards managed to put together an impressive 3-8 scoreline on their last outing, putting behind them some less productive recent displays in front of the posts.

If the work-rate remains the same the Gaels won’t be far away from victory again this weekend.

For Directions to Clontarf’s adult pitches in St Anne’s Park click on the following link:
http://www.google.ie/maps?q=53.369734,-6.181998&num=1&sll=53.368582,-6.18217&sspn=0.012214,0.038409&hl=en&ie=UTF8&ll=53.368582,-6.18217&spn=0.012214,0.038409&z=15

RANELAGH GAELS 3-9 PORTOBELLO 0-8

RANELAGH Gaels moved into the second round of the Dublin Junior C Football Championship with a classy win over Portobello at Bushy Park on Sunday.

The Gaels came into this game on the back of two consecutive losses so the pressure was on to deliver the goods.

And this is exactly what manager Liam O’Hagan’s team did with probably their best footballing performance of the season so far.

Ranelagh hammered Portobello at Leinster Road in a League game earlier in the year, but the visitors were a very different team on this occasion and this contest was in the melting pot for long stages.

For most of a tense second half the gap between the teams hovered around four points and Porto’ missed a brilliant goal chance when they had the Gaels on the backfoot.

Cornerback Denis Crehan also had a great goal-line stop to keep the home team’s noses in front.

With Waterford football on such a high at the moment it should be no surprise that the Deise connection proved the difference in the end with final quarter goals from Danny, who got the first early in the game in a great display, and The Doc sealing the deal.

The fullback line of Denis, Martin Egan and James Galvin was excellent against a physical Porto’ attack.

The halfbacks got things moving well and Ian Naughton delivered a great performance on the wing, as did half forward Tim Cronin.

Gaels’ work-rate throughout was exceptional and towards the end the many nights of training told as they had fitter legs than the opposition.

With several key players still to come back from injury the management look like having a selection headache for the rest of the year, which can only be a good thing.

The second round is scheduled for next Sunday afternoon away to the winner of the Clontarf-Liffey Gaels tie and for further details check this website in the coming days.