Magic McFaul unable to save Érin go Brágh Ranelagh Gaels

1-10 Érin Go Brágh 2-5

Even a wonderful display of scoring from full forward Darren McFaul, who notched a remarkable total of 2-4, was not enough to prevent a heartbreaking defeat for the Érin go Brágh Junior footballers last Sunday morning in Hazelbury Park. Early injuries to key men Dylan Stephens and centre half back Cillian Meade made life difficult for 'Go Brágh and when Steve Walsh was shown a straight red card in the second-half by an extremely fussy referee the writing was on the wall for the men in green.

Ranelagh began the first-half with the wind at their backs and they took full advantage of this by scoring the first six points of the game, pinning 'Go Brágh back in their own half. However the Dublin 15 team’s first attack of the game yielded a goal after a defence splitting pass from Dylan Stephens found McFaul and he flicked the ball over the advancing keeper to reduce the deficit to three points. Soon after this goal both Cillian Meade and Dylan Stephens had to be substituted with ankle and hamstring injuries respectively which took the wind out of Érin go Brágh’s sails somewhat.

Ranelagh added three quick points to cancel out the advantage of the earlier goal and regain a six point advantage but the in-form McFaul grabbed a late point just before half time to leave the scores at 0-9 to 1-1 at the interval with the Dublin 15 side having it all to do in the second-half though they would have a considerable breeze at their backs.

The second period started much better for Érin go Brágh and McFaul capitalised on a loose ball bouncing around the 21 yard line and knocked it over the bar for the first score of the half. This was soon followed by a free which was converted by the same player, and the gap was suddenly back to just three points. The McFaul swung over a beauty of a sideline ball from the left to make it a two point game and all things seemed possible as Érin go Brágh were now dominating proceedings with Dan Stephens and Dave Walsh starting to get on top in midfield, displaying some wonderful high fielding.

To add to the momentum Steve Walsh popped up with a great score from his left boot and the local team were beginning to loom the more likely winners of this contest. The referee had other ideas however and dismissed Steve Walsh soon after this point for a shoulder to the chest of the Ranelagh Gaels corner back. It seemed a yellow card offence at worst but as many inter-county managers have suggested in recent weeks it seems that the GAA is inclined towards removing the physical element from the game entirely.

Despite the setback of what they considered a terrible decision, Érin go Brágh continued to show great fighting spirit and inevitably it was Darren McFaul who got his fist to a hopeful high ball into the square by Dave Walsh and the net bulged to give the Dublin 15 lads a two-point lead with just ten minutes to play. This seemed to spark Ranelagh back to life however and they utilised their extra man to full effect and cut through the Érin go Brágh defence to deliver the killer blow with a well taken goal, leaving the goalkeeper with no chance.

The Southsiders then added another point before the final whistle blew and despite the best efforts of the men in green this was the last score of the game. It was a story of what might have been for Érin go Brágh but it was Ranelagh Gaels who left Hazelbury Park with a hard fought two-point victory.

Érin go Brágh: C.McNamara, P.Price, T.Evans, B.Dunne, P.Callaghan, C.Meade, J.Kelly, Dan Stephens, D.Walsh, M.Moroney, M.English, P.Nulty, J.Griffin, Dylan Stephens, Darren McFaul.

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