Gers hot on leaders’ heels

A late fixture change forced Rangers to hit the road on Sunday but they arrived home with a comfortable win over basement side Oldcastle to stay hot on the trail of Division 2 leaders Kells Blackwater.

The conditions were bad and it was a fairly even opening 20 minutes, but Rangers gained the upperhand and threatened to score a number of times.

Gavin Gaffey twice was unlucky with two attempts. The first went inches wide after a fine run by full back Stephen Begley who crossed for his teammate who shot from outside the box.

Again Gaffey was unlucky when his shot flew wide from an opening created by a run and cross by Shaun O’Connor down the right flank.

Gaffey was rewarded on the half hour when he finished off a great team goal that involved as many as 15 passes and ended with Barr Carr crossing low from the right to the far post.

Rangers slackened off and afforded Oldcastle a couple of half scoring chances, but nothing to trouble Thomas Mulvey.

The second half was virtually one way traffic, and Rangers wrapped up the points in the opening 20 minutes, stretching their lead with goals from Barry Carr, TJ Murtagh and Keith Harmon.

Centre-half Jimmy Byrne was sent off for retaliation with 20 minutes to go reducing Rangers to ten men before Oldcastle grabbed a late consolation. RANGERS: Thomas Mulvey Martin Murphy, Brian McCloskey, Jimmy Byrne, Stephen Begley, , Shaun O’Connor, Anto McLaughlin (Keith Harmon), Michael Bergin (Eedris Akinade ), Gavin Gaffey, Barry Carr, TJ Murtagh.