Ramor Utd. Take their first title.

Ramor United 1-11 Woodford gaels 0-7

Ramor United (Virginia/Maghera) captured the Cavan senior football championship title for the first time in their brief three year existence when they easily brushed past the challange of West Cavan hopefuls, Woodford Gaels (Templeport/Kildallan) to win a disappointing final by 1-11 to 0-7 at Breffni park last Sunday. Although played in ideal conditions, with bright sunshine bringing out a big attendance, the game fell well below expectations as Ramor Utd.- seeking to wipe out the memory of last years defeat by Annagh - gained early supremacy and never subsequently relinquished their stranglehold on a very disappointing game. An attendance of 5,500 turned up in anticipation of an epic East v. West battle but the final turned out to be a 'damp squib' and the cup was bound for the combined parishes of Virginia and Maghera long before the final whistle sounded.

Ramor United came into existence in 1971, but while they had to wait three years for ultimate success it was worth waiting for and the manner of their victory suggests that they are a team still to reach their potential. The prise awaiting the winners is a place in the Ulster Club Championship competition and Ramor United will meet Derry champions, Ballinderry, in the first round at Breffni park on Sunday, October 13th.

The fact that Ramor United had the benefit of playing in last year's final was a tremendous psychological boost to their prospects and was a factor in their favour which eventually helped them to victory. Their opponents were having their first taste of a county senior final - although many of the players have inter-county experience - and this proved a handicap as the team failed to produce the form that they are capable. Shrewd observers put forward the view that Woodford Gaels where beaten before the game even got underway such was the physical strain and built up tension in the side. While not disputing that the laurels went where they deservedly belong, it is fair to point out that Woodford Gaels are capable of displaying better form but, like Ramor United, they may come good next year, after having learned the lesson of defeat.

The real test of Ramor United's worthiness will be seen in the forthcoming Ulster club championship tie and while their task is an unenviable one - Annagh went out in the first round to the Derry title-holders last year - if they treat this premier competition with the same dedication and sense of purpose which they displayed in winning the Cavan title they could prove a force in the inter-provinical series.

Although one normally expects a final to be productive of some exciting fare, even if the standard of football falls short of the occasion, this final will not be relived in the annals of the Cavan G.A.A. history books for its brillance or excitement . For the most part it was a disappointing and lack-lustre affair. The only reason that one can come up with for the lack of trills was that many of the players particularly on the Woodford Gaels side seemed overawed by the occasion. Even though the West Cavan side accounted for last year's champions, Annagh and also Cavan Gaels in the campaign these victories only flatered to decieve and they came to face Ramor United ill-prepared psyschologically and failed to show the form that they are capable of producing.

The only time that Woodford Gaels were on top was in the opening quater when they jumped into a three points to nil lead by the 13th minute; but Ramor hit back in deadly fashion with a goal from Mickey Mulvaney in the 15th minute to draw level and when Frank Tynan put the champions into the lead with a point four minutes later, Ramor never subsequently lost their lead. By half time, Woodford trailed 1-5 to 0-3 but 5 minutes into the second half this was reduced to three points. However, Woodford were only able to add two more points to their total and the battle was won and lost at the end of the third quarter

The fact that Ramor included nine of the team which played in last years final was a boost to their prospects and added to that was the experience of former Ulster and Armagh defender, Tom McCresh in defence and Frank Tynan at midfield which were two of the main factors which brough the title to East Cavan. Thirty-four year old McCreesh playing in his first-ever Cavan final had his best game to date in the competition and apart from initiating attacks blotted out Woodford's dangerman John Joe Martin. Tynan's worth to the side was a little more valuable as he notched seven of his sides points, four from frees, but but most important of all he and Pddy Tobin gave Ramor United the edge at midfield for the entire hour.

This was a real team effort by Ramor United and the team was well coached by Paul Fitzsimons. In defence, Barney and Luke Mulvey, one of two sets of brothers in the team were in top form in the full-back line and gave goalkeeper, P.J. Galligan excellent cover. Noel Lynch completed a very effective last line of defence. In the half-back line, Tom McCreesh was outstanding and wing-halves, Kevin Smith and Joe Hopkins - who played a captains part were equally effective. Hopkins was one of three brothers on the team the others being Gerry and Paul, both operating in the attack.

The expected midfield battle failed to materialise as both Paddy Tobin and Frank Tynan never lost their grip in the sector. In an attack which didn't always take the easy oppertunities when presented, Mick Mulvanney, Gerry Hopkins and the veteran Larry Mulvanney were the dangermen. Top class support came from county minor Paddy McNamee, Aiden Connell, Paul Hopkins and sub - Pat O'Connell.

Woodford gaels were naturally disappointed not only because they were beaten but in the manner in which many of the established players failed to rise to the occasion. The battle against the odds was left to goalkeeper Aiden Greene who made some marvellous saves and right-half foward Phil Kelly, the Donegal-born garda, who almost ran himself into the ground in a bid to rouse his colleagues. He finished top scorer with four points. The only other players to impress were Jimmy Carroll and Sean Smith in defence.

The occasion produced a very colourful scene as the teams were paraded round the field before the start by Drumkilly Boys and Girls Band. Before the throw in there was a minutes silence as a mark of respect to the late Bishop of Kilmore, Most Rev. Dr. A. Quinn. the respective team captains, Frankie Dolan (Woodford Gaels) and Joe Hopkins (Ramor United) were presented to his Lordship, Most Rev. Dr. F. McKiernan, Bishop of Kilmore, and he performed the traditional throw in which started this eagerly-awaited county final.

There was no wind to aid either team but Ramor United played into a strong sun which hampered their play in the early minutes. Woodford Gaels were first to attack when they were awarded a free but Phil Kelly's kick went wide. Woodford sent another chance wide but they kept up the pressure and this time Noel Corcoran's free was sent in low and easily cleared by the Ramor defence. Ramor broke away for the first time after just three minutes and Gerry Hopkins had a golden oppertunity but his shot for the net was blocked and eventually booted out of danger. A bad clearance by Tom McCreesh ended in a free to the West Cavan side but was cleared.

Ramor United still trying to find their feet forced a '50' and a lobbing free by Tom McCreesh landed in the square but referee Jim McCorry spotted an infringement and a free out gave Woodford a breather. The first score of the game came in the tenth minute when Woodford Gaels half-foward Phil Kelly broke away on a solo run, but after some hefty tackles was finally fouled and he converted the free himself. Ramor United countered but were wide on two occasions, one of these from a frank Tynan free. The Kildallan - Templeport combination were playing quite well at this stage and they scored their second point from a Phil Kelly free in the twelfth minute. When John Joe Martin added the third for the West Cavan club a minute later to give a 0-3 to nil lead it looked as if Ramor United might be suffering from 'match nerves'.

The stage was set for a close and absorbing tie when a ball from the veteran Larry Mulvanney landed in the Woodford square and and was finished to the net by his namesake Mickey Mulvaney in the 15th minute to put the teams level.

There was a brief period of excitement at this stage as Ramor gained a new lease of life and pressurised the Woodford goal but goalkeeper Aiden Greene was in sparkling form and brought off two fine saves during this period. Ramor eventually took the lead when Frank Tynan pointed a free in the nineteenth minute and after Larry Mulvanney was wide from close range, the Virginia - Maghera combination went further ahead when county minor Paddy McNamee burst away on a solo run and ended with a fine point in the 23rd minute.

Both sides missed chances but in the remaining six minutes of the first period Ramor United were well in control and Frank Tynan increased their lead to three points when he converted a free in the 26th minute. Larry Mulvanney almost got through for a goal straight from the kick-out but Woodford Gaels goalkeeper Aiden Greene brought off a great save. Gerry Hopkins and Frank Tynan with a point each closed the first half scoring. At the interval, Ramor United led by 1-5 to 0-3.

Second Half

Woodford Gaels team manager Tom Maguire, laid it on the line for his side during the half-time pep talk and in an effort to boost the strength of the attack brought in county minor Owen Martin. He was placed on the '40' and John Joe Martin was moved to full-foward displacing Jimmy Kelly. Ramor United initiated the first attack of the second half but Frank Tynan was narrowly wide. Woodford Gaels scored in the third minute when Phil Kelly pointed a free reducing the deficit to four points. Ramor sent over a point almost immediately but the score was not allowed for a square infringement.

A close finish looked in prospect when Kelly pointed another Woodford Gaels free in the 5th minute but Gerry Hopkins and Frank Tynan (free) countered with a point in the sixth and seventh minutes to put Ramor five points clear. John Joe Martin had Woodford's last but one point of the half in the nineth minute, leaving four points between the teams, but this was the end of their challenge. Woodford brought in Michael Heery to try to strengthen the defence but it was to no avail. Frank Tynan displayed his accuracy with two points in the 12th and 14th minutes stretching Ramor's lead to six points

Woodford had their final score at the start of the final quarter when Noel Corcoran converted a free. The exchanges were hard-fought at this stage as Woodford tried to prevent what seemed like certain defeat and in an isolated incident the referee took the names of John Joe Martin and Paddy McNamee. Ramor was well in control in the final minutes but their shooting attempts were weak. Woodford however, failed to gain anything from their opponents' generosity near goal.

There was a gap of ten minutes without any scoring in the last quarter, but it waas Ramor United who broke the deadlock when Frank Tynan shot a great point from fifty yards with five minutes left to stretch the lead to six points. A last desperate effort by Woodford Gaels endedwhen seamus Martin's effort was well saved by the Ramor goalkeeper P.J. Galligan. The final score came from Paddy Tobin when he pointed with a minute left and at the final whistle there was no disputing as to who was the winners.

Ramor United - P.J. Galligan; B. Mulvey, L.Mulvey, N.Lynch; K.Smith, T.McCreesh, J.Hopkins (captain), P.Tobin (0-1), F.Tynan (0-7); P.McNamee (0-1), A.Connell, G.Hopkins (0-2), M.Mulvanney (1-0), L.Mulvanney, P.Hopkins, Sub: P.O'Connell for P.Hopkins

Woodford Gaels - A.Greene; J.Carroll, F.Dolan (Captain), B.McManus; C.Reilly, S.Smith, S.Martin; P.kelly (0-4), J.J. Martin (0-2), M.Freehill; P.J. McManus, J.Kelly, N.Corcoran (0-1). Subs : O.Martin for J.Kelly, M.Heerey for C.Reilly.

Referee: Jim McCorry - Butlersbridge