Senior League 2008 Round 1

Ramor Utd.    1-07
Cavan Gaels  0-09.

Ramor played host to Cavan Gaels in the first round of the senior League Div 2 on Sunday last in very cold and windy conditions.

Ramor started well with a fine point from play from Paddy Mc Namee in the opening minute. Cavan Gaels responded immediately with a point from Martin Dunne. The stage was set for a close encounter between these two young sides.

Ramors next score came from Anton O’Reilly, however this was to be the last score for ten minutes as Ramor dominated the play , but failed to score, notching up a number of wides before Shane Cole pointed from play in the 19th minute. This was to be Ramors last score of the half, as Cavan Gaels rallied with points from Martin Dunne(free) and Niall Collins.

The Gaels continued to dominate the scoreboard, converting two unanswered frees. A good ball in from Damien O Connor to Martin Dunne resulted in what was probably the score of the match from Martin Dunne to leave a half time score of Cavan Gaels 0-6 Ramor 0-3.

Cavan Gaels opened the scoring in the second half with a point from Alan O’Riordan. Peter Monaghan replied with a free in the 5th minute. Ramor were on top at this stage, but were failing to get the scores, having kicked a number of shots into the keepers hands.Ramor made a number of changes with James Mc Enroe and Philip Kermath replacing Barry and Philip Fitzsimons and .Ado Cole was brought out to the half forward line. These changes had the desired effect as Peter Monaghan had a fine point from play, followed by a fisted point from Ronan Keating. A great move involving Ado Cole and Paddy Mc Namee allowed Ronan Keating to blast home a fine goal. Cavan Gaels responded after a foul on Dominic Reilly enabled Martin Dunne to convert yet another free. Philip Kermath was unlucky to have his attempt at goal blocked by Declan Meehan in the Gaels goals. Both sides battled on and Paul Quealy was introduced for Shane Cole, and was only minutes on the field when he scored a fine point to put Ramor two points ahead. There was the minimum between the sides after Sean Reilly scored a point from play in the last minute of the game. An anxious minute followed for the Ramor team until referee Sean Smith blew the final whistle to give Ramor Utd their first win of the League under new manager P.J. Buckley.Full time score, Ramor 1-7, Cavan Gaels 0-9.

There were some very solid performances from both sides, with the Ramor defence playing very well as a unit. Stefan Connolly and Daire Sheridan holding their lines very well.Shane Gaffney and Anton O’Reilly battled hard at mid-field, while the forward-line will need to improve their accuracy, they showed spirit and never-say-die attitude,and managed to get a result. Declan Meehan in the Gaels goal was put to the test a number of times, but did well. Dallan Mc Cormack at full back was solid, while Sean Reilly at mid-field, Niall Collins, Alan O’Riordan and the impressive Martin Dunne all tried hard for the Gaels.

Ramor Utd. Aoghan Cahill, Joe Hopkins, Ray Cole, Raymond Farrelly, Barry Fitzsimons, Stefan Connolly, Daire Sheridan, Anton O’Reilly,(0-1) Shane Gaffney, Peter Monaghan(0-2). Shane Cole,(0-1) Philip Fitzsimons, Paddy Mc Namee,(0-1) Ronan Keating,(1-1) Adrian Cole.

Subs used; Philip Kermath James Mc Enroe, Paul Quealy,(0-1) Garrett Daly.

Cavan Gaels; Declan Meehan, Patrick Heslin, Dallen McCormack. Marc Leddy, Damien O Connor, Padraig Burns, Joe Kenny, Sean Reilly(0-1) Ed O’Hanlon, Niall Collins(0-2), Dominic Reilly, Alan O’Riordan(-0-1), Richie Graham, Cormac Nelligan, Martin Dunne.(0-5, 3 frees).