Cavan A.C.F.L. Round 4, Ramor V Crosserlough.

Ramor continued their League Campaign on a positive note with a hard fought victory over Crosserlough on Saturday evening last in Virginia in front of a very large crowd on a scoreline of 2-8 to 1-6. It was not the prettiest of games, with both sides being guilty of squandering gilt-edged chances. Ramor led at half-time by 2-3 to 0-3 after playing against the wind. The Buckley-Mackin management team led their charges to an eventual five point victory over Crosserlough who were out for their first game under new manager Sean Lynch.

Paddy Brennan opened Ramor’s account with a good point from play in the 4th minute. Barely two minutes later, Ado Cole couldn’t believe his luck as Crosserlough’s keeper Brian Gaffney spilt the ball into the path of the in-rushing Cole who found the bottom corner of the net, thereby catapulting his side into a 1-1 lead with five minutes played.

Crosserlough registered their first point in the 9th minute courtesy of Tomas Mc Evoy. The unfortunate Brian Gaffney then hastily dragged Ramor’s Ado Cole to the ground in the square, and referee Martin Sexton had no hesitation awarding the penalty, which Paddy Brennan clinically converted. Crosserlough made a number of substitutions with Enda O’Reilly and Dave Clarke coming on for Jimmy Higgins and Brian Gaffney.

Crosserlough failed to respond, recording a number of wides from Barry Mc Kiernan and Tomas Mc Evoy. In the 16th minute, Karl Smith ended the visitors drought with a fine point from play. A subsequent free awarded saw Barry Mc Kiernan put it wide. Paddy Brennan was on song in the 19th minute with a great point from a tight angle while well marked, giving his side a six point lead. Crosserlough, while having lots of possession failed to register a score, have kicked three consecutive wides. Donal Farrelly scored a break away point for Ramor after great work from half back Stefan Connolly in the 26th minute. Barry Mc Kiernan ended the succession of wides for Crosserlough with a pointed free in front of goals to leave a half time score of 2-3 to 0-3.

Ramor made a number of positional changes at the start of the second half and Niall Mc Hugo replaced Gareth Daly(injured).Anton O’Reilly kicked a wide for Ramor in the 1st minute of play, but made amends a moment later with a point from play. Tomas Mc Evoy converted two consecutive frees for his side, thus reducing the arrears to 5 points with 10 minutes gone.A good ball in from Paul Quealy found Ado Cole in space who turned and duly slotted over the bar in the 12th minute. Barry Mc Kiernan replied with a free , and a minute later the same player was at the end of a good Crosserlough move, which resulted in a thunderous shot to the back of the Ramor net, giving keeper Aodghan Cahill no chance at all. There were only two points between the sides with 15 minutes played. Paul Quealy settled Ramor with a converted free in the 18th minute, and this was almost immediately followed with a good point from Raymond Farrelly and this gave Ramor a four point lead. Crosserlough substituted James Mc Evoy with Dominic Mc Cabe, but this didn’t dent Ramor’s momentum as Ronan Keating pointed after a good ball in from Ado Cole. This was to be the last score of the game as referee Martin Sexton blew the final whistle on a score of 2-8 to 1-6.

This game will leave the Ramor management with a lot of food for thought, but they will be happy with the way their side reacted to the second half resurgence by Crosserlough. Crosserlough’s management will be happy with their team’s improvement from their outing against Belturbet, but will need another improvement before their next game. They will surely rue the wasted chances and will need to address this over the coming weeks.

Ramor; Aodghan Cahill, Raymond Farrelly(0-1), Ray Cole, Damien Barkey, Stefan Connolly, Gareth Daly, Barry Fitzsimons, Anton O’Reilly(0-1) James Mc Enroe, Paul Quealy,(0-1, free) Shane Gaffney, Donal Farrelly(0-1), Paddy Brennan(1-2 pen), Ronan Keating(0-1), Adrian Cole(1-1). Sub Used; Niall Mc Hugo.

Crosserlough; Brian Gaffney, Mark Lynch, Colin Lynch, Ollie Costelloe, Mark Reihill, Declan Mc Cabe, Barry Colwell, Declan Gaffney, Padraig Mc Kiernan, John Lynch, Tomas Mc Evoy(0-3, frees), James Mc Evoy, Barry Mc Kiernan1-2 two frees), Karl Smith(0-1), Jimmy Higgins.

Subs Used; Enda O’Reilly, D. Clarke, John Lyng, Dominic Mc Cabe.