Cavan A.C.F.L.; Ramor Utd. 1-14. Cúchulainns 0-9.

Ramor entertained Cuchulainns on Saturday evening last in front of a large crowd. This was a local derby that neither side wanted to lose, and perhaps Ramor were out to avenge last years defeat in the Championship. Cuchulainns , on the other hand were badly in need of points to try to climb up the League table after a disappointing start.

The visitors were first out of the blocks with a point from Killian Lynch in the opening minute. Adrian Cole, in the fourth minute made amends for his two earlier wides when he kicked a fine point after a great pass from Shane Gaffney.

A good ball in from Stefan Connolly found Shane Gaffney who turned and kicked a fine point. In the seventh minute Conor Daly levelled matters up with a good point from play. Two consecutive fouls on Ado Cole allowed Anton O’Reilly and Paul Quealy to convert from the left and the right, putting Ramor two ahead with 12 minutes played. Seamus Clarke pointed a free after a foul on himself in the 14th minute. Ronan Keating and Seamus Clarke exchanged wides before Shane Gaffney scored a point for Ramor. At this stage Ramor were dominating the game, particularly at mid-field, with Anton O’Reilly in outstanding form. In the 26th minute, Paddy Brennan, from an almost impossible angle out near the sideline, curled in a great point for his side. From the kick-out, Ronan Keating fielded the ball and ran through the defence to fist over the bar, giving his side a four point lead. Ado Cole was in for a certain goal, but his attempt hit the post and Diarmuid Fox was there to collect, but he fouled Paul Quealy on the way out, and Quealy converted with the clock ticking towards half time. There was another blow to follow for Cuchulainns as Stefan Connolly collected a great ball from Shane Gaffney and ran unchallenged from his wing back position to score a superb goal on the stroke of half time. Ramor 1-8. Cuchulainns 0-3.

Cuchulainns started well in the second half and a foul on Killian Lynch left Seamus Clarke with the easy task of slotting over the bar from in front of the post. Martin Lynch and Ado Cole exchanged wides before Paul Tully scored a point. Cuchulainns were dominating proceedings at this stage and were denied a certain goal by Stefan Connolly who blocked Seamus Clarke’s shot, allowing for a 45. Keith Soden replaced Paul Quealy and Christopher Tully replaced Barry Smith for the visitors. Philip Fitzsimons and Seamus Clarke added to the tally of wides, before a long ball in from Anton O’Reilly found Ado Cole who in turn fisted over the bar in the 13th minute. A minute later, Seamus Clarke converted a free after a Ramor defender was adjudged to have overcarried the ball. Anton O’Reilly scored two superb points from far out in the 17th and 18th minutes and was causing nightmares for Cuchulainns. Thomas Reilly replaced Alan Callaghan as Cuchulainns struggled to make an impact. James Mc Enroe was replaced by Donal Farrelly. Another Seamus Clarke pointed free followed, and reduced the deficit to six points with 9 minutes remaining. Rory O’Connell replaced Killian Lynch and Paddy Mc Namee replaced Paddy Brennan for Ramor. Shane Smith scored a point from play for the visitors after good work from Conor Daly. Donal Farrelly responded with a good point for Ramor from a tight angle. Further points from Keith Soden and Ado Cole in the 30th minute put the game well out of reach for Cuchulainns, and referee Jimmy Galligan blew the final whistle to leave a final score of 1-14 to 0-9.

Best for Ramor were Stefan Connolly, Gareth Daly and Raymond Farrelly in defence. Anton O’Reilly was outstanding in mid-field, while in the forward line Shane Gaffney , Ado Cole and Paddy Brennan stood out.

For Cuchulainns, Martin Lynch and Patrick Murtagh tried hard in defence. In the forward line, Seamus Clarke, Shane Smith and Killian Lynch were best.

Ramor; Aodghan Cahill, Raymond Farrelly, Ray Cole, Damien Barkey, Barry Fitzsimons, Gareth Daly, Stefan Connolly(1-0), James Mc Enroe, Anton O’Reilly(0-3 ,1 free), Philip Fitzsimons, Shane Gaffney(0-2), Ronan Keating(0-1), Paul Quealy(0-2 frees), Ado Cole(0-3), Paddy Brennan(0-1)

Subs used; Keith Soden(0-1), Donal Farrelly(0-1), Paddy Mc Namee, Joe Hopkins Peter Monaghan.

Cuchulainns; Colm Anderson, Diarmuid Fox, Barry Smith, Martin Quinn, Patrick Murtagh, Martin Lynch, Donnacha Dunne, Paul Taite, Adrian Taite, Conor Daly(0-1), Seamus Clarke(0-5, all frees), Paul Tully(0-1), Alan O’Callaghan, Shane Smith(0-1), Killian Lynch(0-1).

Subs Used; Rory O’Connell, Christopher Tully, Thomas O’Reilly.

Referee; Jimmy Galligan (Lacken)