Cavan Senior A.C.F.L. Round 2; Ramor 0-8 . Redhills 1-5.

Ramor entertained Redhills in a very cold windy Ramor Park on Sunday last in front of a large crowd. It was the first meeting of the sides since Ramor’s victory over Redhills in the Division 2 League Final last November.

Both teams had players missing due to injury. Redhills started off brightly playing against a strong wind with Joe Callan scoring a point from play in the 3rd minute. This was to be Redhills only score from play throughout the game.

From the kickout, Ramor put together a great move which should have ended in a goal, with James Mc Enroe laying off to Paddy Brennan, whose shot went narrowly wide. Rory Dunne fed the ball to Cormac Kilbride whose shot at goal was saved by Aodghan Cahill, however, Referee Donal O’Reilly awarded a penalty to Redhills to the disbelief of the Ramor players.

Colin O’Reilly duly converted and Redhills were 1-1 up in a game that was 6 minutes old. Great play from Philip Fitzsimons set up Paddy Mc Namee for Ramor’s opening point. A minute later, Ramor’s Anton O’Reilly took a quick 45 and laid it off to Paul Quealy who made no mistake pointing. In the 13th minute Redhills were awarded a free, and Packie Leddy converted. At this stage of the game Rory Dunne and Brendan Leddy were dominating the midfield area. In the 17th minute Paddy Mc Namee sent over a fine point from play from the 45m line. Paul Quealy and Philip Fitzsimons recorded a couple of wides for Ramor. In the 24th minute, Quealy was in form with a free. Redhills had a couple of wides from Mark Kelly and Colin O’Reilly as the blustery conditions left it difficult to score.Shane Cole had a wide for Ramor and from the kick-out Paddy Brennan was fouled and Paul Quealy duly slotted over the free. In time added on in the first half, wing back Barry Fitzsimons raced up the field to receive a good pass from Paddy Mc Namee and he fired over a great point to send Ramor in to the break leading by 6 points to 1-2.

Ramor made a substitution with Brian Brady replacing Philip Fitzsimons who picked up a knock late on in the first half.

Redhills started the second half in whirlwind fashion with Colin O’Reilly converting the free after a foul on himself , thus levelling matters. Ramor could not get the ball past the midfield area with good play from Packie Leddy , Cormac Kilbride and Pierce West. Unfortunately this good work was not carried into scores as wides came from Leddy, Kilbride and Colin O’Reilly. Ramor introduced Stefan Connolly for the injured Brian Brady. Ramor were executing a lot of hand passes at this stage of the game, finding it hard to penetrate the Redhills half back line. Paddy Mc Namee recorded a wide in the 10th minute, this being one of the few times Ramor had a scoring chance. Redhills replaced Mark Kelly with Dylan Dunne.

Packie Leddy missed a free in the 16th minute , but Colin O’Reilly made no mistake from his free two minutes later to put Redhills into the lead. A number of wides ensued for both sides before Paul Quealy converted a free for a foul on Paddy Mc Namee in the 23rd minute. A minute later, great play from Stefan Connolly resulted in Donal Farrelly slotting over a great long range point for Ramor, edging the hosts one up with six minutes to go. Packie Leddy missed another Redhills free. A couple of minutes later, Mark Kelly and Colin O’Reilly would have bagged a goal, but for the heroic efforts of Ramor keeper Aodghan Cahill. At this stage, Joe Hopkins replaced Shane Gaffney and Philip Kermath replaced Paddy Brennan with time running out for Ramor. Tensions were high and there was but a kick of the ball between the sides with Ramor desperately trying to hold on to their lead, and Redhills surging forward in need of a point. Their prayers were answered when Ramor, in control of the ball gave it away in defence ,and a subsequent foul allowed Packie Leddy to convert the free and level the game.

There was still time for Redhills to snatch victory, but Brendan Leddy narrowly missed from play. Referee Donal O’Reilly blew the final whistle on what was a competitive game, considering the swirling wind and the very cold conditions.

Both sides will rue the countless chances squandered and will be glad to share the points.

Best for the home side were Aodghan Cahill in goals, Raymond Farrelly, Emmett Daly and the very impressive Stefan Connolly who when introduced, seemed to propel Ramor forward. Anton O’Reilly tried hard in mid-field,while in the forward line Paddy Mc Namee, the hard-working Donal Farrelly and Paul Quealy were the pick of the lot.

For Redhills, Seamus Smith was very solid at full back, Adrian Fitzpatrick and Alan Brady were sound. Rory Dunne and Brendan Leddy dominated large spells at mid-field, while Packie Leddy, Cormac Kilbride, Colin O’Reilly and Pierce West tried hard.

Ramor; Aodghan Cahill, Emmett Daly, Damien Barkey, Raymond Farrelly, Barry Fitzsimons,(0-1) Gareth Daly, Shane Gaffney, Anton O’Reilly, Shane Cole, Donal Farrelly(0-1), Paul Quealy(0-4;, 3 frees) Philip Fitzsimons, Paddy Mc Namee,(0-2) James Mc Enroe, Paddy Brennan.

Subs used; Brian Brady, Stefan Connolly,Joe Hopkins, Philip Kermath,.

Redhills; Fintan O’Reilly, Conor Mc mahon . Seamus Smith, Ciaran Smith, Adrian Fitzpatrick, Alan Brady, Fergal Mc Dermott, Rory Dunne, Brendan Leddy, Packie Leddy(0-2, frees), Pierce West, Cormac Kilbride, Joe Callan,(0-1) Colin O’Reilly,(1-2; frees, penalty) Mark Kelly.

Sub used; Dylan Dunne