Div 2 Minor League Semi-Final;

Ramor Utd 3-15, St. Finbarrs 0-9.

The much anticipated semi-final meeting of these sides took place eventually after inclement weather forced a post-ponement and a change of venue. Friday evening last in windy conditions in Virginia , the two teams served up a great hours entertainment before a very large gathering. It was largely Ramor’s evening as they dominated for long spells, but the threat from St. Finbarrs only dissipated in the second half.

Ramor played with the wind in the first half, however it was St Finbarrs who were first on the scoreboard with points from Anthony Brady and Darren Tiernan, the first point coming from a rebound after a free hit the post.

A speculative ball in from mid-field found Jack Brady who rounded his marker and slooted over a fine point in the 5th minute. Hardly a minute later, Greg Kerrigan fed a fine pass into Jack Brady who turned and fired a rasping shot to the bottom corner of the net, propelling his side into a two point lead. Two minutes later a foul on Kevin Mulvanny enabled Jack Brady to score a fine free from a tight angle on the left side. A sideline ball from Brady rebounded off the post and the in-rushing Christopher Sheils made no mistake and slotted over the bar in the 12th minute.

A rare foray up the field for St. Finbarrs resulted in Darren Tiernan’s effort landing into the keeper’s hands. From the clearance, the ball reached the forward line and a high challenge by Damien Hand on Jack Brady enabled the latter to slot over the resultant free to put Ramor ahead by 5 points. St. Finbarr’s Anthony Brady reduced the deficit to four with a converted free for a foul on himself.

The Ramor forwards were linking up very well together at this stage, and a fine catch by Christopher Sheils put Adam O’Connell through for a point. In the 19th Minute Jack Brady increased Ramor’s lead with a point, and the same player was on target with a converted free a few minutes later. A dangerous ball in by Darren Tiernan was firmly collected and cleared by Ciaran O’Connell, and the Ramor backs provided an impenetrable wall, frustrating the Finbarrs forwards.

Christopher Sheils in the 25th minute fielded a great ball at mid-field and broke though to score a fine point.

St. Finbarrs were awarded two frees nearing the half time whistle , which Killian Brady duly converted to leave a half time score of Ramor 1-8, St. Finbarrs 0-5.

The Ramor mentors may have had cause for concern at half time with only a six point lead after playing with a very strong wind, however, this was not to be the case.

A chance for St. Finbarrs to start well was missed with a free going wide in the first minute of play. Ramor came under a bit of pressure, but the backs defended well and a foul on Christopher Sheils enabled Jack Brady to open Ramor’s account of the second half. After kicking one wide, Adam O’Connell made good in the 6th minute with a point following good passing play from Jack Brady, Christopher Sheils and Kevin Mulvanny. At the other end, Anthony Brady’s shot at goal went narrowly wide. From the kick out Liam Keane laid the ball off to Darren Tiernan who made no mistake splitting the posts with a good point from play.In the 8th minute , a great move among the Ramor forwards resulted in Adam O’Connell scoring a fine goal.

Darren Tiernan responded for St Finbarrs with a fine point from play. Christopher Sheils, after winning the ball at midfield, made a run straight through the Finbarrs defence and fisted over the bar to widen the gap. It was all Ramor at this stage, as Jack Brady now operating at mid-field made a superb catch and passed to Christopher Sheils who scored a fine point in the 20th minute.A moment later Brady fed Adam O’Connell who pointed a good one.County Minor Darren Tiernan , after a clean catch made a good run and scored a fine point from play in response. After a foul on himself, Christopher Sheils converted to put Ramor further ahead. Jack Brady increased Ramor’s lead with a free, and Killian Brady replied with a free for St. Finbarrs. Time was almost up when Kevin Mulvanny made a clean catch at mid-field . passed to Christopher Sheils, who in turn found Jack Brady, and he ran through the Finbarrs defence, unleasing a rasping shot to the net giving keeper John Cassidy no chance at all. It was the final blow for St. Finbarrs and referee Brian Crowe blew the final whistle.

The Ramor defence proved to be a solid unit with excellent performances from Alan Treacey, Colm Lynch, Enda Farrelly, Cian Gargan, Colm Murphy and Darren Lynch. Midfield had their moments, while in the forward line Christopher Sheils, Adam O’Connell and Kevin Mulvanny impressed, while Jack Brady was outstanding, showing great leadership and determination, with a personal tally of 2-8.

For St. Finbarrs, Damien Hand and Cian Mc Phillips were best in defence, while Darren Tiernan had a good game at mid-field. Up front, Paul Heuston, Killian Brady and Anthony Brady were the pick of the bunch.

Ramor; Alan Treacey, Colm Lynch, Enda Farrelly, Ciaran O’Connell, Cian Gargan, Colm Murphy, Darren Lynch, Greg Kerrigan, Simon Cadden, Ronan Smith, Christopher Sheils(0-4), Adam O’Connell(1-3), Killian Treacey, Kevin Mulvanny, Jack Brady(2-8).

Subs Used; Cian Wogan, Arann Farrelly.

St. Finbarrs; John Cassidy, Aidan Hannigan, Niall Cassidy, Damien Hand, Shane Tiernan, Cian Mc Phillips, Dwayne Watson, Darren Tiernan(0-4), Liam Keane, Damien Reilly, Paul Heuston, Liam Gaffney, Ian Middleton, Anthony Brady(0-2), Killian Brady(0-3).

Subs Used; Ciaran O’Reilly, Gavin Pritchard.

Refereee; Brian Crowe.