Laragh rue missed opportunities

Ramor United 1-12  Laragh United 1-8

How Laragh contrived to lose this game is a mystry. They created the bulk of the chances but failed to take them. Ramor on the other hand took full advantage of their possession and earned a 1-12 to 1-8 victory in O'Reilly Park, Cootehill, on Sunday last.

Laragh will bemoan a host of missed opportunities, which could have won the game handsomely for them. Thay worked the ball well from defence to the fowards but their shooting left a lot to be desired. They only managed two scores in the second half , the second a late consolation goal just before the end.

There was little between the teams in the opening period with Laragh just shading it at the interval 0-7 to 0-6. In the second half, Laragh made the early running but failed to make it count on the scoreboard.

Ramor managed to capitalise on every foray into the Laragh half. Their fowards sent over some great scores, which finally broke the Laragh resistance. Aoghan Chaill opened the scoring when he pointed for Ramor but David Smith had the sides level a few minutes later. Smith and Anthony McGovern put Laragh two clear before Paddy McNamee left the minimum between the sides.

Smith and Ray Maguire put Laragh three clear midway through the half. Cahill and McNamee replied for Ramor to keep them in touch. Paul Brady and Keith Soden exchanged scores, with Soden pointing a great side line kick.

Barry Fitzsimons made an immediate impact for Ramor when he was introduced. He was only on the field a minute when he had the sides level for the second time. Laragh wasted some golden opportunities, which ultimately proved costly. However David Smith did give them a slight advantage at the break with a point.

That man Fitzsimons had the sides level for the third occasion early in the second half. Laragh should have had a goal following a good move when the ball was worked to Ray Maguire, who hit the poast when it looked easier to score. They then hit five consecutive wides which they could ill afford.

The turning point of the game came nine minutes into the second half when Philip Kermath slotted home a loose ball to put Ramor in the driving seat 1-7 to 0-7. This goal gave them great fillip and they began to punich Laragh for their wastefulness.

Cahill tacked on a point to ease them four clear somewhat against the run of play. Now playing with confidence the fowards began to take advantage of their possession. Cahill knocked over two points and Ray Cole added anothe to put them six clear, with ten minutes remaining.

Such was their confidence that veteran Dereck McDonnell cheekily back heeled a pass to a colleague which bamboozled his opponent. Cahill increased their lead before Enda Tully fisted home a consolation goal in the stroke of full time.

Framcis Conway was sound in the Ramor goal and was given some great cover by Philip Kermath, Niall McHugo, Ronan Fitzsimons and Gareth Daly. Maurice Murphy did well in center field and up front, Paddy McNamee, Keith Soden, Aoghan Cahill and Ray cole were the pick.

There was little Brian Carolen could do with the Ramor goal, and other than that he dealt capably with everything that came his way. Best of the backs were Paul Cooney, Martin Smith and Liam Johnston.

In midfield Colin Oates and Patrick Shields did well and in attack Davis Smith, Enda Tully, Paul Brady and Ray Maguire tried hardest.

Ramor Utd. - F.Conway, R.Fitzsimons, P.Brennan, G.Daly, N.McHugo, P.Kermath (1-0), D.Sheridan, B.Brady, M.Murphy, A.Cahill (0-6), R.Cole (0-1), Keith Soden (0-1), D.McDonnell, S.Cole, P. McNamee (0-2) Subs: B. Fitzsimons (0-2) for D.Sheridan, D.Courtney for G.Daly, O.Farrelly for B.Brady, B.Brady for S.Cole.

Laragh Utd. - B.Carolan, A.Oates, P.Cooney, J.Johnston, M.Smith, E.Brady, L.Johnston, C.Oates, P.Shields, M.Johnston, P.Brady (0-2), D.Smith (0-4), E.Tully (1-0), R.Maguire(0-1) A.McGovern (0-1)

Referee: G.McDermott