Ramor Utd. back in A.C.F.L. Division One next season

Ramor Utd.                   0-15
Shannon Gaels            3-06

Ray Cole shooting for goal

In brilliant winter sun-shine Ramor Utd. and Shannon Gaels fought out a promotion/relegation battle in Ramor Park on Sunday last before a large attendance in Division 2 of the Cavan ACFL.

Ramor Utd. levelled the game with the last kick of the match and ensureded their return to Division 1 football next season. Shannon Gaels showed great character and determination leading from the ninth minute until the 60th minute to secure their place in the 2nd division next season.

This was a very exciting game played very sportingly with some periods of top-class football.

Paddy McNamee's well -taken free opened the scoring for the home side in the 9th minute. Shannon Gaels corner foward G. McGovern weaved his way through the Ramor defence to shoot a great goal after ten minutes.

Oliver Nolan and P. Dolan extended the lead for the West Cavan side with two good points. Former Cavan county star Dereck McDonnell replied with a point for the home side. In the fifteenth minute up popped G. McGovern latching on to a through ball from midfield to carve open the Ramor defence and score a second goal for the Shannon Gaels side. Points from A. Cahill and P. McNamee and a long range point from Ogie Farrelly narrowed the Shannon Gaels lead.

Shannon Gaels extended their lead with points from G. McGovern and P. McCaffery in the 25th and 26th minutes.
Ramor came back strongly with points from A. Cahill, D. Sheridan and P.McNamee leaving the score at the interval reading 0-9 to 3-4 in favour of the visitors.

Second - half

Ramor opened the second half with three points in the opening five minutes from Paddy McNamee, Aoghan Cahill and Dara Sheridan. ramor United made a number of substitutions at this stage with Niall McHugo, Shane Cole and Shane Reilly seeing some action. Points followed for the Shannon Gaels side from P.McCaffery and a long range free from current county defender A. Forde. This was to prove to be their last score of the game.

Ramor half-foward Aoghan Cahill went on to score three points in the last five minutes of the match, the last of which was a nerve - testing free 35 yards out in the dying minutes.

There was jubilation in the Ramor camp after a hard earned result which means Division One football for the club in 2002.
Shannon Gaels for their part can take pride from their never-say-die performance which secured their place in Division Two football next season. They came for a result and achieved their aim.

Ramor - F. Conway, R. Fitzsimons, P. Smith, B.Fitzsimons, F.Comey, P. Kermath, D.Sheridan, D.McDonnell, O, Farrelly, A. Cahill, P. McNamee, J. Brady, D. McDonnell, P. Brennan, R. Cole

Subs: Niall McHugo, Shane Cole, Shane Reilly.