'Bridge impress in big win over Ramor

IFC: Butlersbridge make it three wins from three

Butlersbridge 2-21

Ramor United 1-5

Paul Fitzpatrick at Kingspan Breffni

Butlersbridge turned in a sparkling performance to sweep aside Ramor United in this Intermediate Championship round three clash played in an almost eerie atmosphere at a deserted HQ on Friday evening last.

The many Butlersbridge supporters, in particular, who were not permitted to attend this match missed out on what must be their team’s most one-sided championship victory in many years. George Dugdale’s side picked up a third win in succession with some marvellous attacking football although it must be noted that opponents Ramor were considerably weakened.

The Virginia men were missing Peter and Stephen Monaghan, Shane Gaffney and Paddy McNamee from their win over Drumgoon a week earlier and it showed as the match wore on.

The Bridge started well but missed a few chances in the early stages. After 10 minutes, they were 0-3 to 0-0 ahead after frees from Fionntán and Caoímhín O’Reilly and a fisted point from Martin Fitzpatrick after some lovely soccer skills from former underage international Jonny Leddy.

Sean Brady, who tried hard for Ramor all evening, opened their account with a free on 13 minutes and by the 20-minute mark they were two ahead. Shane Cole kicked a super point from play and from the resulting kick-out, Conor Nulty laid the ball off and Cole used all of his experience to shield it from a defender, allowing Brady to space to gather and send a powerful finish to the net.

However, Butlersbridge’s response was impressive as they kicked seven points unanswered in the 10 minutes before half-time. They had been finding their full-forward line with ease from the start, with Caoímhín O’Reilly delivering some quality ball, and as they settled into the contest, they began to make attacking marks and punish the Ramor defence.

Two sweetly-struck frees from the ground from Paddy McPhilips got them going again before Kevin McPhilips put them in front. Shane O’Rourke was next to get in on the act; Fionntán O’Reilly cut in for another and then landed his third when Leddy’s rasper of a shot rebounded off the woodwork.

Eighteen-year-old O’Reilly then made and converted a mark from a perfect Paddy McPhilips pass as the Bridge went in holding a comfortable 0-10 to 1-2 advantage, although Ramor could easily have been closer, having dropped six shots short in the first half.

The second, though, was a procession. Two minutes in, Jonny Leddy won an attacking mark but opted to play on; a quick offload to the onrushing Caoímhín O’Reilly saw him bearing down on goal and he made no mistake with a cool finish to make it an eight-point game.

Sub Killian Leddy, making his comeback from injury, booted over the next point before Caoímhín landed another and then the game was truly finished as a contest when O’Reilly found his younger brother with a handpass and the 2019 county minor rose highest to palm to the net.

From there on, it was shooting practice for Butlersbridge for the most part.

John Fitzpatrick landed a long range point which was cancelled out by a super free from outside the 45 by Sean Brady but further scores from Caoímhín O’Reilly and Jonny Leddy (free) made it 2-15 to 1-3 entering the final quarter.

Cole took a pass from Nulty and kicked a good point for Ramor but there were huge gaps at the back by now and Caoímhín O’Reilly (two), Killian Leddy, Niall McGovern, Gareth Henry and Jack Graham all registered on the home stretch, with Liam Maguire having the final say for Ramor.

After a slightly stuttering start, this was as convincing a win as this technically-skilled Butlersbridge side could have produced. They were stronger in every line, with the O’Reilly brothers particularly sharp.

For Ramor, it was a big ask missing so many players but they had a few good performances, notably Brady, Cole and Pauric O’Connell while Damien Barkey, also returning from injury, showed his quality on his introduction.

Butlersbridge: Karlos Conlon, Cathal Leddy, Paddy Flynn, Diarmuid McCorry, Shane Leddy, Kevin McPhilips, Andy McConnell, Ryan Duffy, John Fitzpatrick (0-1), Martin Fitzpatrick (0-1), Fionntán O’Reilly (1-4, 1f, 1m), Shane O’Rourke (0-1), Jonathan Leddy (0-1f), Caoímhín O’Reilly (1-5, 1f), Paddy McPhillips (0-2f)

Subs: Killian Leddy (0-2), Peter Conaty, Jack Graham (0-1), Niall McGovern (0-1), Gareth Henry (0-1)

Ramor United: Cian O’Kelly, Alan O’Reilly, Stefan Connolly, Stephen Kavanagh, Colm Murphy, Adam Farrelly, Stephen Gargan, Liam Maguire (0-1), Micheál Smart, Conor Farrelly, Shane Cole (0-2), Conor Nulty, Donal Farrelly, Sean Brady (1-2, 2f), Pauric O’Connell

Subs: Damien Barkey, MJ Metcalfe, Aaron Mannion, Ronan Cullen, Ryan Kellett

Ref: Ollie Donohoe

Pic: Jonny Leddy in action for Butlersbridge against Ramor last night. Photo: Adrian Donohoe