McEvoy's late free wins thriller for Ramor

SFC round 1

Ramor United 1-12

Crosserlough 0-14

Paul Fitzpatrick at Kingspan Breffni

A nerveless free from the outstanding Sean McEvoy five minutes into second-half injury time secured a win for Ramor United in this rip-roaring championship opener at HQ.

The county champions were ahead by three at the end of the a slow-burner of a first half but Ramor timed their run to perfection and McEvoy’s late, late free – his sixth point of the evening – secured the win.

The Lough threatened to cut loose on a couple of occasions, opening a 0-4 to 0-1 lead after eight minutes and extending that to 0-8 to 0-4 after 27 as they led throughout but Ramor, despite missing chances and struggling on kick-outs, hung in there.

James Smith was the star performer in that opening 30 minutes. The county star, who hadn’t played a competitive game getting injured playing against Longford on May 22, was excellent, winning kick-outs and turnovers consistently, despite the best efforts of Brían O’Connell, who moved on to him after 10 minutes and was influential himself on kick-outs and in general play.

Ramor were utilising the long ball, hitting Ado Cole early and as often as possible. From one such delivery, he found James Brady on the loop and Sean McEvoy – who had 0-3 from his first three possessions – supplied the finishing touch for the opening point.

But Crosserlough would kick four on the spin between the fourth and eighth minutes. Patrick Lynch landed the first, Brandon Boylan the second before Lynch converted two frees.

Ramor pulled two back from James Brady (free, after a foul on Cole and a stylish effort from play) but Crosserlough would register four of the next five points. Lynch knocked over a 45 and a free before James Smith forced a turnover and Cian Boylan pointed.

McEvoy sent over a high-quality point on the turn but a foul on Brandon Boylan was punished by Lynch to make it 0-8 to 0-4 on 27 minutes.

Ramor came up with two important points from McEvoy and a fisted Cole effort but Crosserlough ensured it was a two-point game at half-time when Finn Lotscher saved spectacularly from Ryan Galligan but Brandon Boylan latched on to the rebound and split the posts.

Ramor began the second half on the front foot with a super point from Jack Brady, who excelled at centre-back, and a sweet strike from the ground by Man of the Match McEvoy but the reliable Lynch hit back with a free which he earned himself.

McEvoy picked out Cole who was fouled for Brady to knock over and leave one between them but a lovely free from Emmett Boylan left two in it 12 minutes into the second half.

And then came the crucial score. A Mattie Magee turnover won possession for Ramor, Simon Cadden tore through the middle third and fellow sub Gareth Mannion sent a rocket to the roof of the Crosserlough net.

Crosserlough responded like champions, though, with a trademark score from David Shalvey and a 40-metre free from Lynch saw them re-take the lead with nine minutes to play.

When James Smith turned over the ball and pointed, it seemed Jimmy Higgins’s men had weathered the storm as Ramor huffed and puffed but failed to blow holes in their defensive shell.

But the Virginia men kept pressing; Paddy McNamee – one of a trio of subs who had a huge impact – curled in from a tight angle. Ramor pressed high on the Crosserlough kick-out and deep in injury time, McEvoy nailed that free, although Crosserlough had been aggrieved when it appeared Lotscher may have fouled the ball in the build-up.

All in all, a thoroughly heavyweight clash to start the championship.

Ramor United: Finn Lotscher, Lorcan Lynch, Damien Barkey, Matthew Magee, Adam O’Connell, Brían O’Connell, Eoin Somerville, Laurence Caffrey, Enda Maguire, Mossie Farrelly, Jack Brady (0-1), Cathal Maguire, James Brady (0-3, 2f), Ado Cole (0-1), Sean McEvoy (0-6, 2f)

Subs: Gareth Mannion(1-0) for C Maguire (22 mins), Simon Cadden for Farrelly (29), Conor Fitzpatrick for E Maguire, Paddy McNamee (0-1) for B O’Connell (45), Tomás Lynch for Magee (50, temp, reversed 52)

Crosserlough: Brian Malocca, John Cooke, Patrick O’Reilly, David Shalvey (0-1), Cian Boylan (0-1), Conor Rehill, Eoin Smith, James Smith (0-1), Ryan Galligan, Emmett Boylan (0-2, 1f), Pierce Smith, Shane McManus, Brandon Boylan (0-1), Patrick Lynch (0-8, 6f, one 45), Stephen Smith

Subs: Peter Smith for P Smith (48 mins), Darren Gaffney for E Boylan (56), Mark Stuart for McManus (60), Oran Rehill for B Boylan (60)