Gowna and Ramor meet in U20 Division 1 decider

Preview

On Sunday at 1pm (Kingspan Breffni 3G), the kingpins of under 20/21 action will be decided. Gowna and Ramor United go head-to-head for this year’s Division 1 U20 Championshjip but also for the lead in titles won at this grade. Gowna, chasing back-to-back championships, have won five Division 1 championships with four coming in the 1980s and last year’s success ending a gap of 36 years, although Southern Gaels (Gowna and Lacken) had also won the previous two.

Ramor, also with five titles, first won an U21 championship in 1977, adding one more in 1980 and three between 2015 and 2019. They also won several titles as part of amalgamated sides.

Gowna topped the table with three wins from their three games. They recorded a three-point victory over Cavan Gaels in Terry Coyle Park in round one with Odhran Madden scoring the all-important goal in the first half. Next up was the visit of Kingscourt Stars to Gowna with two points separating the sides in the end in a physical contest.

Seanie Hartin’s first half goal gave Gowna a one-point lead at the break with Odhran Madden’s major in the second half giving them a cushion to hold on for the win.

Knockbride conceded the game to Gowna in round three setting up a semi-final with Kingscourt.

In a tight first half, Daire and Odhran Madden sent over a pair of points each and David Simpson added one to see them lead 0-5 to 0-2 at the break. A Kingscourt goal 10 minutes from the end brought it back to a one-point game but Odhran Madden split the posts once more to secure their place in the final on a score line of 0-8 to 1-3. The victory came at a cost as Daire Madden received a red card in the final quarter, meaning he’ll miss Sunday’s decider.

Ramor opened their campaign with a narrow loss in Dolan Park against Kingscourt in a low-scoring affair. Aaron Tynan converted an early penalty which set Ramor up for a single point lead at half-time. Michael McKeon’s goal in the final quarter gave Kingscourt a four-point lead to defend which they did by holding Ramor to three points from Matthew Smith, Aaron Tynan and Anthony Monaghan.

Next up for Ramor was a trip to Killygarry which produced a seven-goal triller. Aaron Tynan hit the Killygarry net before half-time to bring Ramor back within a point at the break. Three second-half goals from Anthony Monaghan (two) and James Brady pushed Ramor into a seven-point lead which was just enough to secure the win as Killygarry produced a late rally, with the final score 4-9 to 3-11. Matthew Smith finished with five points to his name.

Ramor faced Knockbride in a survival match in round three and came away with a six-point win to secure their place in the semi-final. Tynan finished the game with 1-3 with Smith adding five points and Monaghan landing three. The semi-final set up a rematch with Killygarry and again Ramor’s ability to get goals won the day, with Oliver McCrystal the outstanding performer.

Gowna come into the game as slight favourites because of their experience of winning at this level. Players like Eoghan and Seanie Hartin (the latter, along with Daire Madden, started the last three finals) will have to lead the way for Gowna while Matthew Smith and Oliver McCrystal will need big games for Ramor.

The Division 4 final between Drumlane and St Finbarr’s is down for decision on Friday evening at 8pm.

In ladies football, Lurgan and Killygarry clash in the Division 1 league final on Sunday at 11am (venue TBC).