Ramor too strong for Cavan Gaels

Ramor United 2-13

Cavan Gaels 0-10

Paul Fitzpatrick at St Matthew’s Park

This most intriguing renewal of the Senior Championship took another twist at a sun-drenched Crosskeys on Saturday evening last when Ramor United handed out a nine-point defeat to Cavan Gaels.

The Virginia side came into the match off the back of an unconvincing win over Shercock while the Gaels, widely fancied to regain a title they last held in 2017, had ruthlessly dismantled Mullahoran. It was easy to see why Kieran Donnelly’s side were installed as 4/7 favourites to get the win here but Ramor made a mockery of those odds with an emphatic performance.

Ray Cole’s men should have been more than two points ahead at half-time after kicking six first-half wides and dropping another two efforts short and they would fall behind on the resumption as the Gaels upped the ante.

However, as the game wore on, Ramor grew stronger and were winning individual battles all over the pitch. Ado Cole and James Brady had the beating of their men in the full-forward line, Killian Maguire dominated in the air around the middle and Simon Cadden, Gareth Mannion and sub Sean McEvoy provided an energy and ball-carrying ability that the Cavan Town side could not match.

Paul O’Connor and Martin Dunne kicked some excellent points for the losers but as a unit, Ramor shut down the Gaels attack, with Lorcan Lynch and Tomás Farrelly turning in great shifts while Brían O’Connell blotted out the in-form Sean Johnston.

The first half was defensive, attritional and a poor spectacle. Ramor opened with three wides before Dunne was the first to register. Two tricky frees from Brady and a great point from Cathal Maguire after a lay-off from Cole saw Ramor into a two-point lead but O’Connor hit back with an excellent point on 20 minutes.

Cole laid on a fisted point for Cadden and then converted an attacking mark before Adam O’Connell sent over a super score to make it 0-6 to 0-2 but the Gaels responded impressively with three points just before the interval from Johnston (free), Gearoid McKiernan – a terrific point from long range – and an O’Connor attacking mark.

The Gaels started the second half the way they finished the first and when O’Connor kicked a great score with the outside of the left and Dunne landed their fifth in a row from a free, they led 0-7 to 0-6.

Ramor drew level when Brían O’Connell went on a powerful run through the centre and found McEvoy, who pointed, but Dunne sent over a good free to regain the lead for the Gaels, who looked likely to kick on.

However, Ramor would go on to out-score them by 2-6 to 0-2 over the remainder of the match. After super play from McEvoy, Cole laid on for Adam O’Connell who slotted to the net for a fine goal.

Moments later at the other end, Liam Brady denied Johnston a green flag with a spectacular diving save and from their next attack, James Brady sent over from play to make it 1-8 to 0-8.

Another Brady free stretched Ramor’s advantage before the crucial score arrived in the 40th minute. Killian Maguire won the Gaels kick-out and the ball found its way to Mannion who sent a powerful shot to the roof of Ciaran Flynn’s net.

Again, the Gaels looked to hit back quickly; Johnston went for goal from a free but Brady was equal to it and turned it over the bar.

An attacking mark from McEvoy and another from play by the deadly James Brady stretched Ramor’s advantage and although sub Declan Meehan pulled one back and Dunne booted over another quality score, the would-be winners had more in the tank and soon kicked for home.

Possibly the point of the game from Mannion, who beat a couple of defenders and slotted over, was followed by further eye-catching scores from Cole and Killian Maguire as the Virginia side powered over the finish line.

Given how hard it is to accurately gauge lines of form in this helter skelter competition, it would be foolish to read too much into what this game says about either side’s outright chances. They will likely meet again before the season is out but on this showing, Ramor appear superior to the Cavan Town men.

Ramor United: Liam Brady, Lorcan Lynch, Brían O’Connell, Tomás Farrelly, Eoin Somerville, Ben Smith, Adam O’Connell (1-1), Laurence Caffrey, Killian Maguire (0-1), Gareth Mannion (1-1), Simon Cadden (0-1), Cathal Maguire (0-1), James Brady (0-5, 3f), Ado Cole (0-2, 1m), Seanie Keogan

Subs: Sean McEvoy (0-2, 1m), Mark Magee, Jack Doyle, Enda Maguire

Cavan Gaels: Ciaran Flynn, Shane Fortune, Evaan Fortune, Levi Murphy, Kevin Meehan, Luke Fortune, Darragh Sexton, Luke Molloy, Paul Graham, Paul O’Connor (0-3, 1m), Keenan Donohoe, Andrew Graham, Sean Johnston (0-2f), Gearoid McKiernan (0-1), Martin Dunne (0-4, 2f)

Subs: Declan Meehan, Stephen Murray, Niall Smith

Ref: Conor Dourneen