Ramor hold off Lacken fightback

ACFL Division 1

Ramor United 2-13

Lacken 1-12

Paul Fitzpatrick at Dolan Park

Ramor survived a second-half fightback from Lacken to get back to winning ways in this entertaining tussle at Virginia on Saturday evening last.

In perfect conditions, Ramor led all the way, with 17-year-old centre-forward Matthew Smith in sparkling form. The home side led by 10 points five minutes before half-time but Lacken played with great spirit thereafter and, profiting off a high press on the Ramor kick-out, they cut the gap to one before Lacken scored four of the last five points to run out winners by four.

Early on, it was all Ramor. Playing into the lake end, they built up a 2-3 to 0-0 lead after 13 minutes. Smith found Conor Bradley in the opening minute with a long pass and when he was felled, Liam Maguire hit the top corner with the resulting penalty.

Smith again teed up Seanie Keogan for a fisted point and then knocked over a free after Ado Cole won the ball out in front and James Bradley won a free.

Smith then won and converted a free to make it 1-3 to 0-0 and when Cole took a quick free to Conor Bradley, who found the bottom corner with a smart finish, there were nine between the sides.

Killian Galligan, by far Lacken’s main scoring threat, won and converted a free to get them off the mark but two frees from Smith, one a 40-metre effort off the ground, extended Lacken’s lead to 10.

Galligan and Ryan Coyle (both frees) ate into the lead a little either side of a Conor Bradley point and a super left-footed free with the final kick of the half by Coyle saw the teams go in at the break with the 2021 senior champions holding a 2-6 to 0-4 lead.

A well-struck curled point from Smith got Lacken going again on the restart but the Celtics upped their game, with David Wilson, relocated from full-back to midfield, influential. Killian Galligan registered from a free and after Keogan rattled the Lacken post, the visitors made no mistake at the other end when Galligan held off a couple of defenders and hit the net for a great goal.

Suddenly, there was wind in Lacken’s sails again. Wilson fired over after a good run to make it a four-point game and although Smith sent over a 46-metre free off the deck, Lacken raised another white flag with a Coyle free after Leddy was impeded.

Smith and Cole combined to set Nathan Levy-Valensi up for a Ramor point as the match entered the final quarter. Lacken were competing strongly; Coyle laid off for Craig Lanauze to point and when Micheál Shanaghy was fouled pulling the trigger, Galligan did the honours to make it a one-score game.

Coyle added another free as Lacken continued to rule the Ramor restart, with home manager John Brady bringing Cole to midfield for an extra aerial option.

Galligan was fouled and Coyle again converted to cut the gap to the minimum with six minutes of normal time remaining – but Ramor responded well. They finally got their hands on the ball at midfield, Tomás Lynch sent it long and the wily Paddy McNamee created space and split the posts for a crucial score.

McNamee then threaded a pass to Gareth Mannion, who blasted over from close range, and a 45-metre free from Smith saw Ramor ease four ahead again.

Lacken kept pushing and Paul Leddy came up with a well-taken point off the left but Ramor broke out of defence and McNamee laid off for sub Martin Comey, who fisted over the insurance point.

Ramor United: Oisin Rourke, Lorcan Lynch, Adam O’Connell, Killian Brady, Tomás Lynch, Mark Magee, Matthew Magee, Nathan Levy-Valensi (0-1), Gareth Mannion (0-1), Liam Maguire (1-0, pen), Matthew Smith (0-7, 6f), James Bradley, Seanie Keogan (0-1), Ado Cole, Conor Bradley (1-1)

Subs: Killian Maguire, Paddy McNamee (0-1), Martin Comey (0-1)

Lacken: Daryl Buckley, Peter Galligan, David Wilson (0-1), Kevin Shanaghy, Shane Finnegan, Ryan Coyle (0-5f), James Smith, Shane Moynagh, Craig Lanauze (0-1), Mark Wilson, Philip Moynagh, Donal McSorley, Paul Leddy (0-1), Killian Galligan (1-4, 4f), James Moynagh

Subs: Aodhgán Halton, Torin Brady, Micheál Shanaghy

Ref: Ollie Donohoe

In other ACFL results this evening, Cavan Gaels defeated Gowna (2-13 to 0-15), with Keenan Donohoe bagging two first-half goals for the town side.

Knockbride hit the net six times in their win over Ballymachugh, with Belturbet and Drumalee drawing. Lavey had a big win over Templeport, with Cuchulainns beating Shercock by 10 and Kingscourt seeing off Mullahoran by three.

Full results here.