Cavan senior football championship qualifier final

Eamonn Gaffney RAMOR UTD showed their battling qualities when they produced a match-winning six minute spell in the closing stages of this most entertaining Cavan senior football championship qualifier final to end the hopes of neighbours Castlerahan at Kingspan Breffni Park on Friday evening last. Ramor held a three point lead with thirteen minutes left following a period of dominance by the Virginia-based side but Castlerahan hit back almost immediately and a brave run by Sean Brady from deep within his own half, and despite bouncing in to a number of tackles, battled through for the levelling goal. With extra-time a possibility, Ramor fought back and within four minutes scored what proved to be the match-winning goal from Ronan Keating, following a long punt deep in to the Castlerahan goalmouth by midfielder James McEnroe. Ramor held the upperhand with time running out and with two minutes of normal time remaining, Patrick McNamee ensured that there would be no time for Castlerahan to force the game into extra-time if they had managed to snatch a late goal as he sent over a point to extend their lead to four points. Kingscourt Stars are Ramor"s next opponents in the quarter-finals on this (Saturday) at Breffni Park at 6.30. Without question this was one of the most entertaining games in the competition so far, and was badly needed to lift the championship out of it"s current morass. With both sides fielding youthful squads the pace of the game was fast from an early stage and was maintained throughout as one side and then the other took control. Early promise not fulfilled Castlerahan promised much in the early stages and were two points in front after only three points through Brian Coleman and Ronan Flanagan. Although Stephen Monaghan responded from a free one minute later, Ronan Flanagan, who was having a fine game, added to his tally with an excellent left-footed point for a 0-3 to 0-1 lead. Ramor kept in touch through Adrian Cole but Castlerahan immediately bounced back and with Cian Mackey giving the defence a tough time a free to the Ballyjamesduff-based club converted by Ronan Flanagan gave his side 0-4 to 0-2 lead after nine minutes. Mackey and Anton Reilly exchanged points before Mackey extended Castlerahan"s lead to three points in the sixteenth minute, a fine effort from the wing. Castlerahan could have been further ahead but two wides denied them the chance to stretch the lead to five points. Towards the latter stages of the first-half, Ramor began to make an impact and points from Philip Fitzsimons and Ronan Keating left one point between the teams. Brian Coleman and Paddy Brennan swopped scores and with five minutes of the first-half remaining, a Stephen Monaghan point left the sides level. There was no let -up in the intensity of the game as the interval approached. When Enda Mulvey put Ronan Flanagan through for a point for the lead for Castlerahan in the 28th minute the score was barely registered before Ramor hit back with a point from Paddy Brennan, which, however, was disallowed as it was from a fisted effort. This missed opportunity didn"t unduly upset Ramor and Adrian Cole left the sides deadlocked at 0-8 each at half-time. Castlerahan started the second-half as they did the first with two points from the same two players, Brian Coleman -with only seconds gone - and Ronan Flanagan in the third minute. A two point lead was never going to be enough judging by the way the game was shaping up. Ramor"s team manager P. J. Buckley in an effort to subdue a real threat from Ronan Flanagan switched corner-back Damien Barkey on to the county player and this had the desired effect. Within five minutes Ramor were on level terms through Cole and a Monaghan free. Ronan Flanagan helped Castlerahan into a 0-11 to 0-10 lead from a free in the 39th minute but there were signs that Ramor were gaining the upperhand. They forced a 45 from which Cole pointed in the 41st minute and took the lead thirty seconds later with a McNamee point. When Anton Reilly and Philip Fitzimons added two more during a fine three minute spell, Ramor led by three points, 0-14 to 0-11. Excellent points With fifteen minutes left, Castlerahan didn"t seem to have much left in the way of ideas or stamina. Cian Mackey and McNamee exchanged two excellent points with twelve minutes left. Then out of the blue came Sean Brady"s fine, individual goal and it was level pegging for the fifth time. Castlerahan worked hard for the lead score but Mackey kicked high and wide from the wing. Then in the 52nd minute came Keating"s match-winning goal from McEnroe"s long ball. There was still some ten minutes for Castlerahan to save the game but Mackey and Nigel Duignan were off target.. With only two minutes of normal time left, Patrick McNamee made sure of his team"s passage to the last eight with a point and the Virginia-based side were well on top as the game moved deep into injury time. Ramor Utd will be hoping to get into the semi-finals after losing to Cavan Gaels at the same stage last year. Ramor Utd - Aodghan Cahill; Damien Barkey, Ray Cole, Garret Daly; Raymond Farrelly, Shane Gaffney, Barry Fitzsimons; Stephen Monaghan (0-3, frees), James McEnroe; Philip Fitzsimons (0-2), Anton Reilly (0-2), Ronan Keating (1-1); Paddy Brennan (0-1), Patrick McNamee (0-3), Adrian Cole (0-4). Subs. Paul Queally for Philip Fitzsimons (53), Shane Cole for Stephen Monaghan (56). Castlerahan - Charlie Clerkin; Pauric Cunningham, Barry Cusack, Caolan McBreen; Dane Smith, Sean Brady (1-0), Alan Mulvey; John Clarke, Paddy Cusack; Ronan Flanagan (0-6), Nigel Duignan, Enda O"Connell; Enda Mulvey, Brian Coleman (0-3), Cian Mackey (0-3). Subs. Michael Smith for Dane Smith (50), Fergal Flanagan for Enda Mulvey (57), Oisin O"Connell for Enda O"Connell (58). Referee, Brian Crowe, Cavan Gaels.