Ramor claim U20 Division 1 league title

U20 Division 1 League final

Ramor United 2-15

Cuchulainns 0-14

A 10-minute blitz in the run-up to half-time provided the perfect platform as Ramor United claimed the U20 Division 1 league title in impressive fashion against neighbours Cuchulainns on Tuesday night last at Páirc MacFinn.

The exchanges were relatively close for the first 20 minutes but from there till half-time, Ramor turned the screw, reeling off 1-5, with Cavan minor player Matthew Smith and senior star Sean McEvoy, who scored a spectacular goal in this period, to the fore in the Ramor attack.

Scores from Caolach Monaghan and county U20 player Turlough Farrelly either side of a Karl Farrelly effort saw Cuchulainns lead early on but Ramor hit the front for the first time on eight minutes when Conor Fitzpatrick converted a penalty to make it 1-1 to 0-2.

Anthony Monaghan and Glenn McCann traded scores thereafter before Ramor were awarded another penalty but this time Fitzpatrick's spot kick went over the bar to leave three between the sides with a quarter of an hour played.

Ramor introduced McEvoy after 20 minutes and the dual player, who played such a big role in the club’s Senior Championship success last year, made an immediate impact, extending his team’s led to four with his first point.

This was cancelled out by a Turlough Farrelly free for Cuchulainns, but Ramor then hit their stride and put the game to bed with a devastating surge before the interval.

A '45 from Matthew Smith started the onslaught; Smith then fired over from play and Ramor extended their lead to eight points when McEvoy tore through and hit the

net.

Another for the impressive Smith and a point for Anthony Monaghan made it 2-8 to 0-4 in the 26th minute and when Smith knocked over another from play, Cuchulainns found themselves 11 points in arrears.

A free from Farrelly just before the break made it 2-9 to 0-5 at the midway point. However, Ramor had lost Karl Farrelly to a black card on the stroke of half-time and, playing 13-a-side on a big pitch, the Virginia lads were forced to utilise a more defensive set-up in the opening period of the second half, with McEvoy dropping back to help shore up the rearguard.

Cuchulainns needed a bright start to the second half and they got it when Farrelly converted another free and Cavan minor forward Niall Magee stroked over a 45 to cut the gap.

James O'Hara and Magee exchanged white flags as Cuchulainns began to eat into Ramor's lead. Two more from 17-year-old Magee, either side of one for Glen McCann, cut the gap to a more manageable six points approaching the three-quarter mark but Ramor found their groove again with scores from McEvoy and Smith (45).

Magee and Conor O'Reilly registered again; Karl Farrelly responded for the would-be winners and although Cuchulainns had the final say with a pair of Turlough Farrelly frees, Ramor ran out deserving winners.

The champions were well served by all of their defence. Defender Nathan Levy-Valensi did very well in a good battle with the talented Turlough Farrelly. Centre-back Oliver McCrystal had a fine game at number six while Tomás Lynch was outstanding, reading the game well and producing numerous blocks and interceptions.

Up front, McEvoy was excellent on his introduction with Matthew Smith also exceptional, continuing his good from the county minors’ campaign.

Cuchulainns were probably a physically stronger side but Ramor ran the ball well and used their pace to good effect. Philip Smyth had a very good game in midfield, winning a lot of ball in the air, with Niall Magee impressive in attack along with Glenn McCann while goalkeeper Glenn Prendergast made a couple of superb saves.

Cuchulainns: Glen Prendergast, Paddy Lynch, Luke Doyle, Sean Coyne, Josh Husband, Cian Donoghue, Adam McKenna, Philip Smyth, Oisin Donoghue, Caolach Monaghan (0-1), Cillian McCabe, Niall Magee (0-5), Glenn McCann (0-2), Turlough Farrelly (0-6, 5f), Ben Flanagan

Sub: Conor O’Reilly (0-1)

Ramor United: Oisin Rourke, Nathan Levy-Valensi, Ryan Kellett, James O'Hara (0-1), Tomás Lynch, Oliver McCrystal, Conor Fitzpatrick (1-1, 1-0 pen, 0-1 pen), Pauric Morgan, Donal Maguire, Matthew Smith (0-5, two 45s), Anthony Monaghan (0-2), Karl Farrelly (0-2), Jamie Ahearn, Martin Comey, Niall Skelly

Subs: Sean McEvoy (1-2), Shane Keenan, Conor Nulty, Martin Comey

Ref: John Emo