Dara McVeety, Crosserlough, and James Bradley, Ramor United, in Cavan SFC Final action at Kingspan Breffni. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile
Cavan SFC Final
Crosserlough 2-6 Ramor United 0-4
By Paul Fitzpatrick at Kingspan Breffni
Crosserlough ran out deserving winners over Ramor United to pick up their first SFC crown since 2020 and the club’s 11th in total in the Cavan SFC final this afternoon.
Powered on by Man of the Match Conor Rehill, Crosserlough dealt with the appalling conditions better, although their final winning margin was slightly flattering as they added 1-1 in the dying seconds.
However, that shouldn’t mask the fact that they were better on the day in almost every department, although Ramor – who last won the title in 2021 – could point to a bout of illness in the camp as a contributing factor to their flat performance.
Ramor had the wind in the first half and didn’t make it count, registering 11 wides in that period while Crosserlough dealt with the elements better, keeping things very tight in the first half and, wind-assisted, utilising the long ball to full-forward James Smith well in the second.
Ramor played with the wind at their backs in the first half but didn’t lead at any stage, as Crosserlough hit the front with an Emmett Boylan free and led again with a similar effort from Brandon Boylan.
Ramor equalised twice, Matthew Smith with the score of the match, a free from the left sideline, and Cathal Maguire landing the only point from play in the opening half.
Maguire was forced off in some distress with an injury shortly afterwards, which necessitated a third substitution for the Ramor men in the first half hour.
Crosserlough defended deep against the wind and won most of the battles, with corner-back John Cooke razor sharp and forcing several key turnovers.
The new champions hit the front early in the second half when James Smith, who had a super game in the target man role and also won his share of kick-outs around the middle, teed Emmett Boylan up for a left-footed point from play.
Ramor levelled with a Matthew Smith free on 46 minutes as they enjoyed their best spell of the match but Crosserlough showed no signs of panic and regained the lead when James Smith gathered a long ball and sent over.
Heading down the home stretch, Crosserlough stretched their legs. A huge fetch from the imperious Rehill saw him lump in a long ball; Smith may have got a touch but it seemed to go all the way to the net and that score broke Ramor.
Former county man Stephen Smith came off the bench and would play a vital role in closing out the match. He took a pass from Harry Boylan and sent a shot inches over the crossbar to make it 1-5 to 0-3 with five minutes remaining.
Ramor were by now running out of road and Crosserlough powered home. A James Bradley free was cancelled out by a 50-metre Matthew Costello free and, deep in injury time, the game was put to bed when another direct delivery broke to Stephen Smith, who dribbled it soccer-style before side-footing past Liam Brady to wrap up a deserved 11th Senior Championship title for the Kilnaleck-based side.
Crosserlough: Shane McManus, John Cooke, Conor Rehill (1-0), Fionn Lovett, Cian Boylan, Patrick O’Reilly, Kieran Smith, Emmett Boylan (0-2, 1f), Peter Smith, Oran Rehill, Dara McVeety, Harry Boylan, Brandon Boylan (0-1f), James Smith (0-1), Matthew Costello (0-1f).
Subs: Eoin Cusack for O Rehill (44), Stephen Smith for E Boylan (50), David Shalvey for K Smith (57), Ryan Galligan for P Smith (60)
Ramor United: Liam Brady, Matthew Magee, Adam O’Connell, Damien Barkey, Ben Smith, Jack Brady, Mark Magee, Enda Maguire, Brían O’Connell, James Bradley (0-1f), Eoin Somerville, Conor Bradley, Cathal Maguire (0-1), Adrian Cole, Matthew Smith (0-2f).
Subs: James Brady for E Somerville (8), Gareth Mannion for C Bradley (17), C Bradley for C Maguire (30, inj.), Sean Brady for B O’Connell (35, inj.), Lorcan Lynch for B Smith (temp, 51).
Referee: Barry McMenamin.
