It may have been a sojourn of a season too long, but Ramor United can now firmly feel the roots of terra firma of Division 1 securely under their feet after a superb Division 2 league campaign that not only saw them gain promotion but also rounded off their season with the league title. This return to the topflight of Cavan football is ample justification for the belief and work put in by the club's chairman, Gene Clancy and his executive who never lost faith in their players and always believed that as a club their rightful position was in Division 1. Gene, who has worked selflessly as chairman over the past four years, can look back on the achievements of the 2008 season with great pride at what Ramor United have achieved both at senior and underage level. To this end, the players and management team of PJ Buckley, Ciaran Mackin and Paddy McNamee all delivered in what could only be described as a year of success. According to the club chairman: "We had a focus from the beginning of the year and with a strong management team in place we felt that we could achieve our aim of getting out of Division 2. "Over the past few season we made a number of valiant attempts to gain promotion but fell short. This was something we were determined would not happen in 2008, and as they say, the rest is history. It was a great achievement gaining an automatic promotion spot but the crowning glory of the promotion race was defeating fellow travelers to Division 1, Redhills in the Division 2 league final. All in all, it is a year that the players and all those involved with the team should feel proud of as they now have the club back firmly in Division 1, where I think we should be capable of making an impact. "The decision of going it alone at underage level also proved to be worthwhile. The success achieved during the year was testament to great work put in by all coaches at all levels. The senior management team will be in-situ again for the 2009 season with Martin Lynch opting out from the senior set up to concentrate on underage coaching ," stated a justifiably proud Ramor chairman. 2008 was indeed an historic year for the club as they made the break from underage football with Lurgan one of the county's bastions of underage excellence to go it on their own. This historic decision was to prove to be a winning one. "From the start of the league campaign Ramor United were aware of the pitfalls associated with defeats and draws in this precarious division. The race for the two top spots could hinge on no more than four or five dropped points. Consistency was going to be the main ingredient for success and to achieve and sustain this effort, the players produced a commitment and drive that was to ensure success. The management team worked hard and their efforts received the response that was needed from the players which set us on our way to promotion. Our strong run in the league was something we felt would stand us in good stead for the championship," stated Gene. The senior championship saw Ramor take on neighbours, Cuchullains in the opening game. This eagerly awaited contest drew a large crowd who were treated to an exciting contest that saw the Meath border club edge out Ramor by 1-9 to 1-12. Now placed in a position of relegation play-offs, Ramor showed great spirit and determination when they overcome former county champions, Gowna by a goal in a high scoring and entertaining game. Ramor were full value for their 1-16 to 0-16 victory. With confidence high in the squad, they easily overcame the challenge of Lacken in the next round and now faced Castlerahan in the relegation final, the winners securing a place back in the championship proper. A gritty display in what was described as the most exciting championship game in Cavan during 2008, Ramor were worth their four point winning margin 1-16 to 1-12. The championship bandwagon now had its wheels firmly back on and with old rivals Kingscourt providing the challenge in the quarter final it was a game that had all the hallmarks of a titanic struggle. The high scoring fest saw Ramor forwards provide accuracy that was to set the seal of victory over a defiant Kingscourt Stars side. The final scoreline of 1-19 to 2-10 gave Ramor a deserved six point winning margin. The luck of the semi-final draw failed to favour Ramor as they drew the champions and favourites to win the title again in 2008, Cavan Gaels. It proved a game too far for Ramor but one in which they will look back and see that they displayed all their old championship qualities as they battled from an early first round defeat to go onto the semi-finals. This kind of experience can only stand them in good stead for the coming season. Following on their exit from the senior championship Ramor continued on their promotion quest in Division 2 and were duly rewarded when along with Redhills they gained the two top spots for automatic promotion into Division 1. The same two teams met at Joe Crowe Park, Lacken late in the season to play it out for the title of Division 2 champions. In conditions that were more suited to a south Asian monsoon, Ramor adopted much the better to the wet underfoot and driving rain as they kept their game plan simple with direct football. Holding the edge throughout the first half, the game was eventually ended when midway through the second-half, the ever alert Paddy McNamee was on hand to punish the Redhills defence for a crucial error as he pounced and fired his shot to the back of the net. From that point on there was really only one team in it and Ramor ran out deserving winners by 1-8 to 0-4. Promotion from Division 2, divisional champions and a semi-final spot in the senior football championship could surely be looked upon as a very successful year. Underage Success The brave decision to cut the umbilical cord of underage amalgamation with Lurgan proved to be one that the mentors at Ramor United will have no difficulty living with as their decision proved to be a winning one. The raison d'être behind the severing of links was to formulate a direct club identity from underage right through to senior level. Winning at underage level wearing the Ramor colours could only help foster a winning mentality for players as they move through the ranks. Well this kind of thinking could not have gotten off to a better start, as the club's first underage trophy was claimed in an historic and stunning U12 Roinn A final when Ramor outgunned Crosserlough by 3-14 to 2-3. The fledging young club, showed no signs of doubt or inexperience and from the start, powered past the challenge of Crosserlough and had this game firmly in their grasp at the end of the first quarter when they held a commanding lead of 2-6 no score. The once strong bastion of Cavan football, Crosserlough tried manfully to make a game of it but a dominant Ramor were not for turning. With fifteen minutes of this final remaining, it was clear that victory was out of reach of the black and amber as Ramor held a commanding twelve point lead. Victory was fully deserved and the composure displayed by this crop of young Ramor players augurs for the future of the club. Ramor United: Liam Brady, Niall Farrelly, Sean O'Reilly, Gary O'Reilly, Shane Quealy, Eoin Sommerville, Ben Nagle, Sean McDermott (1-0), Michael Smart (0-4), Conor Traynor, Conor Bradley (1-3), Ryan Mannion (1-2), James Brady (0-1), Cillian Maguire (0-3), Ciaran Daly (0-1). Subs used: Neil McEnroe, Jack Bell, Stephen Gargan, James Connell, Laurence Caffrey. The Ramor underage bandwagon continued on their winning ways, with another emphatic victory this time with in the U13 Division 1 championship. Just their like their winning U12s this team too had the ability to blitzkrieg past the challenge of Laragh United putting their opponents at a distinct disadvantage when the registered 2-1 in the opening nine minutes. Dominating the exchanges throughout this first half period, Laragh did not register their first score until the twenty-eight minute. Trailing 2-4 to 0-1 at the interval the magnitude of their task was further compounded in the opening minutes of the second half as Ramor rattled in two further goals to all but seal the faith of the Laragh challenge. To their credit, where lesser teams would have given up and gone home, Laragh United refused to do so and gamely making a fight of it, never conceding defeat until the final whistle. It was truly an awesome display by this young Ramor United side that never allowed their opponents settle and continually kept them on the back foot for practically the entire game. Ramor United: Liam Brady, Owen Sommerville, Michael Smart, Sean O'Reilly, Padraig O'Connell, Brian O'Connell, Brian Magee, Patrick Burgis, (0-2), Cathal Maguire, Sean McDermott, Patrick Geoghegan, Conor Bradley (2-3), Jack Doyle (2-0), Cillian Maguire (1-0), Ryan Mannion (1-0). Subs used: Conor Callaghan, James Brady, Niall Farrelly, Conor Traynor. The combination of Ramor United and neighbours, Munterconnaught proved to be a winning formula as they created a dint in the winning march of Cavan Gaels when they captured the Cavan U21 championship. This 1-12 to 1-6 victory was built on the back of a whirlwind start where they had registered 1-2 to 0-1. A dominant Ramor combination held the upper-hand for the entire first half, and was full value for their 1-6 to 0-2 half time lead. While the Gaels did make a fight of it in the second-half they really never troubled their opponents and despite a goal and four points could not muster a sustained effort to really trouble the champions elect. This was a deserved six point victory for Ramor was some consolation for their defeat at the hands of the Gaels at semi-final stage of the senior championship. Ramor - Munterconaught: Matthew McWeeney, Colm Murphy (0-1), Stefan Connolly, Raymond Farrelly, Joseph Hopkins, Damien Barkey, Christopher Sheils, James McEnroe, Michael O'Reilly, Stephen Sheridan (0-1), Stephen Monaghan (0-4), Donal Farrelly (1-0), Shane O'Reilly (0-2), Adrian Cole (0-3), Paul Queally (0-1). Subs: Vincent McCabe for Michael O'Reilly. Development 2008 will be remembered not only for the club's promotion back to Division 1 and going it alone at underage level but also for the magnificent development which was completed during 2008. A new state of the art complex which boasts four new dressing rooms with all the required facilities for referees, toilets, gym and meeting room now sets Ramor United up as one of the most up-to-date clubs in the county. The recent completion of two astro playing pitches have given the club a new dimension and provided an area where they can generate much needed income. Also, the completion of a playground which was done in conjunction with Cavan County Council is proving to be a facility which is greatly used by all the community. Tweet

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