The Cole family form an integral part of the fabric of Ramor United GFC, one of the county's youngest clubs. Breffni Blue caught up with four family members - Ray, Shane, Ado and James [McEnroe] to discuss the significant progress made during 2008 and look forward to what could prove a fruitful '09 for the re-emerging Virginia outfit. Two-thousand-and-eight represented a definite step forward for Ramor. The sleeping giant stirred once more, rousing from slumber, stepping purposefully from the dark shadows. By eclipsing none other than Cavan Gaels in a landmark all-county U21 FC final, Ramor laid down a bold marker. A fearless young side also reached the semi-final stage of the SFC for the first time in 16 years and claimed the Division Two league crown. All in all: a good year's work that could provide the beginning of a bright new era. The irrepressible Coles were prominent for their club in '08 - and will be once more in the months ahead. Long-serving, peerless full back Ray Cole is confident that Ramor have the makings of a good young team on their hands at the moment: "There's a good bunch of young lads coming through and they're playing good football. The core of this team is in the 17-26 age group, with only two or three older fellas like myself, so the signs are good for the future." Ray was delighted with how the club progressed last year, recalling: "The U21s beat Cavan Gaels in the county final in Kingscourt, which was a major boost. And after being beaten in the first round by Cuchullains, we went through the back door to the semi-final of the senior championship. That has given us lots of belief. We beat Gowna in the first round of the back door, which was a very big scalp for us." One of the problems with such an impressive season is that it often proves difficult to add to the progress. Does Ray accept that 2008 could be a hard act to follow? "It's going to be difficult to build on that, but you have to aim for at least a semi-final every year now. And we have the ability. The players know what it's like to play at that level now and they seem to be eager to keep it going. We'll try to improve each year." As the club's longest-serving player, Ray experienced SFC glory in 1992 - how would he compare the current crop to previous Ramor teams? "We had some great teams in the past and those championship-winning sides of '85 and '92 were packed with outstanding individual talent. We should have won more championships than just the two. We should definitely have added a few more in between. I think that team was a better one on paper, whereas this one is more of a team unit, solid all over but without the stand-out lads. "It's a good team and that reflects the great work that's going on behind the scenes from U8 level up. All that hard work is starting to pay off. All those underage teams are winning medals all the way up and that leaves the club in very good hands." How much does Ray enjoy playing alongside so many younger lads and how difficult is it to match their fitness? "It's nice to be able to play with them and see them coming along. I try to look after myself off the pitch and the three small kids keep me away from the pubs. Please God I'll be able to hold down my place again this year, if I stay fit and injury-free." At 38, Ray has given tremendous service to Ramor United. He also represented Cavan at U16, minor, U21 and senior levels. He's heartened by the club's emergence from a lean period, explaining: "We hadn't been in a semi-final since '92, so we're heading in the right direction. There was a dip after '92 when a lot of that team finished up and we had some barren years. However, this bunch of lads has come together now and we have lost very few of them along the way. But we're still relying on the same families we always depended on - Virginia is growing but there are very few new footballers coming into the area. "The outgoing chairman Gene Clancy did amazing work for Ramor. He oversaw the construction of four new dressing rooms in the clubhouse and the astro-turf pitch was also put in during his time. We're all grateful for what Gene did for the club. David McDonnell has taken over from him and I'd like to take this opportunity to wish him well." Alongside his brothers Sean, James and Eamonn, Ray is one of four directors of the family business, Virginia Transport, the renowned national and international (refrigerated and dry) haulage specialist. James starred at midfield on the SFC-winning sides of 1985 and '92. Today, his three sons are very much part of the club: John is U21 again this year and has collected an array of medals coming up through the ranks, while Kevin (U16) and Darren (U14) will no doubt don the club colours for many years to come. Sean is also a former Ramor player and SFC winner and two of his sons - Ado and Shane - are key components of the present side. Full forward Ado (Adrian) has been on the Ramor first team for three years. Last year, he collected Division Two league and U21 championship medals to add to his U12, U16 and three minor league titles. He featured for Cavan at minor level in 2007 and is currently with the county U21 squad. A future Cavan senior if ever there was one, Ado is looking forward to helping Ramor make further progress in 2009: "We have a good young side with plenty of potential. Our goals for 2009 will be to try to finish in the top three in Division One and reach the senior championship final. We were very disappointed to lose the semi-final last year, so we're hoping to go one better. Things are going well under PJ Buckley and we're confident we can do well this year." Shane Cole has been on the Ramor first team for eight years, since he was 16. Equally comfortable at midfield or centre half forward, the former Cavan minor, U21 and senior player looks back on the '08 club season with much satisfaction: "It was a good year for Ramor. We managed to get promotion to Division One and we also reached a championship semi-final for the first time since 1992. Things are looking good. It's a young team and we're hoping to bring it on now. Most of us are still in our mid-20s and I'm sure Ray will be going strong for another couple of years. It's important that we push it forward now and don't lose any momentum. We'll be looking for a high finish in the league and a semi-final or better in the championship. We should be there or thereabouts this year. I don't think we'll be far off it." Midfielder/centre back James McEnroe has football in his blood, with a strong tradition in both the maternal and paternal sides of his lineage. A cousin of Ado and Shane, he too is a key part of the current Ramor crop. His mother Ann is the only sister of Sean, Ray, James, Eamonn and Brian Cole. His Dad Leo - from Oldcastle - played in the half back line for Meath and his uncle John McEnroe is another well-known Royal County gael. John and Leo played alongside each other in the half-back line as Meath beat London in the 1988 All-Ireland JFC decider, with John captaining that team. James, who is three months younger than Ado, was on the successful Ramor U21 and senior sides of 2008. He says: "The U21 championship gave the club a great boost at the end of the year. We beat the Gaels in the final and we hope to keep that sort of form going now." James McEnroe won Gerry Reilly and Fr Manning Cup souvenirs with Cavan at U16 Development Squad level and was on the county minor team for the past two years. He's on the U21 squad again this year along with Ado. He was invited into the Cavan senior fold this year but felt that the timing wasn't right: "I wasn't ready for that just yet. I'd love to play for the county in the future but I'm still a bit young and not quite strong enough at the moment. I hope to be ready next year and, if I am, I'll give it a good shot." While the past and present of Ramor have seen the Cole/McEnroe clan provide unbelievable service, the future is equally promising. James' young brother Neil (12) was on the U12 team last year and is with the U13s this time around. Seems there's plenty more where that came from! Tweet

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