GLIST: Cavan’s big day

Gowna take on Kingscourt in Sunday’s Cavan Senior Championship final and Niall Gartland takes a look back at the last 10 showpiece deciders.

Crosserlough 2-6 Ramor 0-4

A HORRIFIC day for football. The Tyrone, Fermanagh and Armagh deciders were all called off due to the severity of Storm Ashley, but Cavan ploughed on and not surprisingly, it wasn’t exactly game of the century. Indeed, the sides were deadlocked at 0-2 apiece at the interval with Ramor registering 11 wides even though they had the aid of the breeze (‘breeze is putting it mildly). Two second-half goals one of which was certainly weather-assisted – made the difference but Crosserlough were the better team on the day and claimed a deserved 11th senior title.

2023: Gowna 5-15 Kingscourt 0-13

IF you’re a Kingscourt fan, look away now as this doesn’t necessarily bode well for Sunday’s repeat meeting. Gowna absolutely cruised to victory, retaining their title with a facile victory two years ago. Gowna struck for a couple of quickfire goals in the first-half and had the game basically put to bed early in the second-half. The final stages were basically a procession. Bagging the goals were Tiarnan Madden (twice), Oisin Pierson, Darragh McConnon and Eoghan Hartin.

2022: Gowna 2-13 Killygarry 1-9

GOWNA ended a 20-year drought with a comfortable victory over Killygarry, appearing in their first blue ribbon final in 51 years. Gowna led by three points at the break and really should have been further in front, but they pressed on after the interval to seal victory. Singled out for praise by Anglo Celt Sports Editor Paul Fitzpatrick were the defensive unit, Ryan Donohoe and Cian and Conor Madden.

2021: Ramor 1-15 Gowna 0-14 (replay)

A TWO-PARTER this one. The two teams couldn’t be seperated in round one, so a replay was called for and the Virgina-based side claimed a hard-fought victory. They blitzed out of the traps, racking up 1-7 in the first-quarter, though Gowna came back into it to leave five points between the teams at half-time. Ramor played smart and controlled football after the break, and made sure of victory with a late insurance score from James Brady.

2020: Crosserlough 0-13 Kingscourt 0-8 (replay)

ANOTHER replay – this time behind closed doors due to the whole pandemic thing. The drawn match was a cracking game, but the replay was a more tentative affair. Two Crosserlough players in particular – James Smith and Mark Stuart – were in excellent form, however, as they held out to secure a first Cavan Senior Championship title in 48 years. The game was still in the balance on the home straight and Cavan footballer Paddy Lynch landed a late point to make doubly sure of victory.

2019: Castlerahan 1-9 Ramor 0-10

CASTLERAHAN were in their pomp at the tail-end of the last decade and secured back-to-back titles after a titanic tussle with their neighbours Ramor. Their opponents didn’t help themselves with a tota of 12 wides, but that’s not to detract from a solid performance from Castlerahan. An early goal from Oisin O’Connell was pivotal while Castlerahan, playing in their sixth final in five years (including a replay) maintained their nerve when the game was in the melting pot.

2018: Castlerahan 2-11 Crosserlough 1-13

A MOMENTOUS day for Castlerahan. Not only was this their first ever senior championship success, but it laid more than a few ghosts to rest after losing the previous three deciders. They didn’t make life easy for themselves on the big day of redemption, coming from six points down with 15 minutes to go to reach the promised land. Sean Brady and Oisin O’Connell landed the goals, Enda Flanagan struck three from play, and a word for Cian Mackey, the former Cavan star who finally got his hands on the title.

2017: Cavan Gaels 0-13 Castlerahan 0-8

THIS was some season for Cavan Gaels. Under the tutelage of Jason O’Reilly, they not only landed their latest county crown but they made it all the way to the provincial final, where they came undone against Sleacht Néill. They haven’t made it back to another senior championship title since, but in hindsight this was an Indian summer.

2016: Ramor 0-10 Castlerahan 0-8 (replay)

MORE misery piled on Castlerahan. These two teams played out an entertaining draw that ended 2-11 to 3-8 before a tenser affair in the replay. There was plenty at stake for both teams – Castlerahan were still searching for their maiden title, while Ramor were bidding for their first in 24 years. Ultimately, it was Ramor that prevailed, overcoming a four-point deficit to run out narrow winners with Ado Cole contributing four points from open play.

2015: Kingscourt 1-9 Castlerahan 0-11

KINGSCOURT’S last title. They trailed 0-5 to 0-2 after an untidy first-half, but they upped the ante at the break and edged their noses in front before a goal from man-of-the-match Philip Tinnelly with fewer than 10 minutes sent them on their way. Castlerahan battled to the bitter end but it wasn’t to be as Kingscourt got their hands on silverware.