Cavan Gaels 2-14
Ramor United 1-7

Relentless Cavan Gaels laid down a marker in the senior championship tonight as they crushed champions Ramor United with a double scores victory at Kingspan Breffni.

Jason O'Reilly's men cruised from start to finish with Paul Graham's brilliantly taken goal after seven minutes paving their path early on and from there they'd go on to boss things up to half-time when they led by 10.

Graham could have had a replica goal two minutes into the second-half, smashing over instead, as old reliables Martin Dunne (1-6) and Sean Johnston extended the lead to 13 while their compatriots at the back offered no way through for the holders' front men.

Most of the damage that Ramor carried out on the scoreboard came at a stage when the game was already over, with the excellent Niall Murray rounding off the 10-point victory for the Cavan town side with the last kick of the night.

O'Reilly's fired-up contenders started in the best possible fashion, with former Cavan minor captain Graham ripping through Ramor's centre and brilliantly controlling Dunne's pass with his toe to flick the ball up to himself and slip it coolly low beyond Aaron Farrelly for all three points.

It was a nightmare start for the Virginia men, who had battled to a late victory over Kingscourt six days previous, and while they pulled a point back on 11 minutes via the fist of Adam O'Connell things were about to get much more difficult for them.

Dunne sailed over a neatly struck '45' ahead of Adrian Cole and Stephen Monaghan shooting wides at the far end, which ended up being rare chances for the Meath border men, as Dunne and Johnston tapped over frees to convert the Gaels' pressure at their shooting end.

The 2014 winners were totally on top at the back by that stage, with Luke Fortune particularly eye-catching, and once Andy Graham and the energetic Murray found their range from some 40 metres of distance it was clear that this hotly-anticipated tie was only headed one way.

Paul Graham and Robert Maloney-Derham were bossing it at midfield to make matters worse for the trailers, helping to supply Murray with his second before Johnston had the lead at 10 for the first time on the half-hour mark.

Conor Bradley's 40-metre free ended an incredible 20-minute scoring drought for Micheal McDermott's side, but the Gaels would still go in ahead by double digits via another Dunne free, which had them leading by an unassailable 1-9 to 0-2 come the interval.

Paul Graham could have widened the gap to 13 within two minutes of the restart but blazed over Farrelly's crossbar instead of under. However, points from Johnston (free) and Dunne - the latter was a brilliant placed ball effort with the outside of his boot along the right flank - got them their anyway come the last quarter mark.

James Bradley's free got backed up by Jack Brady landing a fine score, but O'Reilly's charges weren't willing to let up as their continuous drives forward would reap them max profit one more time, with stray possession bobbling into Dunne's path for the ex-Cavan forward to do the rest.

That 50th minute major had the scoreboard reading 2-13 to 0-4 in the Terry Coyle Park men's favour and although their opponents would provide a strong finish, it wasn't a margin anyone would have anticipated with 10 minutes to go.

Conor Bradley's 55th minute free would be his last contribution of the night, seeing a straight red card a minute afterwards in the aftermath of a clash with Paul O'Connor. Referee Mickey Lee had acted on the advice of his linesman in the decision.

Lee would give Johnston his marching orders as well, as the result of a second caution, just prior to Ramor sub Shane Cole coming on and smashing over a gem towards the town end goal.

Adrian Cole would register his first point of the night (it also marked the sole score from Ramor's starting full-forward line) with a minute left in regulation and while sub Conor Farrelly and Eoin Somerville combined for a sorely needed goal for the holders in the third minute of injury-time, the former's strike would only act as consolation.

Murray capped off a fine display with his third point of the night and the Gaels' 14th and final, as the men from Cavan town well and truly sealed their berth quarter-finals after three comfortable wins from as many outings.

Cavan Gaels: Ciaran Flynn; Darragh Sexton, Niall Murray (0-3), Kevin Meehan; Luke Fortune, Barry Fortune, Levi Murphy; Paul Graham (1-1), Robert Maloney-Derham; Seanie Johnston (0-3, 2f), Micheál Lyng, Paul O'Connor; Kevin Brady, Andy Graham (0-1), Martin Dunne (1-6, 4f 1 45). Subs: Pauric Sexton for M Lyng (HT), Daniel Graham for K Brady (50mins), Shane Fortune for M Dunne (58).

Ramor United: Aaron Farrelly; Micheal Smart, Damien Barkey, Matthew Magee; James McEnroe, Eoin Somerville, Adam O'Connell (0-1); Stephen Monaghan, Anton Reilly; Conor Bradley (0-2, 2f), James Bradley (0-1), Jack Brady (0-1); James Brady, Adrian Cole (0-1), Shane Gaffney. Subs: Raymond Farrelly (1-0) for M Smart (HT), Jack Doyle for S Gaffney (HT), Shane Cole (0-1) for A Reilly (41mins), Kevin Mulvany for S Monaghan (41). Conor Farrelly for James Brady (46).

Ref: Mickey Lee (Drumalee)

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