Ramor United

The Story of Ramor United began in 1971, when the 3 clubs in the parish – Maghera McFinns, Lurgan GFC and Virginia Blues amalgamated for the Senior Championship only. This coming together cumulated in the Senior Championship coming to the parish of Lurgan as a whole for the first time in 1974.

Following from this, a new sense of parish effort evolved. A well attended meeting in the Courthouse in Virginia in 1976, under the chairmanship of County Board Chairman, Paddy C Donoghue, saw the very large enthusiastic crowd from all corners of the parish favouring a more permanent alliance, namely Ramor United GFC, as a single parish club.

On that historic night, the officers elect for this new Parish club were:

Chairman: Owen Hanratty

Vice-Chairman: Patsy McDonnell

Secretary: Ned Duffy

Assistant Secretary: Peader Smyth

Treasurer: Jim Brady

The name “Ramor United” was chosen as it represents Lough Ramor and its embodiment through the Parish, just like Ramor GFC would represent the parish as one entity.

Ramor United soon built itself up as a force to be reckoned with within the county. This was emphasised by the capturing of the Junior B Championship in 1978, and both the U-21 Championship and Senior Division 2 League in 1980.

In 1982, under the chairmanship of Patsy McDonnell the club bought the “Football field” from Dick McDonnell, a former Virginia Blues player. The deal allowed the staggering of payment over three years. Huge fundraising was undertaken by the committee and the target was met. The hard working members were already planning the development of the field; the galvanised fence along the road was removed and replaced by a beautiful hedge. A viewing stand, dugouts, goalposts and a railing around the field were erected by the club members.

A further acre of ground was purchased for a clubhouse and car park. The new clubhouse was designed by local clubman Jimmy Costello. It now has a fully equipped gym and is often used by other clubs. The clubhouse and football field were officially opened by Peter Brady County Board Chairman on the 6th May 1990. It was a proud day for the club and a credit to committee members, players and supporters. The grounds received the “most improved grounds award” from Cavan Co. Board in 1991.

In the mean time Ramor continued to prove themselves where it matters – on the football pitch, by winning a historic double in 1985, with the capturing of the Senior Championship and the Senior League Division 1 and repeating success in 1986 with the capturing of the Senior League. Team manager was the well-loved and respected Fr. Tom McKiernan. The buzz and excitement within the club around this time, supported by brand new club facilities and an air of confidence within the team meant that Ramor were up there with the top guns in the county.

The 1990’s started triumphantly for the Virginia side winning the Division 1A league title both in 1990 and 1991. 1992 was to be Ramors year when a young, vibrant team, mixed with experience, and under the guidance of former player John Mulvanny, captured the Senior Championship beating Bailieboro by a single point in the final. The icing on the cake was the capturing of the prestigious Denn Tournament, which is renowned for attracting the best talent of the neighbouring counties.

The first slotto draw was launched in the Ramor Lodge Hotel on the 21st. February 1993. It proved to be a weekly fixture rotating to a different local venue every week. To this day the slotto draw is a credit to all those who have worked tirelessly to make it a success. These include ticket-sellers, local businesses, club members who organised the venue, setting up of equipment and those that posted the results.

The Slotto has become the main fundraiser for the club and it was with this confidence that, in the fall of 1993, a piece of land – about 5 acres adjacent to the clubhouse became available, the club bought the land including access to the lake. The development of the 2nd pitch involved drainage and levelling work which was carried out by Luke O’Reilly contractors under the guidance of the hard-working grounds Committee including Pat Joe Monaghan, Frank Dolan, John O’Reilly and Larry Carpenter amongst others. In the past year a viewing stand with wheel-chair access and toilet facilities has been built on the 2nd pitch mainly by the grounds committee, with the only cost to the club being materials. At present, the new pitch is extensively used and has proved itself to be a great foresight by the Committee; the club also have a hard-core running track on the top pitch.

With regard to football honours, Ramor won the Denn Tournament again in 1994 and 1997. This brought a lot of satisfaction to the club, as the Denn tournament is held with high esteem with players and supporters alike.

The Juniors were worthy winners of the Junior B Championship in 1996 and retained their title in 1997. Ramor won the Senior League in 1996.

It must be noted the grounds and club facilities are a credit to the efficient officers and committees involved in the relatively short history of the club.

Committee Information

Role	Name	Phone	Email
Chairperson	Conor McCrystal	0868558691	EMAIL
Secretary	Annmarie Brady	0862406153	EMAIL
Treasurer	Ann Barkey	0868960625	EMAIL
PRO	Dermot Tynan	0879981279	EMAIL
Coaching Officer	Liam Brady	0868765469	EMAIL
Children's Officer	Michael O Hara	0872033529	EMAIL