line. Redhills (SFC v Ramor United): Fintan Reilly; Barry Murphy, Alan Brady, Ciaran Smith; Andy Dunne, Joe Callan (0-1), Pierce West (0-1); Cormac Brides, Derek Fay (0-1); Kieran West, Colin Reilly (0-2), Killian McSherry; Rory Dunne (1-2), Paddy Gumley (0-4), Fergal McDermott. “After the disappointment against Castlerahan, we wanted to play well in the Ramor game even though it didn’t make a difference to either team,” said Smith. “I think they actually only played 20 minutes a side that day in Cootehill, but we did put in a very promising second-half performance. Had we won the first game in the group against Drumgoon maybe things would have been different for us, but that’s how it goes. Hopefully, next year we can improve on our results. He added: “When you have the likes of Packie Leddy coming back for the junior final and scoring five points, after spending the summer in Boston, it just shows that the players are there in the club. I personally would be very optimistic for next year. The likes of Conor Sheridan and Luke McEntee are bright prospects and hopefully they can continue to improve and represent the club at senior level in a couple of years.
CHAMPIONSHIP GLORY FOR JUNIORS In September, Redhills claimed a coveted Junior D Championship title when they overcame Laragh United’s stern challenge at St Aidan’s Park. Redhills’ campaign began to gather momentum at the end of August when they defeated Ballymachugh convincingly by 1-7 to 0-3 in the quarter-final, before ousting Shercock by 1-10 to 1-3 to book their place into the championship decider. They would come up against a Laragh side in similar form, having
overcome Arva in their respective semi-final by 2-12 to 2-5 after receiving a walk over in the last eight against Templeport. Both teams would journey to Bawnboy for the final which saw Redhills make the better start when county U21 ace Packie Leddy, fresh back from a summer stint in Boston, put former senior captain Adrian Fitzpatrick through for the opening point. Andrew McMahon doubled the lead moments after, but Laragh weren’t about to let their opponents run up a big lead as they levelled by the quarter hour mark. Brendan Leddy kicked the would-be winners back in front, before Laragh won a penalty which was sent wide by Noel Smith with James Brady standing tall in goal. The Stradone men looked to make amends by shooting the next two points, but a well struck free from Packie Leddy kept the teams even at 0-4 apiece for half-time. Ruairi Power sent Laragh into the lead early in the second-half and they stretched it to three coming towards the final quarter. A young and talented Redhills outfit had a big finish in them though, with their speedy forwards now finding a knack for earning frees, as Packie Leddy and Brendan Leddy ushered them back in front with some great scores before teen substitute Luke McEntee tapped over a free under a mountain of pressure. Laragh hit back with a hard-earned point, but another precision free from ‘Man of the Match’ Packie Leddy ensured that the crown would be heading back towards the border. Redhills (Junior D final v Laragh United): James Brady; Francis Fitzpatrick, Mark Smith, David Faulkner; Des Gumley, Adrian Fitzpatrick (0-1), Martin Brady; Pauric Rudden, Packie Leddy (0-5), Gary Kelly, Brendan Leddy (0-2), Declan Smith, Andrew McMahon (0-1). Sub: Luke McEntee (0-1).
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Mary Reilly with granddaughter Naofa
Junior D winning captain Mark Smith
Manager Raymie Johnston