U21FC final: Nobber are too much work for Kilbride
November 20, 2017
Nobber's Sean Meade and Kilbride keeper Craig Manning collide during the Meath U21 C football championshipo final at Pairc Tailteann.
Nobber were too good for Kilbride in the U21F C final at Pairc Tailteann early on Sunday afternoon.
Nobber ........ 1-20
Kilbride ........ 1-11
John Tiernan's men laid the foundations in the first-half when outscoring Kilbride by 1-11 to 0-3. Thereafter Kilbride shaded the scoring by 1-8 to 0-9 but never looked like bridging the gap.
By the end seven players were on the scoresheet for Nobber with Sean Meade leading the way with 1-7. He worked well well Jordan Morris who put six points to his name.
Thomas Murtagh's athleticism contributed significantly to the outcome and with midfield partner Jack Condra shared four points.
Kilbride made two changes in their forward line before the break. By the end their replacements contributed 1-4, half of their tally.
Nobber were 1-15 to 0-6 clear by the there-quarter stage. Kilbride's resolve was rewarded with 1-5 in the final minutes that included nearly nine minutes of stoppage time.
Sub Aaron Dunne netted for Kilbride in the 56th minute, though there appeared to be a 'square' infringement in the build-up.
The board read 1-18 to 1-10 at that point. In the prolonged added time Nobber closed the scoring through Morris and Condra.
Defending the old swimming pool end, Nobber were first to show through midfielder Thomas Murtagh. Five minutes later Sean Meade fired low to the Kilbride net from close range with Jordan Morris providing the assist.
With no wind or sun to impede either side, Nobber looked the superior side in the opening quarter. After 15 minutes it was 1-3 to 0-2.
Nobber tagged on eight points before Kilbride registered their next score. All of the Dublin-border outfit's first-half scores came from midfielder David O'Leary. The third came from a stoppage time free.
By half-time Sean Meade had outscored Kilbride on his own with 1-4, half of Nobber's tally to that point. Four other Nobber players were on the scoresheet before the interval arrived.
Nobber - Aidan Shields; Tony McEntee (C), Ryan Hughes; Bernard O'Reilly, Dean Halpin (0-1), Darragh Cassidy (0-1); Jack Condra (0-2), Thomas Murtagh (0-2); Paul Carolan, Sean Meade (C) (1-7, 0-3fs), Sam Ogunbe; Jordan Morris (0-6,1f), Cathal Bennett (0-1). Subs - Cormac Clarke for Bennett (60 + 6), Cathal Fox for Carolan (60 + 6), Michael Bradley for Ogunbe (60 + 8).
Kilbride - Craig Manning; Ronan O'Leary, Jack Donnelly (C); Paul Donnelly, Dean Stapleton, Jamie McWeeney; David O'Leary (0-3, 1f), Callum McGovern (0-1); Joseph Donnelly, Michael Farrell (0-3, 1f), Brendan Courtney; Colin O'Neill, Conor Storey. Subs - Cadhla McKenna (0-2) for Storey (26), Finn Hughes for O'Neill (26), Aaron Dunne (1-1) for Courtney (ht), Karl Stapleton for P Donnelly (41), Cian Harford (0-1) for Joseph Donnelly (57), P Donnelly for Jack Donnelly (60 + 6).
Referee - Patrick Melia (Trim).
