Ready for that opportunity
December 31, 2004
Nobber's young guns aren't a million miles away from winning the Intermediate Football Championship judging by their performances in 2004.
A sense of bewilderment hung over the North Meath parish of Nobber for many weeks following the local team's exit from the Intermediate Football Championship at the hands of near-neighbours Wolfe Tones
This semi-final pitted the 2002 JFC winners Nobber, against last year's winners Wolfe Tones and all and sundry were predicting a close fought encounter. That the Tones finished with 11 points to spare is still the source of much musing along the banks of the Dee.
Wolfe Tones had beaten Nobber by four points in the group stages but nobody predicted they would run up a 3-11 to 1-6 winning tally in the semi-final. So what happened to Nobber on the day?
"On that evening in Navan the guys didn't do themselves justice. They had a wonderful 25-minute spell against Oldcastle in the quarter-final, where they built up 2-8 to 0-0 lead. We felt they would have to live up to that level of performance to beat Wolfe Tonnes and it just didn't happen on the night," club PRO George Kellett opined.
"We are not offering any excuses but Brian Farrell pulled his hamstring early in the match. He persisted with it until early in the second half, when he was replaced. If he had been fit for the whole game, we might have finished closer to them. But fair play to the Tones, they deserved their victory," he added.
Nobber got their IFC campaign off to bristling start when they scored a comprehensive victory over near-neighbours Drumconrath in Round 1.
There was little between the teams in the early stages, but when Jackie Maguire netted after his penalty attempt was parried, Nobber moved into the ascendancy. That strike put them 1-3 to 0-2 to the good after 25 minutes. By half time they had increased their lead, 1-7 to 0-2.
A Brian Farrell goal immediately after the restart effectively ended the game as a contest and Nobber ran out easy winners 2-13 to 0-5. "There would be lots of local rivalry attached to that match. The guys played tremendous football and were full value for their 14-point victory," George recalled.
Nobber maintained their blistering start when they steam rolled Curraha in Round 2. By half time they had clocked up an impressive 3-11 to 0-3. They tacked on another eight points after the resumption to finish with a 20-point winning margin 3-19 to 0-8.
Veteran Sean Carolan and Gavin Farrelly were masterful at midfield, while ace attacker Brian Farrell finished with a personal tally of 2-8.
The Deesiders made it three victories on the trot when they accounted for Ballivor at Pairc Tailteann in Round 3. Brian Farrell and Andrew Hayes were in sparkling form and contributed 10 of their 13 scores in a 0-13 to 1-8 victory. The margin of victory could have been even greater but for three fine saves from the Ballivor net minder.
Nobber were never behind in their Round 4 encounter at Dunsany, but Na Fianna who subsequently failed to qualify from the group, almost caught them napping.
It took a late point from play from Brian Farrell to secure their fourth IFC victory on the bounce on 1-8 to 1-7 scoreline. Centre half back Brian O'Reilly was impressive form for the winners while Thomas McCormack netted their first half goal.
Carnaross, who were beaten in three out of their four opening group games, provided Round 5 opposition at Carlanstown. On paper it should have been an amble in the park for Shane McEntee's charges, but Ollie Murphy inspired Carnaross had other ideas.
"Their backs were too the wall. Effectively they would have been out of the championship if we had beaten them. Their centre field was superb that day and then of course Ollie Murphy is Ollie Murphy," George recalled
"On the other hand we had four victories under our belt and we well on the way to the quarter-finals at that stage. We may have been a little over-confident going into that match and paid the price," he added.
For the record Carnaross prevailed by 1-12 to 1-8, having led 1-8 to 1-1 at the break. Andrew Hayes added to his growing reputation by hitting five points, while Brian Farrell weighed in with 1-1.
Nobber bounced back to winning ways in the penultimate group game when they disposed of Drumree at Dunsany on a 2-8 to 0-6 scoreline.
Thomas McCormack set the winners of their way when he netted after seven minutes. By half time they had increased their lead to 2-3 to 0-4 and finished 2-8 to 0-6 to the good.
In their final group game Nobber were pitted against Wolfe Tones who had notched six consecutive victories at Castletown.
Despite conceding two first half goals Nobber were still very much in the hunt at half time and trailed by just two points 2-6 to 2-4. However hard as they battled, Nobber couldn't bridge the gap and ended up on the wrong end of a 2-13 to 2-9 defeat.
Despite that defeat, their second in the group, Nobber comfortably qualified in second place behind Wolfe Tones who had full points from seven outings. Another North Meath outfit -Oldcastle - provided quarter-final opposition at Kells.
Nobber played some fantastic football in the opening 25 minutes of this free-riddled encounter. By halftime they had notched up a 2-8 to 0-2 lead and looked to be coasting into the semi-final.
However, Oldcastle mounted a spirited comeback after the break and managed to hold Nobber to just three points in the second period. But the damage was done in that opening 25-minute spell and Nobber ran out comfortable 2-11 to 1-9 winners.
Nobber's gallant run finally came to an end when they met Wolfe Tones once again in the semi-final. It proved a bridge too far for the Deesiders, but they can look on their second season back in the intermediate ranks with satisfaction.
Some of their football bordered on brilliant and if they can reach a high level of consistency they will be live contenders for the 2005 IFC championship.
George believes the long-term future of the team would be well served if they could achieve promotion from Division 3 in the league. "If we could get promoted it would mean we would be coming up against better opposition on a regular basis. Playing at that level would give the younger players on the team great experience and would certainly benefit them in the big championship games," he commented.
The return of Martin Curtis, who transferred back from Kilmainhamwood proved to be a big boost to the team. His experience and guile, along with that of veterans Sean Carolan, Declan McMahon, Michael Owens and Michael Reilly proved invaluable throughout the year, according to George.
"Martin Curtis proved to be a huge asset to us, while Sean Carolan has been Mr Consistency for many years, Declan McMahon, Michael Reilly and Michael Owens also played major roles," he added.
"When you add in the likes of Brian Farrell, Peter Olwil, Andrew O'Brien, Andrew Hayes, Brian O'Reilly, Paul Clarke, Gavin Farrelly and Brendan Heffernan, I feel there lots more to come from this team," he elaborated.
Nobber's Junior 'C' team also acquitted themselves well in 2004, going all the way to the semi-final, where they were beaten by a physically stronger Ratoath outfit after extra time.
"Early in the second half we were leading by seven points and looked very good, but they were an older and physically stronger team and that stood to them in the closing stages. They deserved their victory in extra time.
Dee Rangers the Nobber / Syddan combination at minor level also had fantastic year winning the MFL Div. 3 title defeating Curraha / St. Vincent's by 1-16 to 0-9 in the final at Walterstown.
"We had about 10 lads on the panel and about six regulars on the team. Tom Lambe, Gerard Carolan and Oliver Carolan where our mentors in the Dee Rangers set up and they did a great job," George noted.
At juvenile level Nobber also had a good year. The under 13's won the Div.4 league beating Ballinlough in the final. "The team was captained by Niall Farrell. Nine of that team are underage for the next two years. Little Aine Fagan was a star on the day. She is a tenacious little footballer and never gives up," he commented.
The club's under 10 team also had a good year picking up the Jody Farrell Cup in the Drumconrath tournament. "They beat Moynalty after extra time in a very exciting match."
He added: "There is s great underage structure in place and that bodes well for the future. Larry McEntee is the coach to all the underage teams and does tremendous work. James Halpin and Seamus O'Donoghue ably assist him. Tom Flynn is also involved and does great work.
"The future is looking extremely positive. Hopefully we can get out of Div. 3 next year and go on and win the intermediate football championship," he concluded.
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