Nobber 2–7 (13) Dunshaughlin Royal Gaels 1–15 (18) (After Extra Time)

Monday evening saw the Nobber Ladies welcome Dunshaughlin Royal Gaels to town for the Junior G semi-final under the lights. And what a night it turned out to be — football, drama, and even a few beeping car horns to top it off!

Things started nervously for the black and ambers as it took a little while to find their shooting boots. Dunshaughlin nipped ahead with two early points, but then midfield engine Noelle Hanna said enough was enough and buried the ball in the back of the net to settle the nerves. From there, it was end-to-end stuff. Lisa Lipscombe was everywhere — tackling, carrying, and bossing midfield like she was on a mission. Bridget McCormack slotted a lovely score, and Eleanor Gallagher popped over two beauties to give Nobber a slender two-point lead at the break.

Half-Time Nobber 1–3 (6) Dunshaughlin Royal Gaels 0–4 (4)

The third quarter wasn’t nobber’s Blood strongest, with just one score from the ever-reliable Gallagher. But in fairness, the crowd were kept well entertained as the game turned into a nail-biter. With every kick and block, the atmosphere lifted, and when Gallagher added further points with one in the dying minutes to make sure that this game was not over. In defence, Rhona Murphy kept her cool as usual, while Edel Halpin and Grainne Weldon were tenacious as always and made life difficult for their opponents.

Full-Time (60 minutes): Nobber 1–6 Dunshaughlin Royal Gaels 0–9 

And so to extra time — where things really came alive! Step forward Anna Hughes, who picked up the ball 20 yards out and decided to test the net’s durability. Her high shot dipped wickedly into the top corner, and the place went wild. Car horns could be heard all the way to Kingscourt, and there were a few sore throats around the ground after that one! Gallagher added another free for good measure, and it looked like Nobber were marching on.

But sport can be cruel. Dunshaughlin found another gear late on, scoring a handful of points and a goal to pull clear and seal the win.

While the result didn’t go the black and ambers way, every single Nobber player left it all on the pitch. The management trio of Ronnie Clements, Paddy O’Reilly, and John Clarke had the team flying, while special mention goes to Elaine Roe Curtis, our tireless, hard-working liaison officer, who keeps the whole show on the road behind the scenes.

It wasn’t our night, but the pride in the jersey was there for all to see. Nobber supporters left the ground knowing this team is only going one way — forward. 

Nobber: Rhona Murphy, Edel Halpin, Sarah Monaghan, Grainne Weldon, Niamh Owens, Lisa Lipscombe, Edel Curtis, Louise Mulligan, Noelle Hanna, Samara Hutchinson, Eleanor Gallagher, Bridget McCormack, Emily McEntee, Anna Hughes, Emily Hanratty.

Subs: Arlene McCormack, Caoimhe Weldon, Katie Owens, Aisling Shannon.

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