Nobber 2 – 11 Longwood 1 – 13 

Nobber made the trip to Sean Newman Park, Bohermeen on Friday evening last for their second-round fixture in the Intermediate Football Championship against Longwood. The black and ambers were hoping for a better performance than the one they produced two weeks before in the same venue v Ballivor. The North Meath men showed great spirit, teamwork, and determination throughout the 60+ minutes that were played on the night.

The opening minutes of the game proved lively with both teams registering on the scoreboard. Nobber who were shooting into the Navan end goals of the ground in the first half slotted over some impressive scores from the lively Karl Casserly and wingback Kian Donohoe who was unlucky not to raise a green flag. As the game materialised Longwood pushed on and took a three-point lead (0 – 5 v 0 – 2). The Nobber men responded well with some great movement from the forwards and well-worked passing inside, Casserly, Joe Tierney, and Conor Owens all kicked some impressive scores to bring the North Meath men level on the scoreboard. There proved very little between the sides in the second quarter of the game, both sides traded scores with Longwood having the slight advantage going into the half-time break. Thomas Murtagh (2) and the experienced Jamie Owens kept the Longwood defence on their toes and both registered some fine scores for the Deesiders’.

Half-time score – Nobber 0 – 8 (8) Longwood 0 – 9 (9)

As both sides resumed after the half-time break, the game proved a very tight affair and there was very little separating the sides. Longwood continued to keep the scoreboard ticking over, but Nobber responded well every time with Jamie Owens, Dale Larkin, and Dean Halpin finishing off some fine team moves by Paddy Bates’s charges. The Fagan brothers (Seamus and Eanna), Niall Farrell, and the tenacious and hard-working Barry Bradley showed great determination to help drive the Nobber men forward. The game at times proved a feisty affair, with both sides giving everything in their power to register their first championship wins of the season.

As the intensity levels of the game rose the Nobber men dug deep and showed great strength throughout the field. Leading into the final three minutes Longwood led by a point (0 – 12 v 0 – 11). The North Meath men were awarded a penalty and the ever-reliable Niall Farrell stood up and took responsibility and finished calmly to the bottom corner of the net. The final minutes proved very tense and offered good entertainment for the spectators. Longwood responded with a score of their own. Conor Owens who recently completed the leaving cert found himself in some space running towards goal, brushed off the Longwood defender, kicked low and hard, and finished to the net to the joy of the Nobber supporters. To Longwood’s credit, they kept battling and got a goal of their own deep into injury time which left a very nervy finish for both sides. Lorcan McEntee, Colin Clarke, and Alan Farrell all contributed off the bench to Nobber’s cause. The black and ambers held on for a hard-fought win against a tough Longwood side.

Overall a great team performance from the Deesiders, the lads gave everything on the night and were rewarded with taking home the two points on offer and keeping their championship campaign alive.

Next up for Nobber in the third round is a trip to Slane where they face Walterstown on Sunday, August 27 at 12 PM.

Nobber team – Dary Hutchinson, Seamus Fagan, Eanna Fagan, Barry Cassidy, Kian Donohoe (0 – 1), Niall Farrell (1 – 0), Paddy Clarke, Thomas Murtagh (0 – 2), Dean Halpin (0 – 1), Conor Owens (1 – 1), Jamie Owens (0 – 2), Barry Bradley, Joe Tierney (0 – 1), Karl Casserly (0 – 2), Dale Larkin (0 – 1).

Subs used – Lorcan McEntee for Paddy Clarke, Colin Clarke for Karl Casserly, Alan Farrell for Joe Tierney.

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