JCAFC Div 7 final: Never say die Nobber end season on a high

Nobber captain Jonny Donohoe receives the JACFC Division 7 Cup from Tom McKeown at Castletown

Nobber 0 – 13 (13) Cortown 0 – 11 (11)

Better late than never they say – this can be said for this match report as Nobber supporters may have been eagerly waiting for this one to be published. The same saying – better late than never – can certainly be said for the black and ambers on Friday night last in their Meath GAA JACFC Division 7 final.

An astonishing final quarter from Sean Carolans’s charges seen the Nobber men take the trophy home on Friday night last played under ideal and calm positions in Castletown. A huge crowd turned out to watch this championship final, however there were very little scores in the first quarter. The predominantly yellow and white of Cortown looked the liveliest team in the first half and went into the half-time interval with a four-point lead. This may have been more but the Deesiders of Nobber knew if they could get things clicking, they may have a realistic chance of winning. Nobber registered their first score after 18 minutes of play from centre forward Joe Tierney and he followed this up with another placed ball on 24 minutes.

Half-time – Nobber 0 – 2 (2) Cortown 0 – 6 (6)

Whatever was said at half-time in the Nobber dressing room certainly worked in the end. The black and ambers made it difficult for themselves as Cortown went into a seven-point lead leading by 0 – 9 v 0 – 2 after 33 minutes. The introduction of the experienced trio of Colin Clarke, Alan Farrell, and Pauric Weldon brought a huge steely like drive and determination to the Nobber cause. The terrific trio who were key members of the Intermediate Championship winning team of 2010 were key members on Friday night also.

The black and ambers began to claw back the lead slowly but surely and became more involved around the middle third where they were second-best in the early stages of the game. Joe Tierney continued to notch over some points, Jojo Ogunbe and Korede Otubango show that their skill and registered key scores for the North Meath men. Arguably the turning point in the game was when the determined and tenacious defender Tony McEntee made a crucial goal line clearance for Sean Carolans’s charges. Nobber’s belief down to grow out of this moment when they proceeded down the field and registered a white flag.

Players began to believe, supporters began to believe and the Nobber roar seemed to be louder. Brendan Heffernan was determined to get his hands on another trophy and the firefighter showed serious movement around the field scoring some classy scores into the scoreboard end of the ground. Jamie Duffy finished a fine team move from a difficult angle and raised yet another white flag to the delight of the Nobber crowd. Further scores from Tierney, and Gordon Weldon clinched the victory for Nobber.

This game was a true example of never giving up, the black and ambers showed a never say die spirit, resilience and fought back against all the odds to take the victory. The cup was presented to Nobber stalwart and team captain Jonny Donohoe. Donohoe who has given years of service to the black and amber jersey was a proud and deserved recipient of the trophy. A huge West Ham United fan, afterwards he declared that this was one of the best moments of his career and he doesn’t care if West Ham never win a game again.

Congratulations to all players who featured throughout the campaign and to management on a successful end to the 2026 football campaign.

Nobber team – Niall McMahon, Gerry Campbell, Brian O’Reilly, Jonny Donohoe, Jojo Ogunbe (0 – 1), Brendan Heffernan (0 – 2), Adam Keating, Thomas Murtagh, Ryan Hughes, Korede Otubango (0 – 2), Joe Tierney (0 – 6), Colin Condra, Gordon Weldon (0 – 1), Jamie Duffy (0 – 1), Tony McEntee.

Subs used – Colin Clarke, Pauric Weldon, Alan Farrell, Cathal Fox.