NOBBER 2-18 CASTLETOWN 1-17 aet

FORMER county star Brian Farrell produced a virtuoso performance as Nobber made it back to the IFC final at Pairc Tailteann on Saturday for the first time since they lost to Ratoath in the 2015 decider.

In an incident-packed encounter Farrell contributed 2-10 in this extra-time victory.

The Nobber men proved that 15 was better than 13 as they survived two dismissals in normal time to see off their North Meath rivals when restored to a full quota of players for the additional 20 minutes.

The eventual winners were four points in arrears when they lost Alan Farrell to a harsh second yellow card on 28 minutes but they took control of proceedings in the second half only for victory to be snatched from their grasp when Kevin Ross converted a 35-metre free deep into added time. That late equaliser, following a foul on Killian Price, left it 1-13 to 2-10 and forced the game to extra-time.

Nobber were down to 13 at that stage after Brendan Heffernan was dismissed on receipt of a second yellow card.

Farrell continued to play an influential role in extra-time, added a further five points to seal his side’s place in the decider.

Points from Farrell and Barry Cassidy had Nobber ahead inside five minutes before Castletown settled into the match with a brace of points from Kevin Ross. 

Damien Ginnitty pointed Castletown ahead on 13 minutes and they strengthened their grip on proceedings following a goal from midfielder Shane Hoey on 17 minutes. They eventually led 1-6 to 0-6 at the break but that lead would have been greater had Nobber keeper Dary Hutchinson not denied Ross from the penalty spot shortly before half-time.

Ross converted a ’45 at the start of the second half but despite their numerical disadvantage Nobber got back into contention with a Farrell point (free) and then a goal from a Sean Meade pass on 35 minutes.

Jordan Morris then pointed Nobber ahead and they eventually led 2-9 to 1-9 after Farrell made no mistake from the penalty spot following a foul on Sean Meade.

That lead stretched to four points before Darren Finney kick-started a Castletown revival with a fine effort from long range on 55 minutes.

Further scores from Ross and sub Kenny Smith edged Castletown closer before Ross shot the levelling point four minutes into added time.

Gerry Campbell and Brian Meade came on at the start of extra-time for Nobber and boosted by two further points from Farrell they led 2-13 to 1-15 as the sides changed ends for the final time.

Campbell doubled the lead on the restart and with Farrell adding a further three points Nobber ran out deserving winners.

NOBBER – Dray Hutchinson; Padraig Weldon, Eanna Fagan, Paul Meade; Barry Cassidy 0-1, Brendan Heffernan, Alan Farrell; Jack Condra, Thomas Murtagh; Fiachra McEntee 0-1, Brian Farrell 2-10 (7fs, 1-0 pen), Andrew O’Brien; Colin Clarke, Jordan Morris 0-2fs, Sean Meade 0-2. Subs: Niall Farrell for Clarke (h-t), Stephen O’Brien 0-1 for Condra (42), Gavin Farrelly for P Meade (59), Gerry Campbell 0-1, Brian Meade, Cathal Cassidy for Weldon, Dale Larkin for McEntee (all e-t).

CASTLETOWN – Johnny Ginnitty; Noel Smyth, Robbie Hoey, Gerard Farrelly; Killian Price, Evan Hoey, Stephen Duffy; Shane Hoey 1-0, Declan Cribbin; Darren Finney 0-3 (1f), Kevin Ross 0-8 (5 fs, 1 ‘45), Damien Ginnitty 0-2; Barry Smith, Tommy Smith, Wayne Donegan 0-1. Subs: Kenny Smith 0-2 for B Smith (42), William Bellew for Duffy (BC 44), Francis Hoey for Donegan (e-t).

Referee – Andrew Smith (Dunshaughlin) 

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