IFC quarter-final: Nobber oust Gaeil Colmcille

October 05, 2009

Nobber's Brian Farrell
Nobber 1-11 Gaeil Colmcille 2-7 Two Gerard Campbell points in the latter stages of this keenly contested IFC quarter-final at well-appointed Moynalty earned Nobber victory over Gaeil Colmcille by the narrowest margin. Matters didn't bode well for wind-assisted Nobber when they trailed by five points, 1-5 to 2-7, after 42 minutes. In the time remaining Darren Fay's charges kept their opponents scoreless while tagging on six points without reply. Points from Niall Farrell (free) and Gavin Farrelly trimmed the deficit to a goal going into the final quarter. Brian Farrell cut the gap even further from a free but was wide with an attempt from a '45' after Brendan Heffernan's goal attempt was blocked by Gaeil Colmcille corner-back Stephen Hanney. When Brian Farrell pointed from play in the 53rd minute the margin down to the minumum. Two minutes later came the first of Campbell's brace of scores. Within seconds the same player put Nobber in front for the first time since the 24th minute of the opening period. There were no further scores while an effort from wing-back Declan Smith was the closest Benny Reddy's men came to forcing extra time. A brace of Brian Farrell points (one free) got Nobber of to a bright start. When his brother Niall sent over it was 0-3 to 0-0 after 11 minutes. Gary Arkins opened the Kells-men's account from a free moments later. Then Stephen McManus pointed from play. Gaeil Colmcille hit the front when Brian Hanlon netted from a 17th minute penalty kick awarded for a foul on McManus. Two minutes later Nobber were back in front when Colin Clarke pounced on a mistake by Gaeil Colmcille 'keeper David Drew. A Niall Farrell free doubled Nobber advanage but it proved to be their final score of the half. Gaeil Colmcille closed out the half with 1-2. A second Hanlon goal restored their lead before Arkins and McManus left it 2-4 to 1-4 at half-time. Despite playing against the elements, Gaeil Colmcille went five points clear by the 35th minute with Stephen Reddy (free) and Hanlon registering. Brian Farrell (free) and Martin Barrett exchanged scores before Nobber's late burst saw them advance to the last four. Nobber - C. O'Reilly; P. Weldon, B. O'Reilly, A. O'Brien; P. McEntee, P. Clarke, R. Shiels; A. Farrell, G. Farrelly (0-1); G. Campbell (0-2), A. Hayes, B. Heffernan; N. Farrell (0-3, fs), B. Farrell (0-5, 3 fs), C. Clarke (1-0). Sub - G. Weldon for O'Brien (ht). Gaeil Colmcille - D. Drew; B. Tormay, R. Flanagan, S. Hanney; C. Keegan, M. Foley, D. Smith; P. Ward, D. O'Neill; S. Reddy (0-1, f), M. Barrett (0-1), B. Smith; G. Arkins (0-2, 1 f), B. Hanlon (2-1, 1-0 pen), S. McManus (0-2). Subs - D. McGovern for Reddy (48), S. Curran for Keegan for (52), J. Gallagher for O'Neill (54). Referee - P. Clarke (Seneschalstown).

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