Nobber 3-8  Walterstown 0 -16 

A truly remarkable game took place on Saturday evening in Pairc Colmcille, Kells where Nobber faced off against Walterstown in what may go down in the history books as one of the great comebacks by any team. A game that will not be forgotten by players, management, and supporters alike on both sides for a long time.

Walterstown led by 12 points at one stage early in the second half (0 – 14 v 0 – 2), supporters on both sides could almost sense the inevitability of the result but the North Meath men had different ideas and showed huge levels of character, strength and, never say die spirit to keep battling away until the final whistle.

Played under beautiful sunny conditions on an impressive pitch Walterstown started the brightest and ran into a 6 v 1 lead after 17 minutes of play. Nobber’s only score in the opening quarter came from a placed ball that Sean Meade converted. The black and ambers struggled to contain the Walterstown attack in the opening half and their lively forwards kicked some impressive scores into the town end goals. Meade converted another free on 21 minutes for Nobber but Paddy Bates’ charges were the second-best in the opening half. A black card for the Deesiders didn’t help their cause but they continued to battle hard through their influential centre back Niall Farrell driving them on although unfortunately this wasn’t reflected on the scoreboard.

Half-Time Score – Nobber 0 – 2 Walterstown 0 – 11

Both teams traded scores in the third quarter and although Nobber showed signs of improvement, in most spectators’ eyes the game was out of their reach. Dale Larkin, Dean Halpin, and Meade kicked some fine scores between them. With 12 minutes remaining on the clock, Walterstown still held a healthy lead (0 – 14 v 0 – 5). Meade tapped over another couple of scores to leave 8 between the sides with 6 minutes remaining. With some spectators having seen enough and wanting to avoid the evening traffic rush they departed for home. Step forward midfield maestro Thomas Murtagh – the bearded giant had other ideas. He coolly collected the ball, made a darting run through the middle, and guided the ball into the top corner of the net. Fast forward a minute later and up stepped Jamie Owens. The former Meath minor and under-21 star caused havoc in the Walterstown full-back line when introduced in the second period. Having received a highball lofted into him he quickly turned, leaving his marker behind him, and blasted high into the net to leave 2 points between the sides. Veteran Brendan Heffernan finished off a fine team move to leave the minimum between the sides.

Walterstown responded with a score of their own to leave 2 between the sides leading into injury time (a dangerous lead). Owens wasn’t finished however and whatever he has been eating in China the past number of years certainly worked a treat. He used his strength and power to hold off his marker once again after receiving a pass and quickly turned and coolly slotted the ball low and hard past the Walterstown goalkeeper putting the whole ground into disbelief and shock at what they had just witnessed. The referee shortly afterward blew the final whistle in one of the most dramatic finishes to a game.

The black and ambers showed an incredible never say die spirit with an overall great workmanlike mentality by the whole squad led by Dary Hutchinson, brothers Seamus and Eanna Fagan, Niall Farrell, Thomas Murtagh, and Sean Meade. A great team effort overall.

The Nobber men now advance to a semi-final where they will face Dunshaughlin on Saturday, October 1 in Pairc Tailteann.

Everyone at Nobber GFC would like to thank people for coming out to support the team and would also like to wish Jack Condra a speedy recovery from his unfortunate injury.

Nobber: Dary Hutchinson, Seamus Fagan, Eanna Fagan, Barry Cassidy, Barry Bradley, Niall Farrell, Dean Halpin (0 – 1), Thomas Murtagh (1 – 0), Alan Farrell, Lorcan McEntee, Sean Meade (0 – 5, 3F), Dale Larkin (0 – 1), Jojo Ogunbe, Declan Shields, Brendan Heffernan (0 – 1).

Subs used: Jamie Owens (2 – 0) for Lorcan McEntee, Kian Donohoe for Alan Farrell.

Tweet

Most Read Stories