Nobber 1 – 4 (7) St Vincents/Curraha 4 – 15 (27)

The newly formed Nobber adult ladies' team in the first season of operation marked history on Saturday, May 17, as they reached their first-ever comprehensive final. The result may not reflect the joyous and historic occasion that this was for the Paddy O’Reilly/Ronnie Clements/John Clarke-managed outfit.

On what was an ideal summer's evening for football, a huge crowd turned out to watch this Meath LGFA Division 9 league final encounter played in Ardcath. St Vincents/Curraha started the brightest in the opening 10 minutes, opening up a big lead by 1 – 4 v 0 – 0. Captain Eleanor Gallagher got the black and ambers on the scoring chart after 12 minutes with a well-taken free. Macaire Hutchinson – the best goalkeeper in the Hutchinson family was busy with the St Vincent/Curraha forward line relentlessly causing lots of problems for Nobber’s defence.

County Louth native Lisa Lipscombe, who enjoyed her week slagging her teammates and celebrating the wee county's first Leinster championship success in 68 years, showed a good, ferocious attitude, along with the tenacious Fidel Halpin and centre back Sarah Monaghan, the O’Carolan College student. Further scores from Nobber in the opening half came from wing forward Katie Owens showing her brother Conor how the scoring is done, and a fine goal from midfielder Louise Mulligan.

Half-time score – Nobber 1 – 2 (5) St Vincents/Curraha 2 – 10 (16)

St Vincents Curraha continued to improve after the half-time interval and notched on a good few points. Full forward Anna Hughes raised a green flag for the North Meath ladies. Throughout the second half, Eleanor Gallagher – the former Rathkenny, North Meath Gaels and Dee Rangers star was prominent setting up attacks. Midfielder and vice-captain Noelle Hanna was central to contributing to a lot of good and promising aspects of play from the Deesiders. Nobber concluded their scoring with another fine point from full forward Anna Hughes, showing Brendan how it’s done.

A day that will be remembered by all the players, management, and supporters. The result may not have gone the way they wanted to but there are promising signs for this group of ladies for the future. They have a break now until the championship resumes later in the summer.

Nobber team – Macaire Hutchinson, Emily McEntee, Lisa Lipscombe, Fidel Halpin, Niamh Owens, Sarah Monaghan, Edel Curtis, Noelle Hanna, Louise Mulligan (1 – 0), Samara Hutchinson, Eleanor Gallagher (0 – 1), Katie Owens (0 – 1), Emily Hanratty, Anna Hughes (0 – 2), Arlene McCormack.

Subs used: Bridget McCormack, Rhona Murphy, Caoimhe Weldon, Aisling Shannon, Marie Smith, Kayleigh Smyth, Laura Corcoran, Lorna McEntee, Claire Keogan.

Panel includes the following – Leah Shannon Smith, Eireann Tierney, Laura Lipscombe, Grainne Weldon, Andrea Horgan, Anita Lennon, Eimear Clarke

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