Nobber/St Michael’s 2 – 9 (15) Ratoath 0 – 13 (13)

The Nobber/St Michael’s minor underage combination picked up their second trophy of the 2025 season on Tuesday evening last in county headquarters. Spectators were treated to an entertaining game of football served up by both sides, with the North Meath combination holding on for victory in a tense finish to an exciting game.

The opening 10 minutes was a tight affair with Nobber/St Michael’s building up a slight lead courtesy of scores from full forward Daithi McGovern, a well taken 45 kick from centre forward Fionn Murray, and a coolly slotted penalty by corner forward Sean Behan. Nobber/St Michael’s held the lead right up until the half-time interval, where Ratoath kicked a fine two-pointer to go into the break leading by one point. Diarmuid O’Malley, Murray once again, and the hard-working and tricky wing forward Stephen Dolan chipped in with a free also.

Half-Time Score Nobber/St Michael’s 1 – 5 (8) Ratoath 0 – 9 (9)

Both teams came out for the second period in a determined manner and made some well-worked and impressive scoring opportunities, some of which were taken well and some which went wide of the post. Tadgh Shannon Smith proved a menace for the Ratoath defence, and they found him hard to handle throughout the second half. The Nobber youngster finished a fine goal into the town end goals of the ground after 35 minutes to the delight of the Nobber/St Michael’s supporters.

Both sides traded possession throughout the second half, which made it an exciting watch for the neutral but tense for each of the management teams. Leading into the final quarter, there was little separating the sides with Nobber/St Michael’s leading by one point. The lively Fionn Murray, reliable from a placed ball, raised a couple of white flags. There was a good midfield battle between the Ratoath counterparts, and the Nobber/St Michael’s duo of Eoin Larkin and county star Korede Otubango.

All players from a Nobber/St Michael’s perspective played crucial roles throughout the evening, from goalkeeper to corner forward. Tadgh Shannon Smith finished the scoring for the North Meath men and ensured that they brought home their second trophy of the year. The Nobber/Carlanstown – Kilbeg outfit held on in the end for the win with Ratoath pushing hard for a goal and hitting the woodwork late on. Their defence fought hard with a great attitude and determination throughout, and this was evident in the closing minutes to help guide their team to victory

Nobber/St Michael’s Team – Josh Carolan, Jake Clarke, Leon McGovern, Caoimhin Clarke, Niall Rogan, Ciaran Reilly, Darragh Rock, Korede Otubango, Eoin Larkin, Stephen Dolan (0 – 1), Fionn Murray (0 – 4), Diarmuid O’Malley (0 – 1), Sean Behan (1 – 0), Daithi McGovern (0 – 1), Tony Shannon Smith

Subs used – Conal McEntee, Tadgh Shannon Smith (1 – 2).

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