Seneschalstown shocked

The reaction of the Nobber players, management and supporters at the end of this SFC encounter at Rathkenny on Sunday evening said it all in terms of what this victory meant. There were hugs and kisses, arms held aloft in triumph, shouts of joy as they savoured their first win since their return to the top level and while it was the shock result of the third round it was no fluke. This was a big day for the hospitable Rathkenny club who were hosting their first SFC for a some time and those who showed up got their money's worth with an entertaining encounter well refereed by former Meath manager Eamonn Barry. Leading 1-9 to 0-7 at the interval Nobber, inspired by a fine display from Brian Farrell, maintained their lead in the second-half through a combination of grit and skill. If current Meath coach Seamus McEnaney - who had been co-commentating for RTE Radio at the Antrim v Donegal game - had seen Farrell in this encounter he would surely be looking at him as a starter for the Leinster championship opener on the 5th June. Davy Cahill's side had heroes all over the field with the team's display underpinned by a tremendous workrate and will to win. Alan Farrell was another to stand out partly because of his two goals, the first a remarkable effort on 14 minutes. He stepped up to take a free from 10 metres inside his own half. Wind-assisted the ball sailed into the net without anyone getting a touch. His second arrived on the 48 minute. The impressive Gavin Farrelly, Padraig Weldon, Niall Farrell were involved in a move that ended with Brian Farrell brought down in the square. Alan Farrell brilliantly converted the spot-kick arrowing the ball into the corner. Niall Farrell, James Owens and Darren Lambe also split the posts to add to Nobber's account. Seneschalstown enjoyed plenty of possession, but were constantly hurried and harried by the tenacious Nobber defence. The Yellow Furze side could only manage three points from play, from Stephen Finnegan, Joe Sheridan and David Hosie while Brian Sheridan, Shane Clarke and Brian Clarke contributed the rest from frees. Finnegan and Brian Sheridan forced good saves from Nobber netminder Christopher Reilly, but they couldn't make the breakthrough. Instead it was Nobber who netted twice - and how they savoured the win. Nobber - C Reilly; P Weldon, B O'Reilly, A O'Brien; P McEntee, C Clarke, B Meade; A Farrell (2-0 one penalty), G Farrelly; N Farrell (0-2), B Heffernan, G Campbell; J Owens (0-1), B Farrell (0-8 four frees, one sideline), D Lambe (0-1). Subs - F McEntee for Campbell 25 mins, R Shiels for Meade 41m. Seneschalstown - D Lyons; C Gleeson, C Noonan, G Sheridan; P Carey, G Conlon, J Byrne; R Ruddy, B Sheridan (0-5 frees); S Sheridan, P Watters, S Finnegan (0-1); B Clarke (0-4, frees), J Sheridan (0-1), S Clarke (0-2 frees). Subs - D Sheridan for Watters half-time, A Gleeson for Ruddy 49m, D Hosie (0-1) for S Sheridan 54m. Referee - Eamonn Barry (Walterstown).