Goalscorer and goalkeeper boost Nobber to SFC win

A goalscorer and a goalkeeper were just some of the key personnel at Castletown on Friday evening where Nobber shocked Simonstown Gaels with a 2-16 to 0-20 win and blew SFC Group C wide open.

It was a different brand of Friday night football from the one witnessed two weeks ago when the scoreline told the story as Keegan Cup champions Ratoath slammed Nobber by 5-21 to 2-6 at Pairc Tailteann.

Nobber were good for the opening quarter of that game, a feat they repeated against the Navan men and extended it sufficiently to lead by 1-9 to 0-11 at the interval.

Nobber goalscorer Sean Meade also claimed four points while goalkeeper Dary Hutchinson made one excellent save, a feat he doubled in the second-half.

Points from Jordan Morris (four) and Karl Casserly completed the Nobber tally.

Despite trailing at the break, Simonstown looked comfortable enough.

They had five Andrew Kearney points to their credit along with two from Rory Connor and one each by Sean Tobin ('45'), Ben Hoey, Shane O'Rourke and Nicky O'Brien.

The sides were level five times in the opening half, but only twice after the resumption as Nobber raised the tempo and intensity of a superb performance.

Hutchinson's save from Michael Gavin was the least likely outcome when the Simonstown man unleashed his effort early in the second-half.

That Hutchinson managed to deflect the ball out for a '45' was amazing and he used his feet to deny Conor Sheridan in added time with another good save.

Simonstown substitute Joe Lyons was also guilty of wayward finishing when a late goal chance was definitely on.

Jordan Morris was excellent throughout and he added three more points to his tally, but it was the second goal from Sean Meade ahead of the water break that really set Nobber on their way.

Sean Meade sent over two valuable points also with Paul Meade and Niall Farrell splitting the posts as well.

For Simonstown, 20 points would normally be good enough to win, but not on this occasion and they now face the prospects of tackling Ratoath in the next round.

Before that Ratoath have to play Skryne on Sunday, 2pm in Dunshaughlin after which everyone could be on two points ?

SCORERS

Nobber - Sean Meade 2-6 two frees; Jordan Morris 0-7 four frees; Niall Farrell 0-1; Paul Meade 0-1; Karl Casserly 0-1.

Simonstown Gaels - Andrew Kearney 0-8 three frees; Sean Tobin 0-4 three 45s; Rory Connor 0-3; Nicky O'Brien 0-2; Shane O'Rourke 0-1; Ben Hoey 0-1; Padraig McKeever 0-1.

TEAMS

Nobber - Dary Hutchinson; Cathal Cassidy, Eanna Fagan, Brian Meade; Paul Meade, Barry Cassidy, DSeamus Fagan; Niall Farrell, Alan Farrell; Ryan HUghes, Sean Meade, Karl Casserly; Aidan Shields, Jordan Morris, Brendan Heffernan. Subs - Paddy Clarke for Shields 52 mins, Mark Condra for Fagan 58m.

Simonstown Gaels - Robbie BUrlingham; Michael Gavin, Stephen Moran, Josh Carolan; Brian McGrath, Brian Conlon, Mark Gardiner; Sean Tobin, Rory O'Connor; Ben Hoey, Shane Barry, Nicky O'Brien; Rory Connor, Shane O'Rourke, Andrew Kearney. Subs - Conor Sheridan for Barry 36 mins, Joe Lyons for R O'Connor and James Kilcullen for Gardiner both 40m, Padraig McKeever for R Connor 50m.

Referee - Patrick Coyle (Curraha).

P W D L F A Pts

Ratoath 1 1 0 0 36 12 2

Simonstown 2 1 0 1 37 33 2

Nobber 2 1 0 1 34 56 2

Skryne 1 0 0 1 11 17 0

NEXT UP

Second round - Ratoath v Skryne

Third round - Nobber v Skryne; Ratoath v Simonstown.

RESULTS

First round - Simonstown 1-14, Skryne 0-11; Ratoath 5-21, Nobber 2-6.