O'Carolan lament as Kerry boys call the tune
After a series commanding victories O'Carolan College, Nobber had every reason to go into today's All-Ireland Post-Primary Senior C final with optimism.
After all they had chalked up some incredible scores on their way to the decider including an truly noteworthy, eye-watering 6-16 to 0-1 win over Tyrone side Dean Maguirc Carrickmore in the semi-final.
However like a horse leading in the Cheltenham Gold Cup only to fall at the final hurdle the Nobber school succumbed to St Patrick's, Castleisland today at Netwatch Cullen Park , 2-8 to 0-11.
With the prize within sight, they fell agonizingly short. They did, however, contribute to a sparkling game of football, full of fine scores and entertainment. A contest that had as much drama as a Shakespearian play.
Nobber led 0-6 to 0-3 at the interval but they found their opponents a different outfit completely in the second-half.
Castleisland had produced a decent enough performance in the opening 30 minutes but they really upped their game after the interval conjuring up the two goals that eventually sunk Nobber's brave attempts to land the silverware.
What a journey this has turned out to be for all concerned with the Nobber team. What impressive scorelines chalked up as the campaign unfolded, especially that win over Carrickmore.
There was never any chance the Leinster champions would get that kind of tally today in a game that was close and uncompromising throughout, factors that contributed to the entertainment value.
As they had clearly shown in previous games the Nobber attack was again impressive at times today with five of the starting forwards getting on the scoreboard with Rian Stafford showing the way with four points, two frees, while Adam Matthews, Daragh Kelly, Ben Reilly and Declan Reilly also fired over.
The problem was that despite their hard work and obvious talent the Nobber forwards just couldn't add more to their combined tally as they struggled to find time and space against a finely-tuned Castleisland defensive unit.
Apart from the forwards others who registered quality scores for the Meath side included the outstanding full-back Sean O'Hare and talented midfielder Rian McConnell who each garnered a point apiece.
The Kerry side were able to engineer two goals and they were real sucker punches as far as the Meath side were concerned. Devastating blows to their ambitions.
Both goals were scored by substitute John O'Connor, the first on 39 minutes when the Castleisland player stole in and palmed a high ball to the net from close range. That put his side ahead for the first time in the game, 1-5 to 0-7.
The second was fashioned by the Munster champions on 52 minutes. Again O'Connor found space and knocked the ball home from close range. That left it 2-7 to 0-10 and you could see the Nobber heads dropping. Understandably so. There was no over-taking the physically strong Castleisland side after that.
The closest Nobber came to getting a goal came after just 11 minutes when a super move ended with Ben Reilly getting a split-second chance in front of the posts.
He somehow managed to off-load his shot under extreme pressure but his effort was smothered and the chance was gone. Kelly also had a shot saved just before the interval. Again it was a split second opportunity, a half-chance at best.
With the breeze behind them Nobber led by two after 13 minutes and three at the interval but they couldn't shake their opponents off their tails.
Castleisland were adept at linking moves together and they almost worked one or two other goals with O'Carolan 'keeper Aron Monaghan called on to same smartly and bravely from Thomas Conway in the second-half.
Many of the Nobber scores were cleverly worked, smartly taken such as the one they registered in the 24th minute when McConnell had an effort rebound off the woodwork and the alert Kelly was on hand to slot over from the rebound.
What tremendous football Nobber produced at times, they just couldn't work that goal or two they needed to counteract Castleisland's two majors that ultimately proved so decisive.
SCORERS
St Patrick's, Castleisland - John O'Connor 2-0; Jack O'Donoghue 0-3; Cathal McElligot 0-2; Eoghan Shire 0-1; Cathal Brosnan 0-1; Cathal Sheehan 0-1.
O'Carolan College, Nobber - Rian Stafford 0-4 two frees; Adam Matthews 0-2; Declan Reilly 0-1; Ben Reilly 0-1; Daragh Kelly 0-1; Rian McConnell 0-1 free; Sean O'Hare 0-1.
TEAMS
O'Carolan College, Nobber - Aron Monaghan (Castletown); Cillian Oaks (Castletown), Sean O'Hare (Rathkenny), Darragh Smith (Kilmainhamwood); Ciaran O'Hare (Rathkenny), Killian Smith (Castetown), Corey Curtis (Castletown); Rian McConnell (Castletown), Killian Russell (Kilmainhamwood); Daragh Kelly (Castletown), Rian Stafford (Kilmainhamwood), Ben Reilly (Wolfe Tones); Adam Matthews (Castletown), Declan Reilly (St Michael's), David Curtis (Rathkenny). Sub - Conor Owens (Nobber) for Smyth half-time.
St Patrick's, Castleisland - Conor Wilkinson; Owen O'Connor, Ruairi Bourke, Evan Brennan; Ruairi Brosnan, Jack McElligott, Shane Gilroy; Thomas Conway, Cathal Brosnan; Eoghan Shire, Cathal McElligott, David Horan; Shane Browne, Luke McShane, Jack O'Donoghue. Subs - John O'Connor for Horan, 28 mins, Cathal Sheehan for Browne 35m, Michael Horan for R Brosnan 59m.
Referee - Eoin Morrissey (Waterford).
* PHOTOS FROM THE GAME, MATCH ANALYSIS AND QUOTES IN NEXT ISSUE OF THE MEATH CHRONICLE