No joy for Nobber in Leinster

There was no joy for Nobber yesterday in the Leinster Club IFC quarter-final against Wicklow champions Dunlavin who advanced convincingly by 2-15 to 1-12.

The Meath IFC champions made the trip to Baltinglass knowing that they would face a stern test from Dunlavin.

Originally fixed for Aughrim, the game was moved to Baltinglass on Friday in order to make sure that the Aughrim pitch would be in good condition today for a Leinster Club SFC quarter-final between St Patrick's (Wicklow) and Portlaoise.

Yesterday at Baltinglass, where the pitch was in excellent condition, the players had to cope with a strong wind.

Nobber looked capable of negotiating the Dunlavin challenge and went in on level terms (0-7 each) at the interval with points from Brian Farrell (three), Jordan Morris (two), Sean Meade and Alan Farrell.

WATCH THE CLOSING MINUTES AT BALTINGLASS

Dunlavin played some good football in the opening half, but were guilty of too many passes too often although they had some excellent players - Cian O'Sullivan and Shane O'Rourke in particular.

Nobber forged ahead immediately after the resumption when Farrell converted a free, but that was as good as it got for the Meath champions who were hit with a two-goal salvo in as many minutes soon after.

O'Sullivan and Eoin MUrtagh got the goals for Dunlavin and although Brian Farrell converted a penalty for Nobber with eight minutes remaining it wasn't sufficient to spark a revival.

Nobber manager Sean Carolan accepted that the best team won on the day - "Our lads gave it everything and I can't fault them on theat, Dunlavin deeserved to win on the day," he commented.

See Tuesday's Meath Chronicle for full match report and reaction.