JACFC Div 7 semi-final: Fox steals the headlines as Nobber advance

Nobber's Cathal Fox

Nobber 2 – 18 (24) Moynalty 1 – 7 (10)

With some major sporting headlines happening in recent days including the announcement of Anthony Joshua v Tyson Fury boxing match taking place in December, as well as Manchester City getting found guilty of 114 charges – none of this mattered in Nobber on Friday night. There was only one man who took the headlines, Cathal Fox, a cult figure in Nobber GAA circles stole the headlines with a sensational goal into the scoreboard end of the ground towards the end of the game.

Nobber welcomed fellow North Meath team Moynalty to their home grounds on Friday night last in the Meath GAA JACFC Division 7 semi-final. The opening quarter seen the black and ambers start the brightest with fine scores from the lively centre forward Joe Tierney and Meath Masters player Brendan Heffernan. Full forward Jamie Duffy was dangerous throughout the evening and he finished a fine team move with a fisted goal to the back of the net on 18 minutes. Nobber’s full-back line showed all their experience and know-how and kept the Moynalty scores to a minimum in the first half. Former Meath football star Brian O’Reilly led by example and drove his teammates forward at every opportunity. Further scores in the first period came from Tierney, Duffy, and Heffernan once again while Adam Keating and the energetic midfielder Ryan Hughes chipped in with a point each.

Half-time – Nobber 1 – 8 (11) Moynalty 0 – 4 (4)

Hughes showed his intent and determination once again in the second half chipping in with another important score for Sean Carolans’s charges. The black and ambers took control during the second period and were determined to reach the final. Duffy continued to be a danger man upfront and ran the Moynalty defence ragged at times. Jojo Ogunbe proved a good link between defence and attack and caused the red and white of Moynalty issues throughout the evening.

Nobber finished the game the strongest with further scores from the impressive Tierney and Duffy in the forward line. The experienced duo of Alan Farrell and Gordon Weldon raised white flags for the Deesiders; however, the biggest cheer of the evening was when super sub-Cathal Fox rattled the back of the net to the delight of the Nobber faithful. Rumour has it the car beeping could be heard as far as Kingscourt to the north and Wilkinstown to the south of the village.

Overall, a very impressive performance from the black and ambers and they will look forward to a final meeting with Cortown which is provisionally scheduled for Friday, October 2.

Nobber team – Niall McMahon, Gerry Campbell, Brian O’Reilly, Jonny Donohoe, Jojo Ogunbe (0 – 2), Brendan Heffernan (0 – 2), Adam Keating (0 – 1), Thomas Murtagh, Ryan Hughes (0 – 2), Korede Otubango, Joe Tierney (0 – 5), Colin Condra, Gordon Weldon (0 – 1), Jamie Duffy (1 – 4), Tony McEntee.

Subs used – Colin Clarke, Pauric Weldon, Alan Farrell (0 – 1), Luke Proudfoot, Cathal Fox (1 – 0).