Nobber to shade verdict after a tight contest

Considering the high percentage of north Meath teams in the IFC mix, it was always a good bet that this year's final would also double as derby match between two sides from that neck of the woods. Carnaross and Nobber make up Sunday's showdown and go into the game well aware of the distinctive pressure that comes with performing on the big stage before a big crowd. Both teams have been involved in semi-final and quarter-final defeats in recent times and will want to make most of their opportunity now the big prize is so near. Nobber last won the Mattie McDonnell Cup in 1980 while Carnaross enjoyed success at this level in 1993. Ollie and Gavin Murphy and Conor Woods were involved in that victory and all three will feature on Sunday. Carnaross stayed in the senior until 1999. This is very much a family affair. On the starting Carnaross side there is likely to be the Nugent (Paddy, Peter and Thomas) Comaskey (Killian, Eamonn and Brian, McGee (John L and Dermot) and Murphy (Ollie and Gavin) brothers. In the Nobber corner at the throw-in there will be the Farrells (Brian, Niall, Alan) and O'Reillys (Christopher and Brian). The sides go into Sunday's game very familiar with each other. They clashed at Kells in August in the last group tie with the game ending in a draw (1-11 apiece). The point was enough to see Nobber top the group and progress straight into the semi-final while Carnaross were forced to take the scenic route and face into a quarter-final clash with Gaeil Colmcille which they won, 2-8 to 1-9. Those who attended the game in Kells were served up an entertaining encounter with the play flowing from one end to the other before Brendan Heffernan rescued Nobber with a late, late point. Nobber manager Davy Cahill admitted afterwards that his side didn't play particularly well that evening. He added that they would need to up their game considerably if they were to progress further. They did that in the semi-final although it should also be recognised their opponents Dunderry were very disappointing and never got out of the starting blocks. Yet Nobber deserved praise for the way they closed out that game with a highly efficient display and with a little more sharpness in front of the posts they could have won by considerably more. They got their hands on a lot of breaking ball around midfield, and this ensured that the forward line was never short ample ammunition to inflict damage. Nobber tend to work the ball out of defence before getting it quickly into the forward line. It certainly worked against Dunderry. Brian Farrell regularly found himself in possession with just one defender on him. Allowed time and space the Meath forward usually bagged a score. Carnaross coach Alan Stephens and his selectors will surely have devised a strategy to close him down and stop the supply of ball going his way. Identifying him as the dangerman is one thing - finding a way to stop him is another. While Farrell is Nobber's main marksman he is by no means their only source of scores as players such as Andrew Hayes, Gordon Weldon, Darren Lambe and Heffernan are well capable of taking chances. Yet despite a lively attack Nobber haven't amassed a big tally in getting to the final. Their aggregate score of 2-68 is considerably lower than their opponent's 5-63 having played just one game less. One factor we can depend on going into Sunday's final it is that both sets of attackers will need to work extremely hard to get scores. Carnaross have one of the best backs in the county at the moment in Paddy Nungent who was outstanding against St Michael's. Don't be surprised if he is employed to contain Farrell although that role would restrict the Carnaross man when it comes to making his characteristic forays forward. Carnaross also have one of the sharpest attackers around in John L McGee while Ollie Murphy is producing his best football in years. There will be real concern in their camp that Murphy's preparations for the final have been hampered by a groin strain. He vision and ball-winning ability around midfield have proved a huge factor in helping Carnaross to this year's decider. Carnaross will need him to produce the goods again if they are to take the title. Defensively Nobber look marginally stronger although McGee found gaps in that Kells game. Worringly for Carnaross their backline was breached a number of times when Dunderry finally got their act together - and Killian Comaskey had to make a number of good saves. Both teams have plenty of experience to draw on as their line-ups have changed little in the recent times. The players from each side have emerged through the ranks together and campaigned with each other for years without much reward. Morale is not an issue. What is an issue is which side has the mental strength to take the extra step? Like most derby games there is unlikely to be much between the sides at the end of an hour. It promises to be close, but Nobber look like they have enough in the tank to get across the line first.