Extra-time win for Nobber

Nobber did enough to win this IFC semi-final against Castletown by 2-18 to 1-17 after extra-time in Navan.

The tentative opening exchanges were low on scoring opportunities and high on handling errors as the players appeared to find it difficult to retain primary possession.

This produced a lot of loose play and scrambles for possession, but Castletown gradually gained the upperhand and were ahead by 0-3 to 0-2 at the end of the opening quarter.

Brian Farrell and Barry Cassidy were on the mark early for Nobber, but they then endured a 16-minute barren spell on the scoreboard during which Castletown eased into the lead.

Shane Hoey got the goal for Castletown in the 17th minute after good play by Barry Smith while the points arrived from Kevin Ross from play and a free and Damien Ginnity for a 1-3 to 0-2  advantage.

Darren Finney added another Castletown point before Sean Made and a Brian Farrell free revived a Nobber side that was in danger of losing touch.

Castletown still looked comfortable when Wayne Donegan sent over and they were further boosted when Nobber lost Alan Farrell to a second yellow card in the 28th minute following an exchnage with a Castletown player as he attempted to take a free.

There was no censure for the Castletown player, but the ball was thrown up and from the resultant attack Castletown were awarded a soft penalty.

Ross took the resultant spot kick, but his effort was well saved by Dary Hutchinson. 

DARY HUTCHINSON PENALTY SAVE 

Nobber upped the tempo and finished the half with points from Brian Farrell and Fiachra McEntee while Damien Ginnity's point gave Castletown a 1-6 to 0-6 interval advantage.

Gutsy Nobber made a brave bid for victory in the second-half with a brace of Brian Farrell goals, one from a penalty, and the former county man also added a couple of pointed frees with Jordan Morris (free) and Stephen O'Brien also on the mark.

NOBBER GOAL FROM PENALTY

It was looking bleak for Castletown as they tallied some woeful wides from the six they managed, but four Kevin Ross points and one each by Finney, Declan Cribbin and Kenneth Smith earned them extra-time.

Back up to 15 Nobber found enough reserves to carve out the victory with five Brian Farrell points and one each from Jordan Morris, Gerry Campbell and Sean Meade.

Castletown managed a brace of points from Ross and one each from Finney and Kenneth Smith and they lost Noel Smyth to a late black card.