Nobber's Darren Lambe sutges down the wing during last Thursday night's A FL Div 3 game in Kells with the Gaeil Colmcille manager Benny Reddy and his selectors probably wondering where the markers have gone?

Nobber survive stern Gaeil Colmcille challenge

Published: Wed 28 Jul 2010, 4:50 PM

Two of the big hitters in the race for the IFC title clashed at Kells last Thursday night when Gaeil Colmcille hosted Nobber in the A FL Div 3 and came up short in a game that produced three red cards in the last three minutes. Referee Des Smith issued second yellow cards to Nobber's Richie Shiels and Brendan Halpin along with Kells player Seanie Curran, all in separate incidents. Nobber deserved to win as they were more consistent and disciplined over the hour although they got a little frayed in the closing stages and struggled to keep their shape. Some of the tackling demonstrated a brief loss of composure, on both sides, as players reacted when frees were not awarded, but Nobber adopted a very disciplined and focused approach for about 55 minutes. That focus was probably helped by the presence of former Meath player Bernard Flynn on the sideline in an advisory capacity. The former Meath star urged the Nobber players to work hard off-the-ball and to pick up an opponent during a stoppage in play. He was also keen that they made good use of the ball and wanted them to move it quickly. And that approach worked in their favour, when they applied the simple and fairly basic requirements for success, but the players switched off frequently as concentration and communication levels dipped. The poor communications caused a problem midway through the opening half when full-back Paul Clarke and corner-back Shiels collided as they attempted to gain possession. They were under no pressure, but the mistake created an opening for Gaeil Colmcille's Brian Hanlon who raced for goal, but blazed his effort wide. Nobber were ahead by 0-4 to 0-1 at that stage after they recovered from the concession of an early Hanlon point. Brian Farrell (three) and Gerry Campbell split the posts at the other end for a 0-4 to 0-1 lead as they enjoyed ample possession. Gavin Farrelly and Alan Farrell were comfortable at midfield while Gordon Weldon, Andy O'Brien and Philip McEntee supported positively from the half-back line. Nobber's level of determination was evident in the way Padraig Fox regained possession after he lost it and set up Brian Farrell for the fourth point. Up to that stage, everything was going well for Nobber and the positive approach worked in their favour again when Halpin surged through for a 21st minute goal as the Kells players appealed for a free that never materialised.Barry Farrelly and Stephen Reddy converted frees which kept Gaeil Colmcille in touch as they trailed by 0-3 to 1-4 at the break. However, there was a brief outbreak of yellow fever when Kells substitute Martin Barrett, about a minute after he replaced Darren Tormay, and Reddy received cards for a tackle on Conor Halpin who had to be replaced. Their anger arose when, once again, they didn't get a free they felt they should have. Referee Smith was consistent in his decision-making, although at times he was too far behind the play. Within a minute of the resumption Brian Farrell fisted another point while all Kells could muster was a disciplinary point with Cormac Ferguson yellow-carded. That seemed to focus the hosts, briefly, and they reeled off unanswered points from Barry Farrelly (two) and Stevie McManus. Then, hard-working centre-back Barry Smith collected a yellow card. Brian Farrell pointed another free before Farrelly (free) and Barrett sent over which left Gaeil Colmcille adift by the minimum (0-8 to 1-6) at the end of the third-quarter. Nobber were struggling in defence and Padraig Weldon took over at full-back as his side stayed focused and repelled further Kells attacks. Brian Farrell reeled off three more points, and yes, you've guessed it, the hosts managed another disciplinary point with Curran protesting his innocence before Hanlon's free left a goal in it (0-9 to 1-9) with eight minutes remaining. McManus was next to see yellow for Gaeil Colmcille and then Curran got his departure notice. It was contagious and Nobber joined in as Shiels collected a second yellow and he was quickly followed by Brendan Halpin. All that produced a highly-charged five minutes of injury-time during which the Kells men concentrated on the football. They had one last chance when Hanlon raced through, but his rising shot skimmed the top of the crossbar. Nobber - C O'Reilly; P Weldon, P Clarke, R Shiels; P McEntee, A O'Brien, G Weldon; G Farrelly, A Farrell; G Campbell (0-1), B Halpin (1-0), C Halpin; P Fox, B Farrell (0-8 six frees), D Lambe. Sub - B Meade for C Halpin 31 mins. Gaeil Colmcille - D Drew; P Tormay, R Flanagan, B Tormay; M Foley, B Smith, C Ferguson; K Reilly, C Keegan; S Reddy (0-1 free), S Curran, S McManus (0-1); B Farrelly (0-4 two frees), B Hanlon (0-3 one free); D Tormay. Subs - M Barrett for D Tormay 29 mins, A Hickey for Reddy 50m, F Ferguson for McManus 56m. Referee - Des Smith (St Ultan's).