Dunne Cup  Naas 14 Wexford Wanderers 13(April 20th 2008).

Naas traveled down to Wexford last Sunday for the semi-final of the Dunne Cup having been given a walk-over by Balbriggan in the previous round. Although the average age of the Naas team was 21, they did have few older hands with the likes of Ray Lawlor, Ger Butler and Jason Teahan rolling out. Notwithstanding the team exhibited excellent composure to come away with a win over an older, wiser and more powerful Wexford unit which had nearly 75% of possession and territory.
Suffice to say that Naas ran with ball in hand at every opportunity and it was quite clear that the homeside were nervous as the visitors invariably tore them apart in the midfield going wide. On the other hand, the homeside actively sought contact relishing the rough and tumble of the mauls and close-in rucks. This game was always a tight affair and tempers were fraying very early on with referee Pat Dempsey having to issue 4 yellow cards in all, 3 of which were brandished at the visitors.
The Wanderers started quite well and were camped in the Naas 22 for much of the first half with the prevailing wind in their favour. Having absolutely fluffed their first penalty kick attempt, Wexford’s second attempt after 15 minutes split the posts. Naas were tirelessly defending the fringes and only for some excellent work by the pack in particular Andy O’Hara, Naas would have been in serious trouble.
As the pressure mounted, Naas had their first man sin-binned for a “spear-tackle”. As the homeside did not take stall of the fact that the scrum had to lose a No.8 on both sides, a mix-up at the back of their scrum led to Gavin Dooley knicking the ball just outside the Naas 22 and sprinting clear beating the cover to score Naas’ first try. The outhalf converted himself. Wexford were not deterred and quickly re-established their stranglehold up front finally bashing Naas away to get over on the left wing for their response.
The second half saw little change in the pattern and pace of the match as Wexford insisted on putting the ball “up the jumper”. Naas again had to resist the incessant siege on their line and luckily for them, the referee deemed that the ball was held up on three different occasions as the homeside looked to have bullied their way over the line.
Naas were living dangerously but just as things were looking ominous, Wexford uncharacteristically kicked a loose ball into the Naas twenty two. Dooley called “mark” and instinctively counter-attacked without blinking as the homeside backed off. As he darted down the right wing, he found Gavin Nyawata on his shoulder and the centre jinked his way past three tacklers before beating the defence and racing down the right wing to score under the posts. He took the conversion this time.
Wexford were positively flummoxed by this turn of events but went back at Naas with 20 minutes to go. After building up numerous phases in Naas’ 22, they finally decided to run wide and scored a try from what looked like a forward pass leaving only a point separating the teams.
Nerves were really rattling for both sides at this stage. Naas however hung in and were able to conjure up just enough possession to keep Wexford in their half to run down the clock for full time.

On Monday, Wexford secretary Eamon McCarthy sent a letter to the Leinster Branch objecting to the fact that Naas arrived with 15 players , no subs and no one nominated on the team sheet to replace any of the front row should there be an injury or temporary dismissal and as there were two periods when front row players were off due to yellow cards which resulted in uncontested scrums. The Leinster Branch upheld the objection and awarded the game to Wexford who now advance to play Navan in the final. This was a very disappointing end to the season but probably explains why so many fixtures are abandoned and walkovers given.
 

Anderson Cup  Naas 3 Boyne 16(April 13th 2008).

At Forenaughts last Sunday, Naas were well and truly beaten by a well drilled and hungrier Boyne side in the quarter finals of the Anderson Cup. Although Naas started very well pinning the visitors back rolling a maul almost 40 metres up the pitch, Boyne were a quick study and soon adjusted. Thereafter, Naas lived off scraps of possession. In previous matches, Naas had come to rely on an excellent lineout platform and this did not desert them but Boyne by hook or by crook absolutely neutralised the threat of any ensuing maul.
Boyne had a simple plan which was based on retaining possession. Easier said than done but their ability to blow Naas off their own ball in the rucks was definitely worrying. The Naas backline saw very little ball from the pack and the bit they did get, they carelessly kicked away. Such was the fragility of the Naas state of mind as Boyne’s iron grip on affairs in the loose tightened as the minutes ticked away. The pack were being utterly bullied and John Sheehan, despite his best endeavours, could not make a silk purse out of the sow’s ear with service he was getting.
Naas were perhaps a little unlucky with injuries. The loss of Simon Byrne, who was on and off the pitch with a split eyebrow before being substituted just after the half and Emmet Dalton’s early retreat (sciatica) did not help matters.
The 0-0 score at the half time was down to Naas’ resolute defence in particular Chris Shirley, Paddy Bough and David Coughlan. It was only a matter of time though and Boyne finally scored from a penalty just after Byrne went off in the second half. Incessant pressure was piling on the homeside and decent possession was almost alien to them. The ferocity of the Boyne attack and chase was quite effective as they continually kicked in behind Naas forcing errors.
Boyne finally broke Naas down as they picked and popped their way into the heart of the Naas midfield with twenty minutes to go. Naas were seriously stretched and with both Ross Callaghan and Trevor Smyth limping and down with knocks respectively, Naas were caught out wide on the right as Boyne had two men to spare crossing for their first try.
Naas did up the ante after that score and Sheehan had two speculative cracks at the Boyne goal but without reward. Alan Ward finally got Naas on the scoreboard but minutes later, Boyne had Naas back peddling again and from a tidy chip over the top into Naas’ 22 off a ruck, the hapless Phil Toland was caught out by a deceptive bounce as his opposite number sneaked in for the touch down.
Naas did not give up but Boyne kept turning over possession and from another kick deep into Naas’ 22, the homeside was penalised for not releasing in front of the posts and Boyne kicked their second penalty as full time was called. Naas will now contest the Spiers Cup next Sunday. Best for Naas were Paddy Bough, Alan Murphy and Chris Shirley
 

Anderson Cup  Naas 24 Cill Dara 10(April 6th 2008).

Last Sunday, Naas took on Cill Dara in the second round of the Anderson Cup. Although Cill Dara were meant to have home advantage, this game was actually played in North Kildare presumably in ease of Cill Dara’s 2nd XV who were playing North Kildare earlier that day. Despite the most unusual weather which brought sun and sleet in equal measure, this game was a very open contest with both teams eager to keep the ball in hand.
As the match unfolded, Naas were demonstrating a more controlled approach for sizable portions of the game but the self-inflicted penalty count against them was killing their momentum. For their part, Cill Dara were just edging matters at the rucks but it was in the set pieces that Naas were most influential particularly in the lineout. Naas always got silver service possession on their own throws whereas numerous balls were knicked on the Cill Dara throws by Dave Coughlan and Barney Kavanagh.
Notwithstanding, Naas pretty much won this match on the back of an extremely impressive maul technique which engineered countless metres for Naas and three tries for hooker Mark Byrne. The downside was that referee Gordon Condell’s relaxed handling of the first half must have turned into displeasure for the second as he literally blew Naas off the pitch. Luckily for Naas, no yellow cards were pulled out. Naas throughout the day tackled like dervishes with some thumping tackles being put in by Chris Shirley and Smyth but the real plaudits have to go to Ross Callaghan who was exceptional in that department.
Naas started the first half quite briskly and were to take the lead after 15 minutes when the pack drove a lineout maul from the 22 all the way over the tryline for Byrne’s first instalment. Naas continued to pressurize until they gave away a series of silly penalties which set Cill Dara up for a brief siege of their own on the Naas line. They did not disappoint coming away with a fine try which they converted to take the lead 5-7.
Naas went right back at them and with ten minutes left to the half from a scrum just outside the Cill Dara 22, Trevor Smyth took a sharp angle off John Sheehan’s pop pass and twisted and turned his way over for Naas’ second try. Sheehan converted. Cill Dara went back up the pitch and kicked a great penalty to make it 12-10 at half time.
With the wind in the second half, Naas went in for their third try after Sheehan had punted a penalty up to the Cill Dara touchline 10 metres out. Another lineout, another unstoppable maul and Byrne again was the benefactor.
Naas continued to run at Cill Dara going left to right but the Cill Dara’s defence was fairly watertight wrapping the Naas dynamic duo of Simon Byrne and Paddy Bough up every time. Time and time again, Naas could not prevent men getting isolated in possession and they were caught out all too often particularly by Mr Condell.
Naas therefore reverted to the tried and tested and with twenty minutes to go, down the right side, Kavanagh secured the ball on a further lineout and Naas again mauled their way over. Sheehan converted.
The final twenty minutes was a very up and down affair fought out in the middle of the pitch as Naas seemed to simply sit back happily dealing with the wave of Cill Dara attacks. Unfortunately, Cill Dara did not threaten the Naas tryline again.
Naas now play Boyne in the quarter finals at Forenaughts next Sunday. Best for Naas were Simon Byrne and Joe Colfer with man of the match going to Callaghan.
Naas were : 1. Joe Colfer 2. Mark Byrne 3. Emmet Dalton (Brian Dempsey 55)
4. Alan Murphy (Paddy Quinn 60) 5. Barney Kavanagh 6. David Coughlan (Toss Holmes 70)
7. Paddy Bough (Capt.) 8. Simon Byrne 9. Barry McGrath 10. John Sheehan 11. Phil Toland (Dave O’Kelly 60) 12. Trevor Smyth (Jason Teahan 65) 13. Ross Callaghan 14. Ger O’Gorman 15. Chris Shirley.
 

AIB All Ireland League  Naas 48 Ards 5(March 29th 2008).

Naas warmed-up for their last home match of the 2007/8 AIL3 season in torrential rain at Forenaughts. After last weeks heavy defeat to champions Bruff the players had a real desire to finish on a positive note. 14th in the league before the game they knew that winning would jump them several positions. Just before kick-off the heavy black clouds parted and bright sunshine flooded the grounds as the referee blew his whistle signalling 1 minutes silence for Damien Ward’s father. Acting captain for the day Jock Toland lost the toss and the visitors decided to play up the hill with the wind behind in the first half.

The match started brightly for Naas on the 6th minute as Toland broke from the back of a good strong driving maul to fed scrum-half (and man of the match) Aiden Tyrell who crashed over the line. Ards came back pretty quickly though as winger Anderson eventually touched down a bouncing ball closely watched by 3 Naas defenders. The home side soon made amends for their defensive lapse as skipper Toland pounced with 2 tries in 4 minutes. Aherne converted both and slotted a penalty goal on 26 minutes leaving the score at the interval 22-5. With the elements now against Naas the second period should be a much closer affair.

The contest was effectively over 4 minutes in to the half as Naas centre Delaney intercepted a promising Ards attack to run almost the entire length of the pitch to touchdown for a bonus point try. Both teams had good passages of play for the next 33 minutes but neither side troubled the scoreboard. However the last 6 minutes of the game produced 3 wonderful tries from a backline that was now playing with confidence and freedom. Delaney got his second on the 37th minute as he was in close support to powerful winger Bryce who made a probing break up the middle of the pitch. Delaney still had work to do, but demonstrated why he was the highest try scorer for Naas last season in Leinster 1. Almost immediately after this substitute Harney scored try number 6, completing some great lines of running and good quick hands from Bryce, Gough and Delaney. Not to be left out winger Fitzgerald then completed another flowing passage of play by scoring on the opposite wing.

Although the score flattered Naas a little they’ll feel that some reward for their tough return to AIL rugby was overdue. They got their wish as they climbed 6 places to 8th in the league. The only fixture left in this AIL3 season is next Saturday as Naas travel again to Connemara to play the rearranged fixture from early in the season. Naas know that this result could leave them anywhere from 5th to 9th in the league. Still much to play for and with confidence high anything is possible.


Team – Andrew Shirley, Jock Toland, Brendan O’Shea, Gary Rowan, Johnny Holmes, David Cox, Stephen Melville, Andrew Melville, Aiden Tyrell, Dave Aherne, Henry Bryce, Leigh Gough, Johnny Delaney, Brian Fitzgerald, Donal Droney.

Subs – Vinny Cuddihy, Ross Brosnan, Sean Mahon, Andrew Kearney, Emmett Harney.

Tries – Toland (2), Delaney (2), Fitzgerald, Tyrell, Harney
Conversions – Aherne (5)
Penalties – Aherne

Anderson Cup  Naas 32 Dundalk 6(March 25th 2008).

Last Sunday at Forenaughts, Naas began their Anderson Cup campaign and beat the current holders in a scintillating match. That Naas won by such a scoreline was simply down to the sin-binning of a Dundalk player which saw the homeside run in three tries in that ten minutes to virtually seal the match. Dundalk had actually led 3-6 at half time. Naas picked off another two tries in the last 20 minutes of the game but Dundalk were by no means a pushover as the final score suggests.
Naas started very well and moved the ball left to right as Dundalk struggled with the waves of attack. Naas took the led after ten minutes going 3-0 up. Dundalk replied fairly quickly when they popped over a penalty from just inside Naas’ half and another infringement at the ruck just in front of the posts saw the visitors taking the lead 3-6. That was the last time Dundalk would score although they were by far the better team in the first half.
Naas just about kept the visitors at bay with some stout defending at the fringes but in particular with some excellent lineout work which saw Barney Kavanagh stealing numerous Dundalk throw-ins at vital stages when the visitors were seriously threatening the Naas tryline. Dundalk were awarded another two penalties but they failed to convert them from difficult angles.
Naas blasted their way into the second half on account of a silly free kick conceded by the visitors for being ahead of the kicker at the kickoff and Naas ruthlessly capitalized as they marched on the opposition 5 metre two minutes later. The Naas rolling maul was becoming an insidious weapon against the visitors throughout the game and when Dundalk deliberately went in on the side trying to kill the driving momentum, referee Frank Smyth binned the guilty Dundalk player.
Naas resumed with a lineout maul and Mark Byrne went in for Naas’ first try. That was followed quite rapidly by Paddy Bough out wide on the right beating the cover for the second try whereas Chris Shirley latched onto a favourable bounce from a wonderfully weighted John Sheehan overhead chip to run in unopposed for the third. Dundalk were utterly torn apart in a mere ten minutes and were now down but not out trailing 20-6.
The visitors tried to edge themselves back into the match but Naas’ stubborn defence, notably Ross Callaghan in midfield, was never really tested and when Phil Toland scampered in for the fourth try compliments of Byrne, it was game over for the Louthmen. Ger O’Gorman just rubbed salt into the wounds when he scored minutes before full time.
Naas now play Cill Dara in the second round at Beechpark. Best for Naas were Mark Byrne, Trevor Smyth and David Coughlan with man of the match going to Barney Kavanagh.
Naas were : 1. Joe Colfer 2. Mark Byrne 3. Emmet Dalton (Brian Dempsey 60) 4. James Bond (Toss Holmes 40) 5. Tom Clancy 6. Barney Kavanagh 7. David Coughlan 8. Paddy Bough (Capt.) 9. Barry McGrath 10. John Sheehan 11. Phil Toland 12. Trevor Smyth 13. Ross Callaghan (Jason Teahan 70) 14. Ger O’Gorman 15. Chris Shirley.
 

AIB All Ireland League  Naas 3 Bruff 34(March 22nd 2008).

A strong breeze gusting up the hill at Forenaughts gave captain Dave Conneran a difficult decision as he won the toss. He opted to defend the hill in the first half. Snow just before kick-off was then followed by a bright sunny spell which lasted for most of the game. Well over 200 spectators watched on as league leaders Bruff came to County Kildare to attempt to lift the league title in front of RTE cameras.

Naas started the better of the 2 sides and held Bruff in their own half until the 15th minute. Some good attacking play from Naas gave the home support something to cheer. The visitors however did not panic and just went about the task of defending their line with great unity, demonstrating to all why they had only conceded 53 points in 13 previous AIL3 games this season. They often turned defence in to attack. This was most emphatically witnessed at scrum-time. The home side were pushed back on every occasion and were indebted to number 8 Stephen Melville for some determined yet skilful work collecting awkward balls and making some real hard yards on each attempt. The green and whites got some reward on the 23rd minute as number 10 Dave Aherne slotted a penalty goal right in front of the posts. Naas remained very much in the game for the majority of the first half and were unlucky to concede a strange score just before half time as Bruff “man-of-the-match” open-side flanker John Shine dived from the scrum to touch-down a loose ball. This combined with a 31st minute penalty goal from Brian Cahill left Naas trailing 3-8 at the interval. Given the advantage of the hill would now be with Naas this seemed to suggest they were still very much in the contest. Injured player coach Andrew Melville rallied the players during the break.

Bruff were the stronger team after the break and opened their scoring immediately with a multi-phase passage of play that eventually lead to a forward rumble and try in the top right hand corner for number 8 Gerard Looby. Naas then made 2 tactical substitutions bringing Walsh and Cox on for Shirley and Kearney. Unfortunately shortly after this captain Conneran had to leave the field injured. The pendulum of possession and territory had now well and truly swung in favour of the table toppers. Shine scored again from the pack on the 52nd minute. Then it was the turn of the backline to get in on the action with wingers Paul O’Brien and Finbar Hogan rounding-off some tremendous patterns but more importantly giving the visitors the win, the bonus point and the AIL3 league title for the 2007/2008 season. Based on what was witnessed in Forenaughts on Saturday they were worthy winners who did the basics well, but also went about their business with pace and power. The RTE camera crew had selected a good day to be in Naas. However, there was much for the home side to be positive and encouraged by. Notable performances from Stephen Melville, probing runs from Toland, endless energy from Rowan, wonderful tackles from Gough, solid touch-finders from Aherne, and several effective rolling mauls were some of the highlights from a sunny March afternoon. Next week Naas host Ards RFC for their final home match of this season. With AIL3 status secure for next year the home side will plan finishing on a high note.


Team – Andrew Shirley, Jock Toland, Brendan O’Shea, Gary Rowan, Dave Conneran, Johnny Holmes, Andrew Kearney, Stephen Melville, Aiden Tyrell, Dave Aherne, Henry Bryce, Leigh Gough, Johnny Delaney, Brian Fitzgerald, Donal Droney.

Subs – Ted Walsh, Ross Brosnan, Sean Mahon, Gavin Dooley, David Cox.

Penalties – Aherne
 

J3 Metro League – Stothert & Pitt 17 Stillorgan 1st 24 (March  16th 2008). 

Led by Phil “the Power” Toland, Naas traveled to Bath on St Patrick’s weekend and returned victorious on the third year of asking and in doing so reclaimed “the Ladle” which had been presented by them to the Somerset club in the inaugural year.
Despite the inclement weather, Naas started quite brightly when Jason “T-Bag” Teahan collected on a chip through finding Ronan Bolger in support and the pack made a great assault on the homeside’s line but Stotherts somehow pinched the ball back. Suffice to say that the revelries of the weekend somewhat dulled the visitors’ ability to perform and when the homeside took the lead cutting Naas’ defence to shreds after ten minutes, it seemed like early curtains for Naas.
In Mark “Mongo” Farragher, Naas put in the right response when he broke from inside the opposition twenty-two from the back of a scrum and pulled three defenders with him over the line as he went in for Naas’ first try. Dave O’Kelly converted.
This being a tour, Naas were guilty of making some careless substitutions with ten minutes to go to the half and suffered the consequences as Stotherts caught them out wide twice in quick succession.
Naas played a tighter game in the second half and minimized Stotherts taking the ball wide. In the lineout Toss Holmes and Alan Murphy were providing a great platform. Keeping the ball in the pack proved to be the wiser option given the conditions and Dave Coughlan, Paddy Quinn, Jock Toland and Chris “Hands” Shirley always looked to attack close in on the fringes. Tom Clancy on the wing had a quiet match.
Naas were finally rewarded for all their endeavour albeit through a small bit of individual brilliance when Ted “Bear” Walsh pummeled his way past four different defenders finally steamrolling the Stothert’s fullback à la Jonah Lomu on Mike Catt before scoring under the posts. Further pressure saw Naas get in for their third try when the homeside in trying the take play wide in their own twenty two spilled the ball into the grateful arms of Bolger who ran in virtually unopposed.
That score only tied the match again until O’Kelly scurried and jinked his way to break the cover just at half way to score Naas’ fourth and try. Stotherts now threw everything at the visitors but Naas held out for a fine win. Pity about Ireland.
Naas were : 1. Joe Colfer 2. Ronan Bolger 3. Ted Walsh 4. Toss Holmes 5. Alan Murphy 6. Paddy Quinn 7. David Coughlan 8. Mark Farragher 9. Jock Toland 10. David O’Kelly 11. Phil Toland (Capt.) 12. Ross Callaghan 13. Chris Shirley 14. Tom Clancy 15. Jason Teahan Subs: Colin Dowling, Cormac Breen, Darren Murray, David Walsh, James Bond and Roy Butler
 

J3 Metro League – Naas J3s 7 Stillorgan 1st 36 (February  17th 2008). 

Last Sunday at Forenaughts, Naas took on league leaders Stillorgan and came away a very disconsolate second best in this contest. Ten minutes had not passed before Stillorgan had kicked over the conversion for their second try leaving the homeside rather dumbfounded.
In this brief spell which more or less set the tone for the match, Naas ran around like headless chickens shirking tackles and over committing to the rucks leaving their flanks hopelessly exposed. Stillorgan smelled blood and did not let up.
For some of the homeside, this was a source of extreme outrage none more so than Trevor Smyth and Paddy Bough who led a crazed charge up the field to start a galvanising process whereby Naas began playing with purpose. Indeed the homeside, despite being on the back foot for the remainder of the half, managed to keep the visitors out until the last minute of the half for 19-0.
Into the second half, Naas began taking the game by the scruff of the neck and were very much the better team going up the hill. Unfortunately all that momentum was lost when Smyth was injured after fifteen minutes.
Naas could not field another substitute after coach Conor Dunne had already come on for the injured Jason Teahan and they had to play with fourteen men for the balance of the match. Stillorgan used this numerical advantage and stole in for their fourth try down Naas’ exposed manless wing.
Naas rallied and some excellent lineout work saw the pack mauling their way from just inside their own half all the way over the Stillorgan line for the homeside’s only try. Ronan Bolger got the touchdown. Dunne converted. In the last ten minutes, Stillorgan began pressing again as Naas were starting to creak. The sin-binning of Tom Clancy for mouthing off did not assist matters. The pressure was too great and another tow tries were conceded giving the visitors a very handsome scoreline in the end. Best for Naas were David Coughlan, Trevor Smyth and Chris Shirley.
Naas were : 1. Tom Clancy 2. Ronan Bolger 3. Alan Murphy 4. Ger Butler
5. Brian Murphy 6. Toss Holmes 7. David Coughlan 8. Paddy Bough (Capt.) 9. Adam Malin 10. Trevor Smyth 11. Phil Toland 12. Ross Callaghan 13. Robbie Kerrigan
14. Jason Teahan (Conor Dunne 40) 15. Chris Shirley.
 

J3 Metro League – Naas J3s 14 Barnhall 28 (February  17th 2008). 

Naas’ extremely slim chance of qualifying for the playoffs in the Leinster League was utterly dashed when they were well beaten by a more polished Barnhall side at Forenaughts last Sunday. Despite retaining the majority of possession throughout the match, Naas were horribly wasteful with same.
On a day that was almost perfect for rugby, Naas incessantly knocked the ball on as a frustrating case of butter fingers seemed to have been caught by all. Although the homeside continued to look very dangerous going forward, the aforementioned fumbles and a bizarre lack of communication undid them at crucial moments. Cian Mangan’s Barnhall side had no such problems as they ran in four tries and led throughout the entire match.
Naas started quite well and Simon Byrne, David Miley and Paddy Bough were being a real torn in the visitors’ sides. Barnhall were well organised though and invariably Naas turned the ball over too often with unforced errors.
Barnhall took the lead after fifteen minutes with a penalty for offside and five minutes later their pack provided the opening try from a lineout maul down the left side. A further penalty was conceded before Naas came right back at the visitors but again another silly knock-on led to a comedy of errors. When Ger Butler failed to deal with a bobbly overhead kick, another kick through saw a footrace ensue for Naas try line between Simon Byrne and two Barnhall players as they vied for the touch down. Unfortunately, Byrne recklessly brought one of them down and the visitors were awarded a penalty try. Naas were quite lucky to be only 18-0 down at half time. 
The second half saw early Naas pressure reaping some reward as Barry McGrath somehow wriggled free of two tackles to score unopposed under the sticks which Trevor Smyth converted. Any suggestion of a comeback however was quickly dismissed as five minutes later Barnhall got themselves back up the field and from a series of phases, the definitive try was scored out wide after some slick handling by the visitors’ backline.
After that score, it was all Naas again as they harried and harassed but Barnhall were proving difficult to break down. Naas got a second try with five minutes to go when Smyth ran in from close range after his pack had made the hard yards. Again he converted. However, just to show the homeside who was boss, Barnhall took a quick tap penalty and ran from just inside Naas’ half under the goal posts for their fourth instalment again compliments of their clinical backline. 
 Naas were: 1. Ciaran Keegan 2. Joe Colfer  3. David Miley 4. Tom Clancy (David Nevin 60) 5. Toss Holmes  6. David Coughlan  7. Paddy Bough 8. Simon Byrne 9. Barry McGrath 10. Trevor Smyth 11. Phil Toland 12. Ross Callaghan 13. Chris Shirley 14. Ger Butler (Jason Teahan 40) 15. Ger O’Gorman

AIB All Ireland League  Naas 19 Middleton 18(February 10th 2008).

Not having played on Saturday, Naas knew a win could ensure their survival in Division 3 of the AIL league. Indeed, a win of any kind would push them up to sixth position in the league.
Naas started well and Middleton found it hard to exit their own half for the first quarter of the game. Middleton were stubborn in defence and as Naas ran through their training ground plays they could not breach the line. The Naas cause seemed to have been helped when Middleton second-row, Aidan McCarthy was yellow carded for stamping.
Eventually, Naas got on the scoreboard, on twenty four minutes, when Middleton were penalised for collapsing a maul and David Aherne stepped up to split the posts. Five minutes later the lead was extended following a lineout, close to the Middleton line. The ball secured, Naas drove over and Jock Toland grounded for the try. The conversion attempt drifted wide but it seemed as though Naas would have an easy afternoon at home. The game, however, descended into a series of unforced errors and with most of the play congested between the 22’s.
The only other score came right on the halftime whistle. Following a scrum inside their 22, Andy Melville picked and drove forward. The ball was quickly recycled and found its way into the hands of Johnny Delaney who jinked past two defenders to score in the corner to leave the halftime score 13-0 to Naas.
If Naas thought things were wrapped up they were in for a rude awakening. Within five minutes Middleton were on the scoreboard. Naas, desperately scrambling to keep the opposition at bay, were penalised for illegal use of hands in the ruck. An easy kick for Jeff Hitchmaugh was the spark to start their revival.
The revival was swift. Less than three minutes later a driving maul saw Roy McArdle crash over and when the conversion was slotted by Hitchmaugh Middleton were within three points.
The game now became a dog fight and errors were the norm. It was an indication of how edgy both sides had become with the game there for the winning. David Aherne steadied the ship for Naas with two penalties. On 17 minutes, Middleton were adjudged offside in the middle of the park. Five minutes later, again the offside was the decision but this time on the 22. Naas now led by nine points and with 18 minutes left the tension was palpable.
Middleton had not given up on pulling off a surprise and Naas were having to defend deep in their own territory. The pressure eventually told and with ten minutes to go. Desperate defending saw Naas penalised and Jeff Hitchmaugh had the easiest of tasks and converted to pull the lead back to six points.
The visitors could smell victory and they threw everything at Naas. As so often seen in the international arena, a crossfield kick from Jason Holland was brilliantly taken by Hitchmaugh to score in the corner. The conversion was difficult and most of the home supporters could hardly watch as the ball drifted narrowly wide.
The margin was down to a single point and with eight minutes on the clock it was time for cool heads to prevail.
The Naas pack took control of the situation and ran down the clock by playing the phases of ruck and maul, all intent on keeping the ball away from the opposition. A yellow card for Naas’s Ted Walsh made the final moments even more tense but Naas held out and took what was a hard fought victory.

Naas; Andy Shirley, Jock Toland, Brendan O’Shea(Ted Walsh), David Conneran(Johnny Holmes), Gary Rowan, David Cox(Andy Kearney), Stephan Melville, Andy Melville, Damian Ward, David Aherne, Henry Bryce, Lee Gough, Johnny Delaney, Brian Fitzgerald, Emmet Harney. Not used; Ross Brosnan and Aiden Tyrell.    

J3 Metro League – Naas J3s 31 Suttonians 0 (February  10th 2008). 

Last Sunday afternoon at Forenaughts after a very uneventful first half which ended 0-0, Naas sprang to life in the second half and simply blew Suttonians off the pitch running in five unanswered tries. The introduction of Barry McGrath and Barney Kavanagh was fairly instrumental in this turnaround.
Naas started well and maintained greater possession throughout as Trevor Smyth seemed to be controlling matters well interlinking his pack and backline. However, the visitors were constantly and deliberately slowing the ball down more oft than not illegally conceding numerous penalties in particular at the rucks.
Unfortunately, Naas did not capitalise electing to run the ball down dead ends and when they finally decided to have a pop at the posts David O’Kelly saw his two attempts sail wide.
Naas were probably ruing these missed opportunities as they faced into the second playing uphill but it was not long before they took the lead. From a scrum just outside the Suttonian’s 22, Ronan O’Malley broke down the blindside creating space for Paddy Bough to beat the cover. The flanker stepped in and out gaining twenty metres before finding winger Ger O’Gorman for an easy walk-in try.
Five minutes had not passed when O’Gorman was on hand again to score his second try thanks mainly to another backrow break which saw Simon Byrne making the hard yards.
Suttonians resumed infringing at the rucks and from the ensuing penalties, Naas punished them with two further tries scored by James Bond after Trojan work by the pack on lineout mauls. The fifth try was scored by O’Kelly in support of O’Gorman when the latter stripped his opposite number down the right wing.  O’Kelly kicked the conversions.
Suttonians made a late rally in the last ten minutes and when Naas lost both Chris Shirley and Byrne in quick succession to the sin-bin for retaliation, the visitors seemed to have been given a great opportunity to get a few points on the board. Naas’ defence in particular Alan Murphy and David Miley were ferocious and no breach could be found.  
 Naas were: 1. Joe Colfer (David Miley 55)  2. James Bond (Captain) 3. Brian Dempsey 4. Ger Butler (Barney Kavanagh 40) 5. Alan Murphy 6. David Coughlan (Simon Byrne 50) 7. Paddy Bough 8. Ronan O’Malley 9. Adam Malin (Barry McGrath 40) 10. Trevor Smyth (Ross Callaghan 60) 11. Phil Toland 12. Robbie Kerrigan 13. Chris Shirley 14. Ger O’Gorman 15. David O’Kelly
 

Towns Cups – Naas J1s 8 Tullow 11 (February  10th 2008). 

The Towns Cup brings out the best from all sides and this game was no exception. With the demand for pitch space at Forenaughts being at a premium most weekends this game was moved to Friday night under the lights.  Several hundred supporters, including a large vocal travelling support, came up from Co Carlow and provided proof of the interest in this Competition.  

On the night, there was a strong wind blowing towards the Johnstown end, which favoured the visitors in the first half.  With the improved weather during the week, the ground conditions were excellent. The Naas lineout included several players who have only recently returned from injury and a number who, due to business or other reasons, were not available for the senior squad earlier in the season.  

The opening minutes were tough with both packs trying to establish superiority. The Tullow defence was using the wind to advantage with long accurate clearances from Will Cavanagh. On the Naas side Regan Phillips, Andrew Kearney and Mark Farragher were making hard yards.  Scrum half, Aidan Tyrell, was using the quick break from the base of the scrum to force Tullow to concede ground. The Naas pressure eventually forced the visitors to give away a penalty for offside, just outside their own 22.  Aidan Tyrell kicked well into the wind to give Naas an early lead.  Tullow responded strongly showing why they are one of the top three teams in Division 2. On 20 minutes the Tullow outhalf, Will Cavanagh, received the ball in midfield, just inside the Naas half.  With no obvious threat to the Naas line, the defence moved to meet the next onslaught.  Cavanagh, however, had other ideas and launched a booming drop goal to level the score.  From the kick-off Naas broke into the Tullow half.  Under pressure the defence launched a long clearance from inside their own 22. With the ball still in the air, the referee blew for a late tackle and awarded a penalty from inside the Naas 22.  Will Cavanagh again converted, this time with the aid of the upright to make the score 3 points to 6 in favour of Tullow. Over the next ten minutes both sides pressed for dominance.  However, the forwards cancelled each other out.  Some old fashioned foot-rushing reminded the older supporters of what it used to be.  Only the brave went to ground to retrieve the ball in these charges.  On 33 Minutes the first of four yellow cards was show to the Tullow centre Paul O’Sullivan.  It was unclear why the card was shown but the Tullow supporters reckoned it must have been for back-chat. Naas tried to press home the advantage and on 47 minutes were awarded a penalty.  Killing the quick penalty might have resulted in an advance of 10 meters on another occasion, however Aidan Tyrell just was just short into the strong wind, leaving the score 3 points to 6 at halftime.

The opening period of the second half was equally tough, with nobody wishing to surrender any ground. On 48 minutes, Tullow drove deep into the Naas half. Good cover by Niall Farragher saved the day. Mark Byrne replaced Ross Brosnan on 55 minutes. After some hard exchanges inside the Tullow half, the referee gave Aidan Tyrell and Joe O’Connor a ten minute rest. On 67 minutes, following a penalty inside their own half, Naas got the ball deep into the Tullow 22.  Tullow infringements resulted in a number of penalties for Naas.  On the third attempt Naas got a good drive on.  Munster style, the Naas forwards, assisted by the backs, pushed Tullow back.  With Mark Byrne steering from the back, Naas drove over for a try out wide.  Greg Delahunt’s conversion effort just missed.  

On 71 minutes, following some loose tackling by Naas, the Tullow forwards broke into midfield before releasing the backs.  The backs first moved to the right and then bring the forwards into play moved the ball left breaking into the Naas 22.  A maul stretched the Naas defence enabling John Fitzgerald, the Tullow lock, to touch down out wide bringing the score to Naas 8 Tullow 11.  Naas returned to the bench with David Miley and Simon Byrne replacing Vinnie Cuddihy and Sean Mahon.  

The last ten minutes saw Naas pressing hard for the one score needed to bring the game into extra time.  Unfortunately the loss of Johnny Holmes to the sin bin on 73 minutes did not help the cause.  Some sharp moving by Aidan Tyrell and Greg Delahunt allowed Shane Farrell and Shane Roe to break into the Tullow 22.  On 77 minutes the Naas attack was held up on the ten meter line.  Hands in the ruck resulted in a penalty to Naas.  Even allowing for the wind the kick fell just short.  With a long clearance into touch the referee blew the whistle for full time.  The Naas side were disappointed leaving the field, however, welcome return of several players and the performances for the team generally augers well for the squad.    The next game will be the Towns Cup Plate against Dundalk in Forenaughts on either Friday night or Sunday next weekend.

Naas Squad:  John Byrne; Kenny Byrne; Shane Farrell; Shane Roe; Niall Farragher; Greg Delahunt; Aidan Tyrell, Regan Phillips; Mark Farragher; Andy Kearney; Johnny Holmes; Sean Mahon (Simon Byrne); Ted Walsh; Ross Brosnan (Mark Byrne); Vinnie Cuddihy (David Miley) Subs not used:  Tom Clancy and Ronan O’Malley

AIB All Ireland League – week 6  Corinthians 11 Naas 10 (December 8th 2007).