Naas played their final competitive fixture of 2025 when they hosted UCC in the Energia All-Ireland League Division 1B last Saturday afternoon. Buoyed by a great victory over Garryowen the previous weekend, Naas went into this game confident of continuing their winning ways, but a poor start put paid to that, as although they did manage to level matters midway during the second half, the effort in doing so saw the visitors finish stronger.

Great credit must go to both sides here as despite poor conditions they both endeavoured to play an expansive game, which led to a very entertaining contest for all present. Naas started with the advantage of a strong breeze at their backs, but despite this they were 14 points behind after just 11 minutes. Just five minutes into the game they lost Charlie Sheridan who received a yellow card for a no arms tackle – UCC elected to tap the resulting penalty which led to Sean Edogbo crashing over from close range. Soon afterwards some good play by the visitors pack took play up to the Naas 22, before the ball was moved wide left by their backs out to Evan Clarke who scored in the corner. Charlie O’Shea converted both scores to give the visitors their 14 point lead.

Naas needed the next score and to their credit they got this. After 25 minutes they were awarded a line-out which hooker Brad Clements threw to Eoin Walsh at the front. The latter immediately returned the ball to Clements, who drew in the UCC cover before passing it back to Walsh who ran in unopposed to score. Unfortunately the wind caught Paddy Taylor’s conversion attempt which drifted just wide of the posts.

Eoin Walsh was again to the fore after 35 minutes when he managed to block down a clearance kick by Christopher Barrett, before gathering the loose ball, giving Naas a great platform in the UCC 22. James O’Loughlin and Tadgh Brophy were then stopped inches short, before the Naas pack bulldozed their way over the UCC line, but they were unable to ground the ball and the visitors were awarded a goal-line drop out. However it was only a short reprieve for the Corkmen. Within sixty seconds a fine carry by Will O’Brien split the visitors defence, Jack Sheridan then took the ball at pace and his quick offload put Tom Monaghan through for a fine score. Paddy Taylor added the conversion. Just on the stroke of the interval a Charlie O’Shea penalty extended the visitors lead to 17-12, which was the scoreline when referee Daniel Carson blew the half-time whistle.

Just like the first half, UCC began the second half at a blistering pace and it only took them three minutes to score again. From a scrum in the Naas 22, Kamil Nowak picked from the base and fended off a couple of attempted tackles to score. The concession of this score will be disappointing for Naas, as they will feel it could have been avoided and with Charlie O’Shea adding the conversion they now found themselves trailing by double scores – 24-12.

But again the home side responded with a sublime try after 47 minutes. Jack Sheridan fielded a long clearance kick deep in his own half and some fancy footwork by him took play up to half-way. Stephen Lackey and Paulie Tolofua continued the move, Donal Conroy then showed great pace down the right wing before passing inside to the supporting Tadgh Brophy, who scored under the posts. The conversion by Paddy Taylor reduced the margin to 24-19.

After 56 minutes Naas were on level terms. A powerful run by Eoin Walsh took play into the UCC 22, Oisin Halpin and Donal Conroy almost got in for a score as Naas pounded away at the tryline, before Muiris Cleary sidestepped an attempted tackle by Sean Edogbo to dive over. This was the fourth Naas try of the afternoon securing a try bonus scoring point, but Paddy Taylor had the misfortune to see his conversion attempt - which would have put Naas in front - rebound off the posts.

However it was all to play for with the sides level as the game was about to enter the final quarter, but as stated it was the visitors who finished stronger. Almost immediately Charlie O’Shea kicked a penalty, and then on 71 minutes came the score which secured their victory. When they were awarded a penalty close to the Naas line, the visitors declined the shot at goal and elected to tap. A series of phases then followed before Kamil Nowak managed to dive over from close range. The conversion by Charlie O’Shea was successful, putting his side 34 points to 24 in front.

That ended the scoring for the afternoon, and UCC were able to see out the remaining minutes pretty comfortably in securing a fine away win. This brings the season to the half-way stage and sees Naas in seventh position in the league table. After a slow start they have gradually worked their way to be just eight points off the play-off places, so there is plenty to look forward to in 2026. They will get a chance to avenge this defeat as next up for them is the reverse fixture away to UCC on January 10th. This game has a 2.30pm kick-off, and as always all support will be greatly appreciated.

Naas: Jack Sheridan, Donal Conroy, Charlie Sheridan, Dylan O’Keeffe, Tom Monaghan, Ethan Travers, Tadhg Brophy, Stephen Lackey, Brad Clements, Adam Deay, James O’Loughlin, James Stockwood, Oisin Halpin, Will O’Brien (capt), Eoin Walsh. Replacements: Tadhg Dooley, Callum Coyne, Paulie Tolofua, Muiris Cleary, Cormac King, Ethan Travers.

UCC: Harry Murphy, Neville O’Leary, Gene O’Leary Kareem, David Cogan, Evan Clarke, Charlie O’Shea, Christopher Barrett, Sean Dunne, Stephen O’Shaughnessy, Danny McCarthy, Sam O’Sullivan (capt), Jason Aherne, Sean Edogbo, Dawid Nowak, Kamil Nowak. Replacements: George Rasmussen, Alex Hamilton, Ted O’Callaghan, Michael O’Sullivan, Jack Casey, Conall Cournane.

Referee: Daniel Carson.