ENERGIA All-IRELAND LEAGUE DIVISION 1B
Naas 14 – Garryowen 28
Match report: Mark Herbert
Photos: Michael Linehan
With the pitch at Forenaughts, Naas deemed unplayable, this Energia All-Ireland League Division 1B fixture against Garryowen last Saturday afternoon was moved to the 4G Pitch in Tullow. However despite the pitch being in pristine condition, the conditions certainly were not as heavy, persistent rain and strong winds made things extremely difficult for players and spectators alike.
Garryowen played with advantage of the elements in the first half and wasted no time in converting them into scores. Naas knocked on the kick-off and gave the Limerickmen an attacking platform that they did not spurn. From the resulting scrum No.8 Alan Fitzgerald picked from the base and drove at the Naas line, when he was stopped Garryowen went through a series of phases, before Finn McCall crashed over from close range. Then after five minutes Rory Woods charged forward and after not being held in a tackle he got back to his feet, shrugged off another tackle and dived under the posts. With Lachlan Stewart converting both scores Garryowen led by 14 points.
To their credit the Naas defence stood up and withstood a series of Garryowen attacks until being breached again after 23 minutes. The Limerickmen were awarded a penalty straight in front of the posts but declined the shot at goal, and went for a scrum. Again from the set piece Alan Fitzgerald picked and powered right up to the Naas line, and when the ball was recycled Luca Cleary passed wide out to Jack Delaney who dived over. Lachlan Stewart tapped over the conversion and the lead was now out to 21 points. Garryowen secured their try scoring bonus point just three minutes later, when they scored their fourth try. Max Clein found a gap in the Naas defence just outside the 22, he passed inside to Alan Fitzgerald who raced away to score unopposed under the posts. The successful conversion by Lachlan Stewart made the scoreline: Naas 0; Garryowen 28.
Naas finished the half well, managing to gain some possession and territory and were rewarded with a score just on half-time. Paddy Taylor and Paulie Tolofua were stopped just short of the line before the referee Henry Richmond awarded Naas a penalty deep in the Garryowen 22. The penalty was tapped and big carries by Adam Deay and Muiris Cleary saw them nearly get in, before Tadhg Brophy switched the ball to the left with a pass out to Paddy Taylor who stepped inside an attempted tackle to score. The latter converted his own try to leave Naas trailing by 28 points to seven at the interval.
Naas needed a quick start to the second half and this is exactly what they got. Within three minutes from a line-out just outside the Garryowen five-metre line, Naas set up a powerful driving maul that the Limerickmen were unable to contain, and led to Paulie Tolofua scoring. Paddy Taylor converted to make the scoreline 28 points to 14 in favour of Garryowen.
With 37 minutes still to be played and the elements in their favour Naas were right back in this game, and could be given every chance of taking victory. However this was as good as it got for them. The Limerickmen were able to deal quite comfortably with everything that was thrown at them for the remaining time, and on this occasion Naas simply lacked the guile to break them down. There was to be no further scoring as the game limped its way to its inevitable conclusion, with the weather showing no signs of relenting.
All in all a disappointing day for Naas, but they do not have long to wait to put things right, as they are back in action next Saturday, January 31st with a home fixture against Armagh. This game has a 2.30pm kick-off, and as always all support will be greatly appreciated.
Naas: Derry Lenehan, Donal Conroy, Charlie Sheridan, Tom Monaghan, Jack Sheridan, Paddy Taylor, Tadhg Brophy, Stephen Lackey, Brad Clements, Adam Deay, James O’Loughlin, Oisin Halpin, Eoin Walsh, Will O’Brien (capt), Darragh Murphy. Replacements: Tadgh Dolley, Callum Coyne, Muiris Cleary, Paulie Tolofua, Cormac King, Tom Bohan.
Garryowen: Fionn Rowsome, Tom Ironside Wickham, JJ O’Neill, Jack Delaney, Sean Sexton, Lachlan Stewart, Luca Cleary, George Hadden, Max Clein, Ronan Foxe, Rory Woods, Finn McCall, Des Fitzgerald (capt), Billy Hayes, Alan Fitzgerald. Replacements: Lars Linnenbannk, Ben Leahy, Joe Finn, Sean Rennison, Chulainn Williams, Colm Quilligan.
Referee: Henry Richmond.
Naas 14 – Garryowen 28
Match report: Mark Herbert
Photos: Michael Linehan
With the pitch at Forenaughts, Naas deemed unplayable, this Energia All-Ireland League Division 1B fixture against Garryowen last Saturday afternoon was moved to the 4G Pitch in Tullow. However despite the pitch being in pristine condition, the conditions certainly were not as heavy, persistent rain and strong winds made things extremely difficult for players and spectators alike.
Garryowen played with advantage of the elements in the first half and wasted no time in converting them into scores. Naas knocked on the kick-off and gave the Limerickmen an attacking platform that they did not spurn. From the resulting scrum No.8 Alan Fitzgerald picked from the base and drove at the Naas line, when he was stopped Garryowen went through a series of phases, before Finn McCall crashed over from close range. Then after five minutes Rory Woods charged forward and after not being held in a tackle he got back to his feet, shrugged off another tackle and dived under the posts. With Lachlan Stewart converting both scores Garryowen led by 14 points.
To their credit the Naas defence stood up and withstood a series of Garryowen attacks until being breached again after 23 minutes. The Limerickmen were awarded a penalty straight in front of the posts but declined the shot at goal, and went for a scrum. Again from the set piece Alan Fitzgerald picked and powered right up to the Naas line, and when the ball was recycled Luca Cleary passed wide out to Jack Delaney who dived over. Lachlan Stewart tapped over the conversion and the lead was now out to 21 points. Garryowen secured their try scoring bonus point just three minutes later, when they scored their fourth try. Max Clein found a gap in the Naas defence just outside the 22, he passed inside to Alan Fitzgerald who raced away to score unopposed under the posts. The successful conversion by Lachlan Stewart made the scoreline: Naas 0; Garryowen 28.
Naas finished the half well, managing to gain some possession and territory and were rewarded with a score just on half-time. Paddy Taylor and Paulie Tolofua were stopped just short of the line before the referee Henry Richmond awarded Naas a penalty deep in the Garryowen 22. The penalty was tapped and big carries by Adam Deay and Muiris Cleary saw them nearly get in, before Tadhg Brophy switched the ball to the left with a pass out to Paddy Taylor who stepped inside an attempted tackle to score. The latter converted his own try to leave Naas trailing by 28 points to seven at the interval.
Naas needed a quick start to the second half and this is exactly what they got. Within three minutes from a line-out just outside the Garryowen five-metre line, Naas set up a powerful driving maul that the Limerickmen were unable to contain, and led to Paulie Tolofua scoring. Paddy Taylor converted to make the scoreline 28 points to 14 in favour of Garryowen.
With 37 minutes still to be played and the elements in their favour Naas were right back in this game, and could be given every chance of taking victory. However this was as good as it got for them. The Limerickmen were able to deal quite comfortably with everything that was thrown at them for the remaining time, and on this occasion Naas simply lacked the guile to break them down. There was to be no further scoring as the game limped its way to its inevitable conclusion, with the weather showing no signs of relenting.
All in all a disappointing day for Naas, but they do not have long to wait to put things right, as they are back in action next Saturday, January 31st with a home fixture against Armagh. This game has a 2.30pm kick-off, and as always all support will be greatly appreciated.
Naas: Derry Lenehan, Donal Conroy, Charlie Sheridan, Tom Monaghan, Jack Sheridan, Paddy Taylor, Tadhg Brophy, Stephen Lackey, Brad Clements, Adam Deay, James O’Loughlin, Oisin Halpin, Eoin Walsh, Will O’Brien (capt), Darragh Murphy. Replacements: Tadgh Dolley, Callum Coyne, Muiris Cleary, Paulie Tolofua, Cormac King, Tom Bohan.
Garryowen: Fionn Rowsome, Tom Ironside Wickham, JJ O’Neill, Jack Delaney, Sean Sexton, Lachlan Stewart, Luca Cleary, George Hadden, Max Clein, Ronan Foxe, Rory Woods, Finn McCall, Des Fitzgerald (capt), Billy Hayes, Alan Fitzgerald. Replacements: Lars Linnenbannk, Ben Leahy, Joe Finn, Sean Rennison, Chulainn Williams, Colm Quilligan.
Referee: Henry Richmond.
