Week 4 of the 2026/’27 Energia All-Ireland League Division 1B saw Naas travel North last Saturday afternoon to face Instonians. With the full impact of Storm Boelo gripping the country, many people were questioning if this game would be on, but luckily the worst of the weather abated before kick-off and the match went ahead as scheduled. Considering all the rain the pitch held up remarkably well, but conditions were still tough for the players, however they did not let this deter them, and served up a great contest, with the outcome in doubt right up to the final whistle.

Buoyed by their 40 point demolition of Blackrock College in their previous outing, Naas travelled in fine spirits, and they got off to a blistering start, going ahead within 45 seconds. A clearance kick by the Instonians out-half Josh Eagleson was blocked down by James O’Loughlin, and Tadhg Brophy won the sprint for the line to touchdown the loose ball. Daniel Tickelpenny converted, and when the same player slotted a penalty after six minutes, Naas were ten points to the good.

Although Instonians replied with a penalty of their own after 11 minutes through the boot of Josh Eagleson, Naas struck again with just over a quarter of an hour played. Tadhg Brophy scythed through the Instonians midfield, before sending a long pass out to David O’Sullivan on the left wing. The latter took play right up to the try line before being stopped, and with the Naas forwards arriving in numbers they were able to quickly recycle the ball. A pop pass by Tadhg Brophy to the onrushing Paddy Taylor followed, and he crashed over for a second Naas try. Daniel Tickelpenny had the misfortune to see his conversion attempt hit the post, but the visitors led by 15 points to three.

It got even better for Naas after 22 minutes. Cillian Redmond soared highest to field a high clearance kick by Instonians and quickly offloaded to Paddy Taylor. The Naas centre neatly side stepped a couple of attempted tackles and sprinted away, before passing to the supporting Lorenzo Palacio who raced away to score. The conversion attempt by Tickelpenny was narrowly off the mark but the lead was now 17 points.

Instonians had to reply quickly and they did just that, as they scored their first try of the day within two minutes. A series of big carries by their forwards drove the Naas defence backwards and eventually led to Liam Kaprigiannis scoring from close range, with Josh Eagleson adding the conversion. The home side were right back in the game when they again scored just on the stroke of half-time. From a line-out in the Naas 22, they set up a driving maul which Naas were powerless to stop and led to Oli Clark touching down for a try. With Josh Eagleson hitting the post with the conversion, the score was now 20-15 in favour of Naas, which proved to be the interval score.

The visitors had made a great start to the first half and they repeated the feat at the start of the second-half, by extending their lead within three minutes. A high up and under by Daniel Tickelpenny was gathered by Cillian Redmond just outside the Instonians 22. The ball was recycled by the pack and moved out to Muiris Cleary who showed some deft footwork to evade the home defence and race clear to score. Tickelpenny added the conversion and Naas led by 27-15.

However the strong breeze that had prevailed picked up in intensity during the second half, and with the home side having this at their backs they dominated territory for the rest of the game. Their driving maul had led to one of their first half tries, and was responsible for the next two. After 53 minutes from a line-out on the Naas 5-yard line the home pack powered over, with Oli Clarke scoring his second try of the game which was converted by Josh Eagleson. Then after 64 minutes a similar scenario saw Bevan Prinsloo scoring. Although Josh Eagleson missed this conversion the sides were now tied at 27 points all.

Instonians went hunting the winner but Naas defended magnificently and dealt well with anything thrown at them. However, it looked as if they were about to concede the winning score when on the stroke of full-time, referee Kevin Beakey awarded the home side a penalty for Naas not rolling away. To the relief of the visiting supporters, Josh Eagleson failed to connect cleanly with his effort on goal and pulled the ball badly right. But there was still time for one last play and Instonians took full advantage of it. The resulting drop-out was gathered by Bradley McNamara and he took play back up to the Naas 22. The ball was then moved to Lucas Kenny in midfield who in turn threw out a long, looping pass out to Bevan Prinsloo on the right wing, and he managed to dive in at the corner to break Naas hearts. Although Eagleson missed the conversion, the full-time whistle was blown immediately afterwards, with Instonians victorious by 32 points to 27.

A heartbreaking finish for Naas, but in the cold light of day it must be remembered that they left Instonians with two points gained and not many sides will do that this season. They still remain just two points off the top of the table, so they are still in a great position. Next up for them is a home fixture against Armagh next Saturday afternoon, with a 2.30pm kick-off and as always all support will be greatly appreciated.

Instonians: Bradley McNamara, Bevan Prinsloo, Lukas Kenny, Ian Whitten, Jack Truesdale, Josh Eagleson, Seb Clark, Anton Lupari (capt), Oliver Clark, Liam Kaprigiannis, Marty Vorster, Mark Mairs, Mark Lee, Paul Pritchard, Adam Boyd. Replacements: Jack Parkinson, Terry Coombs, Schalk Van Der Merwe, Kian Mulholland, Ruairi O’Farrell, Hugo Ellerby.

Naas: Cillian Redmond, Donal Conroy, Charlie Sheridan, Paddy Taylor, David O’Sullivan, Daniel Tickelpenny, Tadhg Brophy, Jamie Bohan, Liam Gilheany-Black, Stephen Lackey, Oisin Halpin, James O’Loughlin, Lorenzo Palacio, Muiris Cleary, Ryan Casey (capt). Replacements:David Upton, Finian Murray, Darragh Murphy, Conor Butler, Cormac King, Rory Taylor.

Referee: Kevin Beakey.