Naas roared back to the top of the 2026/’27 Energia All-Ireland League Division 1B table with an emphatic 24 point drubbing of Dublin University last Saturday afternoon. They travelled to the capital having produced a series of brilliant performances to date this season, but if anything they surpassed them here. This was a complete all-round display with the forwards in dominant form and the pace, precision and raw talent of the backs bewildering the student side. The game was played in the idyllic Trinity College Park on a beautiful day for rugby, and with both sides being very attack minded, the game was played at a frenetic pace from start to finish.

Naas got off to a dream start, scoring the opening try of the day within four minutes. Some big carries by Darragh Murphy, Conor Butler and Oisin Halpin drove the home defence backwards, before Tadhg Brophy passed out to Muiris Cleary who took a great line to power over. Daniel Tickelpenny added the conversion. The home side replied within five minutes, when after a long series of phases, out-half Stephen McMahon was able to hold off a couple of tacklers to just make the line. Conor Tracey levelled the scores at seven points each with his successful conversion.

From there though the visitors began to impose themselves on the game and began to dominate both territory and possession. The students were forced into some desperate defence before they were breached and Naas deservedly retook the lead after 24 minutes. Some quick feet by Charlie Sheridan saw him evade a couple of tackles before being hauled down deep in the opposition 22. From the recycled ball, Paddy Taylor put in a deft chip in behind the defence with Oisin Halpin winning the race for the touchdown. Daniel Tickelpenny was just off target with his conversion attempt.

Then on the stroke of half-time, Naas struck again when following a scrum on half-way, Charlie Sheridan sliced through the defence and off loaded to the supporting Derry Lenehan, who took play up to the 22. When the latter was stopped the ball was moved out wide to Rory Taylor, who passed inside to Daniel Tickelpenny, and he finished off what was a great move. Although the latter missed the  conversion, Naas had a well deserved lead at the interval of 17-7.

Within eight minutes of the resumption the game was effectively over as a contest. After 44 minutes Dublin University attempted to attack down the blind side, but Donal Conroy read their intentions brilliantly, he intercepted and raced away to score. The same player was also involved in the try after 48 minutes which secured the try scoring bonus point for Naas. Again, the home side attacked down the left wing, but Stephen McMahon threw a wild pass that Conroy managed to control with his foot, before gathering and taking off. This time Zach Mulligan was able to get back to haul him down, but Conroy was able to pass to Paddy Taylor who raced away to score under the posts. With Daniel Tickelpenny converting both scores, Naas were now well clear, leading by 31 points to seven.

They were even further in front after 60 minutes with a sublime try. Muiris Cleary took a line-out in the visitors 22 from which Cormac King put the backline in motion. The ball was moved at great speed out to Paddy Taylor who then threw a long pass out to Donal Conroy, who slid in for another try in the corner. A magnificent sideline conversion by Daniel Tickelpenny put Naas 31 points in front.

The home side did manage to reduce the margin after 64 minutes when Artur Smykovskiy dived over from close range for a try, which Charlie Naughton converted, but it was also a brief reprieve for them as Naas struck again just three minutes later. The visitors turned over the ball just outside the students 22 and quickly moved it out wide right to Rory Taylor, who ran in unopposed for a seventh Naas try of the day. Again Daniel Tickelpenny converted to make the score 45-14 for Naas.

After 72 minutes following a loose clearance kick by Naas, a good passage of home play saw Zach Mulligan get for a third try of the day for the home side, which Charlie Naughton again converted. For the remaining minutes of the match the students tried desperately for another score which would see them earn a try bonus scoring point. However, although they were a long way in front Naas defended desperately, and were in no mood to allow their opponents anything on the day. Every attack was met by some shuddering tackles, and meant that Dublin University finished pointless with the visitors victorious on a 45-21 scoreline.

As stated, this victory saw Naas go back on the top of the table after six matches, as the league takes a brief break for the Autumn internationals. Naas go into this break in fine fettle, having played some outstanding rugby to date. They have scored an average of 37 points in those six games, picking up try scoring bonus points in five of them, and have marked themselves as one the leading contenders for promotion to Division 1A. Next up for them is a home fixture against Garryowen. That game is on November 28th with a 2.30pm kick-off and as always all support will be greatly appreciated.

Dublin University: Geoff O’Sullivan, James Browne, Mark Walsh, Callum McDonald, Zach Mulligan, Stephen McMahon, Conor Treacy, Karl Brennan, Harry O’Neill, Eoin McDermott, Jonathon Ginnety, Artur Smykovskiy, Daniel Cox, Conall Henchy (capt), Jack O’Neill. Replacements: Rory O’Connor-Hehir, Hunter Deane-Johns, Michael O’Sullivan, Cuan Doyle, Sean McDonald, Charlie Naughton.

Naas: Rory Taylor, Donal Conroy, Charlie Sheridan, Paddy Taylor (capt), Derry Lenehan, Daniel Tickelpenny, Tadhg Brophy, Jamie Bohan, Liam Gilheany-Black, Adam Deay, Oisin Halpin, James O’Loughlin, Conor Butler, Muiris Cleary, Darragh Murphy. Replacements: Harry Dunne, Stephen Lackey, Titas Cesonis, Paddy McMahon, Cormac King, Ethan Travers.

Referee: Daniel Carson.