Naas began their 2024/2025 Energia All-Ireland League Division 1B campaign last Saturday, when travelling to Woodleigh Park in Cork to face Highfield. This venue has not been kind to Naas over the years, as they have shipped some heavy beatings there, but buoyed by their recent Leinster League success there was genuine optimism that this trend could be reversed. Unfortunately, defeat was again the fate for Naas, but only after a titanic battle. Amazingly only seven of the Naas match day squad from the corresponding fixture last January lined out on this occasion, but this new look side certainly were not intimidated by the surroundings here and gave as good as they got, and took what could be an extremely valuable losing point away with them.
Naas started with a slight wind advantage at their backs and played down the notorious hill in Woodleigh Park, but they were shocked by the concession of a soft try after just six minutes. They conceded a penalty for not rolling away at a ruck, and the Highfield scrum-half Richard Cassidy caught them off guard by taking a quick tap. He raced clear and ran in unopposed to score a try. Shane O’Riordan failed with his conversion attempt, but the home lead by five points to nil.
The game then settled into a familiar pattern with Naas trying to move the ball at every possible opportunity and play an expansive game, while Highfield content to play mostly ten man rugby and keep things extremely tight.
The home side spurned a great chance to increase their lead after 20 minutes. An attempted clearance by the Naas scrum-half Cormac King was charged down, and subsequently the away side were penalised for offside in their attempt to gather the loose ball. Highfield kicked to touch and after the line-out take by Eoin Keating, they set up their famed driving maul. However, Naas defended this superbly leading to Highfield themselves being penalised for sealing off the ball.
You could sense that Naas were settling into the game and they struck after 26 minutes. Charlie Sheridan made a half break in midfield and when stopped he found the supporting Aidan O’Kane. The Naas hooker sprinted for 50 yards and when he was hauled down just before the line, the ball was quickly recycled and moved out to Paddy Taylor who scored under the posts. Peter Osborne tapped over the conversion and the visitors were in front by 7-5.
Highfield stormed back on the attack and for the next ten minutes they threw everything at Naas, but the visitors defence would not yield and eventually forced a penalty to clear their lines. Within sixty seconds they were further in front with a brilliantly worked try. The penalty was kicked down to the ten metre line and the subsequent line-out was taken by James O’Loughlin. The ball was moved to Aidan O’Kane and his lovely inside pass to Jack Sheridan split the Highfield defence apart. Sheridan drew his opponent before passing to Eoin Walsh who finished off the move for a great try. Peter Osborne added the conversion.
Four minutes into first-half injury time Naas were awarded a penalty for a high tackle on Conor Doyle and Peter Osborne made no mistake with his penalty attempt from the ten-yard line. Referee Tomas O’Sullivan blew the half-time whistle immediately afterwards with Naas in front by 17 points to five.
Highfield needed the first score of the second-half and they got it after 49 minutes. After winning a penalty they opted to go to touch and set up a driving maul. This time Naas were unable to stop it and Travis Coomey got in for a try which Shane O’Riordan converted.
Naas did not get many scoring opportunities in the second period, but will rue one that got away after 57 minutes. A brilliant kick by Donal Conroy saw a 50-22 being awarded, but the referee penalised Naas for a line-out infringement which appeared very harsh and the chance was gone.
Highfield again set up a driving maul after 62 minutes, but this time Naas were able to contain it and eventually won a penalty after the home side were forced to hold on at a subsequent ruck. But the Corkmen’s persistence with the driving maul paid off after 70 minutes. By this time Naas were down to 14 men after Adam Deay had received a yellow card for a high tackle and not surprisingly when Highfield were awarded a penalty they again went to touch. The line-out was taken by David O’Connell, the maul powered over the line and led to Max Abbott being awarded the try. The conversion by Shane O’Riordan was successful and Highfield were back in front by 19 points to 17.
The home side managed to see out the remaining time quite comfortably, but they were mightily relieved when the full-time whistle was blown as they had received quite a scare.
Although Naas will be bitterly disappointed after coming so close to victory, they can take major positives from this performance. Highfield is one of toughest places in the country to get anything in. Yet this young side Naas squad with no less than eight AIL debutantes left with a losing bonus point. But for some very questionable refereeing decisions it could have more. An exciting season awaits.
Next up for Naas is a home fixture against Queen’s University next Saturday afternoon, September 28th. Kick-off is at 2.30pm and as always all support will be greatly appreciated.
Highfield: Jamie Shanahan, Luke Kingston, Elliott Smith, David O’Sullivan, Colin O’Neill, Shane O’Riordan, Richard Cassidy, James Rochford, Travis Coomey (capt), Daragh Fitzgerald, Eoin Keating, David O’Connell, Aidan Keane, Mark Fitzgibbon, Miah Cronin. Replacements: Max Abbott, Corey Hanlon, David O’Halloran, Pat McBarron, Angus Lloyd, Noah Patterson.
Naas: James O’Kane, Donal Conroy, Charlie Sheridan, Paddy Taylor, Jack Sheridan, Peter Osborne, Cormac King, Conor Doyle, Aidan O’Kane, Adam Deay, Eoin Walsh, James O’Loughlin, Darragh Murphy, Will O’Brien (capt), Ryan Casey. Replacements: Francisco Bartorelli, Kaleem Niazi, Koloa Aisake, Muiris Cleary, Michal Haznar, Lenny Valley
