Although narrowly beaten in their opening 2024/2025 Energia All-Ireland League Division 1B game by Highfield, the manner of their performance marked down Naas as big contenders in this division. Last Saturday they emphasised that theory in no uncertain terms, by handing out a 40 point beating to Queen’s University. In scoring nine tries they played some sparkling rugby and the other teams in the league will certainly sit up and take notice of this performance.
Both Queen’s University and Naas are known for their attacking styles and last season there was no less than 147 points scored in their two encounters. Therefore, a large crowd turned up at Forenaughts on a glorious Autumn afternoon last Saturday hoping for more of the same, and they certainly were not disappointed with 82 points scored here – and as stated the bulk of them were from the home side.
It took Naas just four minutes to get on the score sheet. Queen’s were awarded a scrum on their own 10-yard line but the power of the Naas pack drove them right back, winning a penalty in the process. The home side opted to go to touch and from the line-out they pounded away at the Queen’s line, before shifting the ball out left to Peter Osborne who ran in unopposed to score a try which he converted himself.
The lead was doubled after 12 minutes. Queen’s winger Ben McFarlane was penalised for a high tackle and from the subsequent penalty Naas set up a driving maul which was stopped just short. The ball was then moved into midfield, but referee Stuart McGaffikin penalised the home side for crossing. However, it was only a brief respite for the visitors. Within sixty seconds their scrum was again destroyed by the Naas pack, the ball came out the side which scrum-half Cormac King pounced on to race away to score. The conversion by Peter Osborne saw Naas lead by 14 points to 0.
The home side were playing at a pace that the Queen’s side simply could not cope with and within three minutes they were further in front when Charlie Sheridan broke straight through in midfield to score under the posts. Peter Osborne tapped over the conversion. To their credit the visitors did enjoy a few minutes of dominance after this, and they were rewarded when Henry Walker got in for a try from close range which Ben McFarlane converted to leave the score 21-7 in favour of Naas.
But the game soon reverted to its normal pattern with Naas dominating both possession and territory and the visitors were hanging on for dear life. After 28 minutes Charlie Sheridan made a half-break and when stopped his brother Jack was on his shoulder to take the pass before racing away to score. But the touch-judge intervened and the score was disallowed for an infringement in the lead up to the score and then on 32 minutes James O’Kane was narrowly denied when he was bundled into touch just short of the line.
But the attacks were coming in waves and it was no surprise when Naas went further in front after 34 minutes. Great hands by the Naas backs moved the ball out wide right to Peter Osborne who then passed inside to the supporting Paddy Taylor for a try which secured the try scoring bonus point, and this was followed on 39 minutes when another superb break by Charlie Sheridan left the visitors defence bewildered and saw him score under the posts. With Peter Osborne converting both tries Naas now led by 35-7 which proved to be the half-time score, although in first half injury-time Jack Sheridan put in a sublime chip over the Queen’s defence which he gathered himself, but unfortunately he stepped out over the dead-ball line before scoring and this score was also ruled out.
The second half started in a similar manner. Just four minutes into this period yet another scrum penalty was won by the Naas pack. This was quickly tapped by scrum-half Cormac King, catching the Queen’s defence unawares. A series of pick and goes followed by the pack which led to Eoin Walsh diving over from close range. The conversion by Peter Osborne made the score 42-7 to Naas. To their credit Queen’s never stopped trying and almost immediately Oliver Hughes got in a try which was converted by Ben McFarlane.
The relentless pace of the game showed no sign of abating and after 48 minutes Jack Sheridan got in another Naas try at the corner and the same player scored again after 55 minutes. After a great turnover in midfield, the ball was moved out to the left wing and Sheridan left the Queen’s defence trailing in his wake as he sprinted clear. Osborne converted one of these tries to leave the score 54-14 in favour of Naas.
With the game over as a contest the intensity dropped but the visitors got their third try of the game after 64 minutes when after a driving maul Henry Walker got in for the score which Ben McFarlane converted, before Naas responded with a similar driving maul move for a try which was awarded to Francisco Bartorelli. Peter Osborne with his eight successful kick of the afternoon added the conversion to make it 61-21 to Naas.
That turned out to be the final score, although for the remaining minutes Queen’s threw everything at Naas in a desperate attempt to get a fourth try, which would have given them a try scoring point. However, the home side were in no mood to concede, and some tremendous tackling saw the visitors leave Naas empty handed.
This was a complete performance by Naas who thoroughly dismantled their opponents and in this form they will be a match for anyone. Next up for them is a trip to Thomond Park next Saturday afternoon to face Shannon. Kick-off is at 2.30pm and as always all support will be greatly appreciated.
Naas: James O’Kane, Donal Conroy, Charlie Sheridan, Paddy Taylor, Jack Sheridan, Peter Osborne, Cormac King, Conor Doyle, Aidan O’Kane, Adam Deay, Koloa Aisake, James O’Loughlin, Eoin Walsh, Will O’Brien (capt), Ryan Casey. Replacements: Francisco Bartorelli, Kaleem Niazi, Darragh Murphy, Muiris Cleary, Michal Haznar, Lenny Valley.
Queen's University: Rory Telfer, Ethan Patterson, Ryan Street, Callum Florence, Ben McFarlane, Eamonn Rodgers, Harvey Patterson, Tyrese Abohalorin, Zac Soloman, Jack Boal (capt), Paddy McAlpine, James McKillop, Oliver Hughes, Henry Walker, Tom Brigg. Replacements: Joshua Stewart, Martin Meehan, Dylan McCauley, Josh Bunting, Dan Green, Fraser Cunningham.
