Naas vs Blackrock Matchday Programme 10 Feb

ENERGIA ALL IRELAND LEAGUE – DIVISION 1B

VS NAAS RFC

BLACKROCK COLLEGE RFC

Saturday February 10th, 2024 Forenaughts, Naas Kick-Off: 14:30

Image thanks to Michael Linehan Photography

PRESIDENTS MESSAGE I am delighted to welcome you all back to Forenaughts for our second Energia AIL Division 1b home game of 2024.

I extend a warm welcome to Paul Flavin, President of Blackrock College RFC, his squad of players and travelling supporters.

After last week’s break from AIL action, Naas will be looking to pick up where they left off with two wins in their last two games before the break.

Blackrock started the year with two hard fought wins, including ending St Mary’s unbeaten run, but came up just short against Garryowen before the break. They will be looking to get back to winning ways today and get back into the play off positions.

The reverse fixture in Stradbrook in November was a classic Division 1b encounter, with Blackrock taking the spoils with a last-minute penalty. We are all set for another thrilling and close match today and I wish all the players an injury free game.

In recent years Division 1b of the AIL has been the most competitive of the five senior divisions. And this year is no different, if anything it is the most competitive season ever.

Before the UCC match in January Naas were in sixth place. Two games, two wins and nine points later, we are in seventh! Blackrock are currently in fifth, just one point ahead of us courtesy of one more bonus point.

Probably the most telling statistic of all is that, in advance of today’s games, there is just four points between second and seventh place. Contrast that with the other four AIL divisions, where there is an average of 24 points between second and seventh! I think that speaks for itself!

Finally, in keeping with the values of the game of rugby please ensure that all players, coaches and match officials get the respect they deserve today.

Yours in Rugby Paula Laffan President Naas RFC 2023/24

NAAS RFC SQUAD 2. Niall O’Hanlon Athy

1. Conor Doyle Naas

4. James O’Loughlin Naas

6. Cillian Dempsey Eadestown

5. David Benn Naas

8. Eoin Walsh Suncroft

9. Derry Lenehan Johnstown

11. Sam Cahill Eadestown

3. Adam Coyle Naas

12. Lance Batten Harare

7. Muiris Cleary Naas

10. Peter Osborne Eadestown

13. Charlie Sheridan Naas

14. Donal Conroy (c) Athgarvan

15. Fionn Higgins Naas

16. Ben Howlett

17. Stephen Lackey

18. Francisco Bartorelli

19. Paul Monahan

20. Jack Sheridan

21. Ethan Travers

BLACKROCK COLLEGE RFC SQUAD Forwards

Backs

Replacements

1. Paul McSweeney

9.

Ross Barron

16. Liam Nicholson

2. Niall Hardiman

10. James Fennelly

17. Shane Connolly

3. Jack Mullany

11. Dave Heavey

18. Josh Dixon

4. Roy Whelan

12. Dave McCarthy

19. Jack Gardiner

5. Hugh Doyle

13. Matthew Dwan

20. Sean Coughlan

6. James Burke

14. Chris Rolland

21. Peter Quirke

7. Dave Fortune

15. Brian Colclough (c)

8. Odhran Ring

DATE FOR YOUR DIARY

Match Referee: Paul Haycock

Fixtures & Results

Division 1B Table

Date 07 Oct 14 Oct 21 Oct 04 Nov 11 Nov 18 Nov 02 Dec 09 Dec 16 Dec 13 Jan 20 Jan 27 Jan 10 Feb 17 Feb 02 Mar 23 Mar 30 Mar 06 Apr

Home Old Belvedere Naas Old Wesley Naas Naas Blackrock College Naas UCC Naas Highfield Naas Buccaneers Naas Garryowen St Mary’s College Naas Queens Naas

Score 18 – 20 33 – 50 48 – 26 14 – 25 41 – 38 32 – 29 35 – 29 29 – 38 12 – 13 50 – 12 36 – 24 15 – 21 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0

Away Naas Queens Naas St Mary’s College Garryowen Naas Buccaneers Naas Highfield Naas UCC Naas Blackrock College Naas Naas Old Wesley Naas Old Belvedere

Naas 36 – 24 UCC | 20 Jan | Match Report After their defeat away to Highfield on January 12th last in the 2023/2024 Energia All-Ireland League Division 1B, Naas had the chance to regain winning ways when they entertained another Cork side in the shape of UCC last Saturday afternoon.

Due to the counter attraction of the Leinster v Leicester game, and the fact that it was a bitterly cold day, a smaller than normal crowd was in attendance.

However, those that did turn up were treated to a fine game, which was a credit to both sides considering the conditions they had to deal with.

There was a gale force breeze blowing straight down the pitch, and Naas played with the advantage of it in the first half.

The home side knew that they would need to obtain a decent lead by the interval, so they would have been dismayed to have conceded the first score after ten minutes.

The UCC wing forward Jacob Sheehan made a break in midfield, and when he was hauled down the ball was shifted out to the left wing, where Tom Coughlan was waiting.

He sprinted down the wing, evading a couple of despairing tackles before finishing in style. Cian Whooley added the conversion and UCC led by seven points to nil.

Naas roared back into the attack but were frustrated by some fine defending by the visitors until the 29th minute.

Then Naas managed to turnover a ball in midfield before shipping it quickly out to Charlie Sheridan, and he needed no second invitation, racing away to score.

Craig Ronaldson added the conversion to level the scores.

The latter narrowly missed with a penalty attempt on 34 minutes, but within seconds Naas were in front.

Straight from the drop-out restart Muiris Cleary found a hole in the UCC defence and there was no stopping him as he galloped away to score.

Ronaldson again added the conversion to make it 14-7 to Naas, which proved to be the interval score, although Fionn Higgins nearly added another try just two minutes later, when he was just unable to ground the ball after a brilliant break.

However, the general opinion at the break was that seven points was nowhere near a big enough lead for Naas, considering the wind advantage that UCC would have in the second half. The home players proved this to be wrong emphatically.

Whatever coach Johne Murphy said to them at the break certainly worked the oracle, as they soon stamped their authority on the game. Just three minutes after the restart some great handling by the backs put Sam Cahill away and he finished in style in the corner, and by the 48 minute Naas had secured their try bonus point On this occasion Fionn Higgins put in a chip that was taken by Louis Bruce.

Naas 36 – 24 UCC | 20 Jan | Match Report He was almost immediately buried by the on-rushing Higgins. Naas quickly recycled the ball, moving it out to Charlie Sheridan to score. With Craig Ronaldson converting the second of these tries Naas now led by 26-7.

However, with such a strong breeze behind them UCC were always going to have a spell of dominance, and they reduced the margin after 55 minutes when some good work by their pack drove Naas back, creating space out wide for Peter O’Sullivan to score.

Then on 62 minutes following a UCC five-yard scrum, there was a series of pick and drives by their pack before they allowed their backs take over, leading to a Louis Bruce try. With Cian Whooley converting both tries, suddenly UCC was right back in the game, just five points down at 26-21.

Any doubts about Naas winning this game were erased on 72 minutes. UCC were awarded a scrum just inside their own half, but a great Naas shove drove them right off the ball. Bryan Croke put in a kick over the visitors’ defence, and Derry Lenehan was onto it in a flash.

He fly-kicked it ahead and won the chase for the touchdown for the score.

Into an ever-strengthening wind the conversion was missed, but Naas now led by 31 points to 21.

Somewhat surprisingly UCC elected to go for the posts when awarded a penalty on 78 minutes, which Cian Whooley successfully kicked.

But it was Naas who had the final say, when in injury-time Bryan Croke broke down the blindside to get in for a sixth try of the afternoon for the home side.

The conversion was missed but Naas had emerged victorious by 36 points to 24.

All in all, a decent afternoon’s work by Naas, with the full five points on offer taken and winning ways resumed. Next up for them is an away trip to Buccaneers next Saturday afternoon.

Naas: Fionn Higgins, Donal Conroy, Charlie Sheridan, Craig Ronaldson, Sam Cahill, Bryan Croke (capt), Derry Lenehan, Jordan Duggan, Neil O’Hanlon, Dominic Robertson-McCoy, David Benn, Conor McVerry, Paul Monahan, Muiris Cleary, Eoin Walsh.

Replacements: Adam Coyle, Conor Doyle, James O’Loughlin, Cillian Dempsey, Jack Sheridan, Ben Noone.

UCC: Louis Bruce (capt), Sean Condon, Darragh French, Peter O’Sullivan, Tom Coughlan, Cian Whooley, Andrew O’Mahony, Michael Cogan, Luke McAuliffe, Daniel McCarthy, Jason Aherne, Sam O’Sullivan, Nathaniel Edogbo, Jacob Sheahan, Eanna McCarthy.

Replacements: Adam Wrona, Alex Hamilton, Patrick McBarron, Peter Hyland, Jack O’Sullivan, Billy Kiernan.

Referee: Oisin Quinn MATCH REPORT: MARK HERBERT

Buccaneers 15 – 21 Naas | 27 Jan | Match Report The 2023/2024 Energia All-Ireland League Division 1B continued last Saturday afternoon, with Naas travelling to Dubarry Park in Athlone to face Buccaneers.

They left with a hard-fought win, with the foundations for the victory laid by a sterling performance by the pack.

Buccaneers thrive on dominating up front, but they were certainly second best in that department here.

Naas played with the advantage of the wind at their backs in the first half. They enjoyed most of the possession in the opening stages of the game and came mightily close to opening the scoring after nine minutes. From a line-out win, Naas set up a driving maul which took play close to the Buccaneers line and when it was stopped David Benn broke free and dived for the line.

However, credit to the Buccaneers defence they managed to hold him up, and an incident at the conclusion of this play, saw Dermot Blake show a yellow card to the Naas player and award Buccaneers a penalty to clear their lines.

Four minutes later the home side were in front, and Naas will be very disappointed with the concession of this score. When Josh O’Connor received the ball on the right wing, just inside half-way, there appeared to be no danger for the visitors.

As the winger cut inside, a series of missed tackles saw him break clear and he raced away to score a try. The conversion was missed by Michael Hanley, but the home side led by five points to nil.

Naas responded after 25 minutes.

Buccaneers were penalised for a side entry and Bryan Croke dispatched the subsequent penalty to touch. From the line-out Naas set up a driving maul, and when this was stopped the pack remained patient and went through a series of phases. They pounded away at the Buccaneers defence, finally getting over when Conor Doyle crashed over from close range. Sam Cahill added the conversion and Naas were in front by 7-5.

The remainder of the half had a very stop start nature to it, with several handling errors by both sides, but Buccaneers did have a chance to reclaim the lead just on half-time when they had a five-yard lineout. Muiris Cleary did brilliantly to steal this, and Naas were able to clear, with the referee blowing the half-time whistle soon afterwards.

Buccaneers were in front within 50 seconds of the restart. Naas were penalised for holding on in a ruck, and from 35 yards out Michael Hanley slotted the subsequent penalty to make it 8-7 to the home side. But the visitors completely took over for the next twenty minutes.

They camped inside the Buccaneers 22 and were rewarded with a try after 48 minutes. When Cian McCann was penalised for not rolling away the referee showed him a yellow card and awarded Naas a penalty under the posts. It was a certain three points, but Naas elected to go for the jugular.

Neil O’Hanlon took a tap penalty and when he was tackled the ball was quickly recycled to scrum-half Derry Lenehan.

Buccaneers 15 – 21 Naas | 27 Jan | Match Report A lovely reserve pass by him to Muiris Cleary caught the Buccaneers defence unawares, and there was no stopping the Naas wing-forward as he powered over.

Sam Cahill added the conversion and Naas led by 14-8.

They were further in front on 56 minutes.

A big carry by Francisco Bartorelli put the Buccaneers defence on the back foot, and great hands by Bryan Croke, Fionn Higgins and Conor Doyle quickly moved the ball out to the right wing, where David Benn was waiting. He put his head down, driving for the line and finished in style. A superb conversion from the sideline by Sam Cahill made it 21-8 in favour of Naas.

Buccaneers stormed back into the attack in a bid to rescue something from the game, and although Naas had a let off after 64 minutes when Cian McCann knocked on with the try-line at his mercy, in general the visitors dealt comfortably enough with the best efforts of the home side. Naas however did receive a big set back on 75 minutes, when Bryan Croke was shown a red card for a high challenge on Tom Shine. While there is no doubt that he made contact, he was a little unlucky in that the Buccaneers player was ducking at the time, and there was certainly no malice in the tackle.

The home side exploited the extra space created by the sending off, as after eighty minutes Cian McCann managed to get over from close range. Michael Hanley added the conversion, but soon afterwards the referee blew the full-time whistle, with Naas winners by 21 points to 15.

There is no doubt that this victory for Naas was totally deserved. As stated, the pack were outstanding and it would be unfair to single anyone out, as they all played their part. With six games remaining in the league there is certainly a lot to play for.

Barring a big collapse Naas appear to be safe from relegation and can now push on in their efforts to secure a play-off spot.

Naas currently lie in seventh place with 33 points but are just four points behind Old Belvedere who occupy second spot on 37 points. It certainly makes for an intriguing conclusion to the season. Next up for Naas is a home fixture against Blackrock College on Saturday, February 10th.

Buccaneers: Harry West, Josh O’Connor, Shane Layden (capt), Mark Earle, Orrin Burgess, Michael Hanley, Leo McFarlane, James Kelly, Matthew Victory, Sam Illo, Fergus Galvin, Ryan O’Meara, Cathal Walsh, Gavin Daly, Cian McCann.

Replacements: Oisin Dolan, Charlie Ward, Martin Staunton, Fionn McDonnell, Tom Shine, Conor O’Shaughnessy.

Naas: Fionn Higgins, Donal Conroy, Charlie Sheridan, Craig Ronaldson, Sam Cahill, Bryan Croke (capt), Derry Lenehan, Conor Doyle, Neil O’Hanlon, Adam Coyle, David Benn, James O’Loughlin, Cillian Dempsey, Muiris Cleary, Eoin Walsh. Replacements: Francisco Bartorelli, Stephen Lackey, Conor McVerry, Paul Monahan, Peter Osborne, Ben Noone.

Referee: Dermot Blake MATCH REPORT: MARK HERBERT

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