Match Day Programme_24Jan

ENERGIA ALL IRELAND LEAGUE – DIVISION 1B

VS NAAS RFC

GARRYOWEN

Saturday 24 January 2026 ** Blackgates, Tullow, Co. Carlow ** Kick-Off: 14:30 Match Referee: Henry Richmond

PRESIDENTS MESSAGE On behalf of Naas Rugby Club, it gives me great pleasure to welcome you all and in particular our visitors from Garryowen Football Club and their President Dave Geoghegan, for today’s Energia All-Ireland League Division 1B fixture. Our visitors are one of the most esteemed clubs in the country, having won the AIL League on three occasions, and their list of international players reads like a who’s who of Irish Rugby.

Today’s fixture brings back fond memories of the last time we hosted Garryowen back in November 2023. This was a game that has gone into Naas RFC folklore. On that occasion we trailed by no less than 33 points, 38 – 5, after just half an hour, before staging an amazing recovery to emerge victorious by 41 points to 38.

Garryowen go into today’s fixture with 20 league points while Naas have 19, leaving the sides seventh and eighth in the table respectively. The need for a victory for both sides this afternoon is vital which should ensure a rip-roaring contest. As always, regardless of the result, and equally important, old acquaintances will be renewed after the match.

I would like to take this opportunity to wish the Naas 2nd XV the best of luck in their Bank of Ireland Provincial Towns Cup first round fixture away to Ashbourne tomorrow afternoon. We have a rich history in this competition having competed in the very first renamed Provincial Towns Cup final a century ago in 1926. We have appeared in 10 finals winning the famous trophy on three occasions. Please support the team if at all possible.

Naas RFC and the game of rugby itself is founded on the values of integrity and respect.

Can I ask you to take a minute to read through the Naas RFC Code of Conduct in the programme. Please adhere to these guiding principles and especially show respect for our match officials. Without them we would have no game.

Following a pitch inspection yesterday, Forenaughts was deemed unplayable. Our sincere thanks to Tullow RFC who have facilitated the game going ahead on their 4G pitch today.

Finally, we lost a lifelong servant to Naas RFC shortly before Christmas. Pat Brophy was a former player, coach and club president. A regular visitor to the club on match days and at club events in his latter years, he will be fondly remembered and missed by many. In 2002, he wrote an article in the match programme for the Division 3 AIL game versus Ballina.

In it he reflects on the evolution of the club, winning multiple cup competitions and achieving senior status in 1998, together with the development of the youths and minis section in the club, the introduction of rugby to Naas CBS and the need for continuous improvement to the facilities. It is reproduced in today’s programme to pay tribute to Pat, his service to rugby and passion for Nás na Riogh. Rest in peace.

Enjoy today’s match. Yours in rugby,

Ross Murphy President Naas RFC 2025/26

NAAS RFC SQUAD THE PACK 2

1

3

Stephen Lackey

Brad Clements Perth, Scotland

Clonmore, Carlow

Naas AIL Caps: 67

Naas AIL Caps: 10

Naas AIL Caps: 27

Blessington, Wicklow

5

4

James O’Loughlin

Adam Deay

Oisin Halpin

Naas, Kildare

Colbinstown, Kildare

Naas AIL Caps: 43

Naas AIL Caps: 10

6

8

Eoin Walsh

Rathangan, Kildare

Naas AIL Caps: 93

7

Will O’Brien (Capt)

Darragh Murphy

Ballyhackett, Carlow

Naas AIL Caps: 25

Sallins, Kildare

Naas AIL Caps: 144

NAAS RFC SQUAD THE ATTACK 9

10

Tadhg Brophy

Kilcullen, Kildare

Naas AIL Caps: 24

Paddy Taylor

Kilcullen, Kildare

Naas AIL Caps: 27

12

13

Tom Monaghan Kilcock, Kildare

Naas AIL Caps: 9

Charlie Sheridan Naas, Kildare

Naas AIL Caps: 61

11

15

Donal Conroy

Jack Sheridan Naas, Kildare

Naas AIL Caps: 45

14

Derry Lenehan

Johnstown, Kildare

Naas AIL Caps: 36

Athgarvan, Kildare

Naas AIL Caps: 82

NAAS RFC SQUAD THE IMPACT 16 17 Tadhg Dooley

Ballymore Eustace

18

Naas AIL Caps: 19 Callum Coyne

Old Harlow, Essex

Naas AIL Caps: 2 Muiris Cleary

19

Naas, Kildare

Naas AIL Caps: 40

20 Paulie Tolofua Auckland, NZ

21

Naas AIL Caps: 105 Cormac King Naas, Kildare

Naas AIL Caps: 29 Tom Bohan

Ballitore, Kildare

Naas AIL Caps: 7

GARRYOWEN MATCHDAY SQUAD

1

2

George HADDEN

4 6

5

Rory WOODS

Desmond FITZGERALD (Capt.)

8

10 12

Lachlan STEWART

11

15

Ronan FOXE

Finn McCALL

7

Alan FITZGERALD

9

Jack DELANEY

Sean SEXTON

3

Max CLEIN

Bill HAYES

Luca CLEARY

13

Fionn ROWESOME

JJ O’NEILL

14

Thomas

IRONSIDE WICKHAM

REPLACEMENTS 16. Lars Linnerback 19. Sean Rennison

17. Ben Leahy 20. Chulainn Williams

18. Joe Finn 21. Colm Quilligan

Naas Rugby Football Club – A Perspective by Pat Brophy, 2002 Naas RFC was founded 80 years ago this year and for the first 60 years of its existence, the club struggled to field one team and had no permanent home of its own.

In spite of these difficulties, they succeeded in reaching six Towns Cup Finals, without ever achieving the ultimate reward. We owe a great debt to the many people who kept the club going during all that time, most of the time in the tennis club and latterly in Doyle’s field and the racecourse.

Patrick Oliver Brophy MVB, MRCVS 1940 – 2025

It was only in the 80s that we were able to buy our own ground and move here to Forenaughts, and the development that has taken place here since then can only really be appreciated by those who saw the place when we first arrived.

To fully appreciate the evolution of Naas RFC in recent years, one has to look at two areas of the club in particular. On the playing side, it is worth remembering that it was only as recently as 1979 that Naas won its first Leinster competition, The Michael Dunne Cup, and while we won the odd local and Leinster competition during the 80s, it was not until the 90s that we started to achieve our full potential, winning cups many times at all levels including U20s.

It was only in 1995 that we won the Town’s Cup for the very first time. In 1998 we achieved our ultimate goal of reaching senior status. This was a very significant achievement for the club as it not only widened our perspective by allowing us to come into contact with clubs from the four corners of Ireland, but it also raised the profile of the club both locally and nationally which is essential for our continued expansion.

It is worth mentioning that these achievements have been gained without compromising our amateur status. However, this unprecedented success was ably assisted by a series of high-quality coaches who all played a major part in these achievements.

The other success story for Naas RFC has been our youth policy. For some time, the club has recognised that its future lies in this area. To survive, we must produce our own players. The club also recognises that it has a responsibility to the community at large to provide facilities to allow the young people to participate in sport. I have no doubt that sport is vital for the development of young people and that the disciplines involved are of immense benefit to them. We owe a huge debt to the people who were responsible for the introduction of youth rugby to the club, and to everybody that has contributed to this area right up to the present day.

We now have over 300 kids playing underage rugby in the club, with more than 30 coaches who give unstintingly of their time and expertise to look after them. I must take this opportunity to congratulate all those involved with the youths for everything they have achieved, particularly those involved with the U10s and U12s who both won the Leinster Coca-Cola Cups recently.

We also have a Director of Coaching for youth rugby and a Youth Development Officer, both of whom are making a huge contribution to the continued development of underage rugby in the club and in the local community. The Youth Development Officer is involved mainly with the schools in the locality, both Primary and Secondary. To date, he has introduced rugby to two secondary and six primary schools in the locality.

One of the most exciting developments in this area has been the introduction of rugby to Naas CBS. Anyone who has been here recently couldn’t but have been impressed with the performance of the Junior Cup team for Naas CBS against Newbridge College. A game the Naas boys could have won, losing 31-22.

Subsequently, they have reached the semi-final of Section A of the Leinster Schools Cup and hopefully, they can win this competition.

Their achievement to date has been exceptional for a school participating in this competition for the first time. The Director of Coaching’s role is to improve the playing standards throughout the entire youth section, and his contribution can be seen already to be having a major impact.

The most recent development has been the switching on of the floodlights. This has been a major achievement for Naas RFC and has opened up exciting possibilities for rugby under lights, which will hopefully attract many people to Forenaughts in the future.

What of the future? There is no doubt that the continued growth of the club places ever-increasing demands on our resources, both for pitches and for ancillary support facilities, particularly for players at all levels. In the short term, we are about to start the installation of a revolutionary all-weather training pitch, which will relieve the wear on the grass pitches and allow for meaningful training in all weather conditions.

In the longer term, it is becoming obvious that we will require extra playing pitches to accommodate the ever-increasing number of teams in the club and this will become a priority over the next few years.

On a purely personal note, I feel that we must try to improve the appearance of the premises as a whole, and particularly the car park which should be tarmacadamed as soon as possible.

“

“

That is Naas RFC as I see it, now, and in the future, and I hope that the people of Naas and its surrounds will continue to support the club in any way they can.

Home Instonians Naas Dublin University Naas Queens Naas City of Armagh Garryowen Naas UCC Naas Naas Blackrock College Naas Highfield Naas Old Wesley Naas

Score 32 – 13 15 – 33 21 – 18 19 – 14 36 – 31 32 – 20 47 – 33 19 – 24 24 – 34 41 – 28 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0

Away Naas Old Wesley Naas Highfield Naas Blackrock College Naas Naas UCC Naas Garryowen City of Armagh Naas Queens Naas Dublin University Naas Instonians

Division 1B Table

Fixtures & Results

Date 27 Sep 04 Oct 11 Oct 25 Oct 01 Nov 15 Nov 29 Nov 06 Dec 13 Dec 10 Jan 24 Jan 31 Jan 07 Feb 28 Feb 07 Mar 21 Mar 28 Mar 04 Apr

UCC 41 – 28 Naas | 10 Jan 2026 | Match Report After the Christmas break, the Energia AllIreland League Division 1B resumed on Saturday afternoon, 10 January with Naas travelling down to Cork to face UCC. Despite wet, damp conditions, both sides endeavoured to play open, attacking rugby and as a result the attendance were treated to a superb game, with no less than 69 points being scored. It was a match that Naas will have nightmares about, as it is certainly one that they could have emerged victorious from – but a dreadful start to the second half ultimately proved to be their downfall.

It took a little for the rustiness after the break to wear off, but the game burst into life after ten minutes when Naas took the lead. The visitors attacked from the halfway line, a nice pass by Adam Deay put Muiris Cleary into space, the latter then sprinted away and was up to the UCC 22 before he was hauled down. When stopped he off-loaded to the supporting Paddy Taylor who finished well in the right corner. A super conversion by Taylor put Naas seven points in front.

It took UCC until the half-hour mark to respond. They had tried a driving maul on a couple of prior occasions without success, but this time it set the platform for a score. From a line-out the maul was again formed, and they marched right up to the Naas line before being stopped.

The home side stayed patient, a series of pick and goes followed, before Kamil Nowak crashed over from close range.

Surprisingly Charlie O’Shea missed the relatively easy conversion attempt.

Within two minutes UCC were in front for the first time. A brilliant break by David Nowak took play into the Naas 22.

The ball then went through the hands of Jack Casey and Harry Murphy out to the supporting Charlie O’Shea who finished off a fine move. Again, the latter was unable to convert, but UCC led by 10 points to seven.

However, it was Naas who were to have the final say of the half. In injury time, from a line-out just outside the UCC 22, the ball was moved out to Tom Bohan who passed inside to Jack Sheridan, and despite the best efforts of two defenders the Naas winger showed great strength in brushing off their attempted tackles, before racing clear to score under the posts. Paddy Taylor added the conversion and Naas led 14-10 at the interval.

But the visitors had a dreadful start to the second half and conceded a try within 21 seconds of the resumption. From the restart they attempted to move the ball, but David Cogan was lurking, he gleefully intercepted and raced clear to score. It was a case of déjà vu after 48 minutes.

Again, Naas attempted to run a ball just inside their own half, and again Cogan was waiting, making the intercept and despite the best efforts of Tadgh Brophy he just made the line to score. Charlie O’Shea converted both scores and UCC now led 24-14.

These were two sickening blows for Naas but to their credit they did not lie down and responded within three minutes. The visitors attacked from the ten-metre line and the ball was moved left to Donal Conroy who had joined the attack from the opposite wing. He sliced through the home defence before putting Jack Sheridan in for a score in the corner.

Paddy Taylor slotted the resulting conversion to reduce the margin back to three points.

UCC 41 – 28 Naas | 10 Jan 2026 | Match Report The lead was extended back out to ten points after 66 minutes. A fine break by Jack Casey had the Naas defence scrambling deep in their own 22, the ball was then recycled and moved out to Gene O’Leary Kareem who had a two man overlap outside him.

However, Jack Sheridan managed to get a hand on his subsequent pass and tip it away. Referee Shane Gaughan had no hesitation in awarding a penalty try to the home side for a deliberate knock on and brandished a yellow card to the Naas player.

Again, Naas responded quickly and scored the try of the match after 69 minutes. From deep in their own half the visitors attacked and moved the ball out wide to Donal Conroy. He chipped over the heads of the UCC backs and showed great pace to gather his own kick.

He then put in a sublime crossfield kick that was gathered by Eoin Walsh who ran in unopposed to score under the posts. Paddy Taylor added the conversion to make the score the 3128 in favour of UCC. This score meant that Naas had bagged a try scoring bonus point, with the chance of more to come if they could grab victory in the last ten minutes. However, it was not to be, and the home side finished stronger.

After 72 minutes a powerful run by Jason Aherne saw him score in the corner.

And with Charlie O’Shea adding the conversion and a penalty in injury time the home side ran out winners on a 41-28 scoreline.

As stated, Naas will be extremely disappointed with this loss as the concession of two intercept tries within eight minutes during the second half proved to be their downfall.

However they at least had the consolation of leaving Cork with a try scoring bonus point, which could be vital come the end of the season.

UCC: Harry Murphy, Neville O’Leary, Gene O’Leary Kareem, David Cogan, Mark Hetherington, Charlie O’Shea, Jack Casey, Sean Dunne, Stephen O’Shaughnessy, Danny McCarthy, Sam O’Sullivan (capt), Jason Aherne, Michael O’Sullivan, David Nowak, Kamil Nowak.

Replacements: Daragh Prenter, Alex Hamilton, Ted O’Callaghan, Conor Kidney, Paddy Gaffney, David Keily.

Naas: Charlie Sheridan, Donal Conroy, Paddy Taylor, Tom Monaghan, Jack Sheridan, Tom Bohan, Tadhg Brophy, Stephen Lackey, Brad Clements, Adam Deay, James O’Loughlin, Oisin Halpin, Darragh Murphy, Muiris Cleary, Paulie Tolofua (capt).

Replacements: Fintan O’Malley, Callum Coyne, Eoin Walsh, Conor Butler, Cormac King, Dylan O’Keeffe.

Referee: Shane Gaughan Match report: Mark Herbert

Spirit of Rugby

NAAS RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB CODE OF CONDUCT FOR MEMBERS, PLAYERS, COACHES & SUPPORTERS A person shall NOT ABUSE, THREATEN OR INTIMIDATE a player, referee, touch judge, match official or steward whether on or off the field of play and on club grounds.

A person (inclusive of players) shall NOT USE RACIAL, CRUDE OR ABUSIVE LANGUAGE OR GESTURES TOWARDS a player, referee, touch judge, match official, steward or spectator.

CLUB OFFICIALS AND STEWARDS Shall be entitled to request any person to leave the club grounds for behaviour that they deem to be inappropriate or in breach of the code of conduct.

THE CLUB RESERVES THE EXCLUSIVE RIGHT TO REFUSE ADMISSION TO THE GROUNDS.

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