ENERGIA ALL IRELAND LEAGUE – DIVISION 1B
Saturday 31 January 2026
Forenaughts, Naas, Co Kildare Kick-Off: 14:30
Match Referee: Keane Davison
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE
On behalf of Naas Rugby Club, it gives me great pleasure to welcome you all and, in particular, our visitors from City of Armagh RFC and their President Jim Crummie to Forenaughts, for today’s Energia All-Ireland League Division 1B fixture For those of you visiting us here for the first time you are more than welcome, and we look forward to seeing you return soon.
Our opponents go into today’s fixture in fine form, seeing off the challenge of UCC by 26 points to five last week, and now sit in fourth position in the league table.
That same day we lost out to Garryowen in a game that was played in Tullow, due to the pitch in Forenaughts being unplayable. I would like to thank the Tullow executive for hosting the game and for the marvelous facilities they provided Unfortunately, there was nothing they could do about the weather, as the game was played in dreadful conditions, and great credit must go to all the players involved for the performances that they put in
If today’s encounter is anything like the reverse fixture between these sides in the Palace Grounds, then we are in for a cracker On that occasion there were no less than 80 points scored As always, regardless of the result, and just as importantly, old acquaintances will be renewed in the clubhouse afterwards.
Congratulations to the Naas 2nd XV on their fine victory over Ashbourne in the first round of the Bank of Ireland Provincial Towns Cup last Sunday and I wish them all the best in the second round – a tough assignment away to Boyne RFC
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 our 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.
Finally, I am really looking forward to hosting the annual Naas RFC President's Dinner on 13 February in Lawlor's Hotel. Many thanks to those of you who have booked your place for what promises to be a great evening If you would like to join me on the night, there's still time to reserve a seat. Please get in touch by email at rmurphy@capitoloil.com or phone (087) 259 0449 Thank you
After today’s fixture we are away to Blackrock College next Saturday, 7th February Then, following a two-week break, we host Queens University here on 28th February. These are two vital games for Naas, and your vocal support for the squad at both fixtures would be greatly appreciated.
Enjoy today’s match, yours in rugby.
Ross Murphy
President Naas RFC 2025/26
NAAS RFC SQUAD THE PACK
StephenLackey
Blessington, Wicklow
NaasAILCaps:68
Brad Clements
Perth, Scotland
NaasAILCaps:11
JamesO’Loughlin
Naas, Kildare
NaasAILCaps:44
Darragh Murphy
Ballyhackett, Carlow
Naas AIL Caps: 26
Adam Deay
Clonmore, Carlow
NaasAILCaps:28
Oisin Halpin
Colbinstown, Kildare
Naas AIL Caps: 11
PaulieTolofua
Auckland, NZ
NaasAILCaps:106
Will O’Brien(Capt)
Sallins, Kildare
Naas AIL Caps: 145
NAAS RFC SQUAD THE ATTACK
Tadhg Brophy
Kilcullen, Kildare
NaasAILCaps:25
Tom Monaghan
Kilcock, Kildare
NaasAILCaps:10
JackSheridan
Naas, Kildare
NaasAILCaps:46
PaddyTaylor
Kilcullen, Kildare
NaasAILCaps:28
CharlieSheridan
Naas, Kildare
NaasAILCaps:62
DerryLenehan
Johnstown, Kildare
NaasAILCaps:37
DonalConroy
Athgarvan, Kildare
NaasAILCaps:83
NAAS RFC SQUAD THE IMPACT
FintanO’Malley
Johnstown, Kildare
NaasAILCaps:3
MuirisCleary
Naas, Kildare
NaasAILCaps:41
CallumCoyne Old Harlow, Essex
NaasAILCaps:3
20
CormacKing
Naas, Kildare
NaasAILCaps:30
Eoin Walsh Rathangan, Kildare
Naas AIL Caps: 94
21
Tom Bohan
Ballitore, Kildare
NaasAILCaps:8
Fixtures & Results
With the pitch at Forenaughts, Naas deemed unplayable, this Energia All-Ireland League Division 1B fixture against Garryowen last Saturday afternoon was moved to the 4G Pitch in Tullow. However, despite the pitch being in pristine condition, the conditions certainly were not - as heavy, persistent rain and strong winds made things extremely difficult for players and spectators alike.
Garryowen played with the advantage of the elements in the first half and wasted no time in converting them into scores Naas knocked on the kick-off and gave the Limerickmen an attacking platform that they did not spurn From the resulting scrum No 8 Alan Fitzgerald picked from the base and drove at the Naas line
When he was stopped Garryowen went through a series of phases, before Finn McCall crashed over from close range. Then after five minutes Rory Woods charged forward and after not being held in a tackle he got back to his feet, shrugged off another tackle and dived under the posts. With Lachlan Stewart converting both scores Garryowen led by 14 points
To their credit the Naas defence stood up and withstood a series of Garryowen attacks until being breached again after 23 minutes The Limerickmen were awarded a penalty straight in front of the posts but declined the shot at goal and went for a scrum.
Again, from the set piece Alan Fitzgerald picked and powered right up to the Naas line, and when the ball was recycled Luca Cleary passed wide out to Jack Delaney who dived over. With the conversion the lead was now 21 points Garryowen secured their try bonus just three minutes later, when they scored their fourth try
Max Clein found a gap in the Naas defence just outside the 22, he passed inside to Alan Fitzgerald who scored unopposed under the posts. The successful conversion by Lachlan Stewart made the score: Naas 0; Garryowen 28.
Naas finished the half well, managing to gain some possession and territory and were rewarded with a score just on half-time.
Paddy Taylor and Paulie Tolofua were stopped just short of the line before the referee Henry Richmond awarded Naas a penalty deep in the Garryowen 22. The penalty was tapped and big carries by Adam Deay and Muiris Cleary saw them nearly get in, before Tadhg Brophy switched the ball to the left with a pass out to Paddy Taylor who stepped inside an attempted tackle to score The latter converted his own try to leave Naas trailing by 28 points to seven at the interval
Naas needed a quick start to the second half, and this is exactly what they got. Within three minutes from a line-out just outside the Garryowen five-metre line, Naas set up a powerful driving maul that the Limerickmen were unable to contain and led to Paulie Tolofua scoring. Paddy Taylor converted to make it 28-14 in favour of Garryowen
With 37 minutes still to play and the elements in their favour Naas were back in this game, with every chance of taking victory However, this was as good as it got. The Limerickmen were able to deal quite comfortably with everything that was thrown at them for the remaining time, and Naas simply lacked the guile to break them down. There was to be no further scoring as the game limped its way to its inevitable outcome, with the weather showing no signs of relenting.
Naas: Derry Lenehan, Donal Conroy, Charlie Sheridan, Tom Monaghan, Jack Sheridan, Paddy Taylor, Tadhg Brophy, Stephen Lackey, Brad Clements, Adam Deay, James O’Loughlin, Oisin Halpin, Eoin Walsh, Will O’Brien (capt), Darragh Murphy. Replacements: Tadgh Dolley, Callum Coyne, Muiris Cleary, Paulie Tolofua, Cormac King, Tom Bohan.
Garryowen: Fionn Rowsome, Tom Ironside Wickham, JJ O’Neill, Jack Delaney, Sean Sexton, Lachlan Stewart, Luca Cleary, George Hadden, Max Clein, Ronan Foxe, Rory Woods, Finn McCall, Des Fitzgerald (capt), Billy Hayes, Alan Fitzgerald Replacements: Lars Linnenbank, Ben Leahy, Joe Finn, Sean Rennison, Chulainn Williams, Colm Quilligan.
Referee: Henry Richmond. Match Report: Mark Herbert.
Spirit of Rugby
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