ENERGIA ALL IRELAND LEAGUE – DIVISION 1B
Saturday 15 November 2025
Forenaughts, Naas Kick-Off: 14:30
Match Referee: Jack MacNeice
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE
On behalf of Naas Rugby Club, it gives me great pleasure to welcome you all and in particular our visitors from Blackrock College and their President Mick Dwan to Forenaughts, for today’s Energia All-Ireland League Division 1B fixture.
In the programme for the game against Highfield last month I wrote that I had no doubt that our winning ways would resume soon Thankfully, that was the case against our Cork opponents as we emerged victorious by 19 points to 14. Although we were subsequently on the wrong side of the result in a close game against Queens University, with a little bit of luck we could have left Belfast as winners that day We did return home with two points which could be extremely valuable by the end of the season
It goes without saying that we will have to be at our very best to topple this Blackrock side this afternoon. They are one of the form sides in the division at the moment having won their last three games against Queen University, Garryowen and Armagh, and will present a stern challenge for us here As always, regardless of the result, and just as importantly, old acquaintances will be renewed in the clubhouse afterwards.
I would like to thank our club sponsors for their continued support. A list of their names is at the back of the programme, and I would encourage you to support them where possible and also a special thanks to all our dedicated volunteers, coaches and referees who generously contribute their time to Naas RFC. However, the club always needs more volunteers to help out, and if you would like to get involved, please do not hesitate to contact me or any member of the Executive Committee.
For those of you who may be visiting us here for the first time you are more than welcome, and we look forward to seeing you return soon
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
After today’s fixture we travel to face Armagh on November 29th and Garryowen on December 6th, before we close the year and the first half of the season with a home fixture against UCC on December 13th All support will 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:62
Brad Clements
Perth, Scotland
NaasAILCaps:5
JamesO’Loughlin
Naas, Kildare
NaasAILCaps:37
Oisin Halpin
Colbinstown, Kildare
Naas AIL Caps: 5
Adam Deay
Clonmore, Carlow
NaasAILCaps:22
JamesStockwood
Bowmanville, Ontario
NaasAILCaps:4
Eoin Walsh
Rathangan, Kildare
Naas AIL Caps: 88
Will O’Brien(Capt)
Sallins, Kildare
Naas AIL Caps: 139
NAAS RFC SQUAD THE ATTACK
Tadhg Brophy
Kilcullen, Kildare
NaasAILCaps:19
Tom Monaghan
Kilcock, Kildare
NaasAILCaps:5
JackSheridan
Naas, Kildare
NaasAILCaps:39
Tom Bohan
Ballitore, Kildare
NaasAILCaps:4
PaddyTaylor
Kilcullen, Kildare
NaasAILCaps:22
CharlieSheridan
Naas, Kildare
NaasAILCaps:55
NaasAILCaps:76 13
DonalConroy
Athgarvan, Kildare
NAAS RFC SQUAD THE IMPACT
Tadhg Dooley
Ballymore Eustace
NaasAILCaps:16
DarraghMurphy
Ballyhackett, Carlow
NaasAILCaps:21
22. Dylan O’Keeffe
Athgarvan, Kildare
Naas AIL Caps: 4
John King
Athy, Kildare
NaasAILCaps:14
20
PaulieTolofua
Auckland, NZ
NaasAILCaps:102
CormacKing
Naas, Kildare
NaasAILCaps:23
21
David O’Sullivan
Kilcullen, Kildare
NaasAILCaps:15
Fixtures & Results
Naas 19 –
There was a real sense of optimism when Naas hosted Highfield in the Energia AllIreland League Division 1B last Saturday afternoon that a first victory of the season was imminent for the home side.
This optimism was based on the fact that this young side had been improving and gelling together at a rapid rate, particularly so on their last outing against Dublin University, when they were somewhat unlucky to come away from the capital narrowly defeated. Thankfully, this optimism was not misplaced, as Naas gained that elusive first victory of the season after a mighty battle.
When these sides last played each other back in April, Highfield emerged victorious by one point after a classic game in which no less than 85 points were scored. Some heavy showers last Saturday meant that this game was never going to see a repeat of that volume of scoring, but this contest was no less enthralling.
The Corkmen have started the season well, but in the early exchanges here they had no answer to a fired-up Naas side, who quickly exerted their dominance and were in front after just five minutes.
After big carries by Oisin Halpin and Adam Deay, scrum-half Tadhg Brophy spotted space down the blind side which he exploited, he then passed to Paddy Taylor who chipped over the head of the covering defender Jamie Shanahan, before gathering his kick and scoring.
Tom Bohan had the misfortune to see his conversion attempt hit the post, but Naas led by five points.
Highfield almost responded immediately when Jamie Shanahan gathered a clearance kick by Tadhg Brophy before kicking ahead.
Match Report
He was denied by Tom Monaghan who did exceptionally well to get back and win the race for the touchdown. But the Naas pack were dominating the set piece, the scrum were driving the famed Highfield eight back at a rate of knots and giving the home backs great ball to work with
Therefore it was no surprise when they went further in front after 21 minutes Donal Conroy did well to field a box kick by Tadhg Brophy and from this Naas attacked with purpose A long pass by Tom Bohan into midfield was gathered by Paddy Taylor, who in turn fed Charlie Sheridan The latter stepped inside a tackle before passing on to his brother Jack out on the left wing
The latter left his immediate opponent Nicky Greene for dead and raced away for a superb score It was a great return to the side for Jack who was playing for his first game in the AIL since last March due to injury, and with Bohan adding the conversion Naas were 12 points in front
Conditions worsened for the remainder of the half, and chances were few and far between, which meant there was no further scoring before referee Shane Gaughan blew the half-time whistle
From a scrum on their own ten metre line, some quick passes by the students moved the ball to Noah Byrne on the half-way
In a repeat of the first-half, the home side came out fired up for the second period and it only took them three minutes to increase their lead
The Naas pack charged at their opponents and were held up just short of the line, before the ball was spun wide out to Charlie Sheridan on the right wing and he scored unopposed Tom Bohan added the conversion and Naas led 19 - 0
Naas
It appeared that Naas were heading for a comfortable win and afternoon, but credit to Highfield, they responded in style and incredibly almost snatched victory from this uncompromising position. They began to get their hands on more possession and after 59 minutes they were awarded a penalty under the posts.
They declined the shot at goal, and elected to tap, and after multiple phases their player coach and former Irish international James Cronin crashed over from close range. Shane O’Riordan added the conversion to make it 19-7 in favour of Naas.
Highfield were growing in confidence, and they made further inroads into the lead after 69 minutes. Again, they were awarded a kickable penalty, and this time chose to go to touch. From the line-out they set up a driving maul, which the referee deemed was collapsed illegally by Naas, he awarded a penalty try and also showed a yellow card to Cillian Dempsey.
Amazingly after being in total control Naas had been drawn into a real dogfight and were just five points ahead as the game entered its last ten minutes.
The home side had the chance to settle their nerves after 75 minutes when following a high tackle by Dave O’Halloran on Paulie Tolofua they were awarded a penalty. However, Tom Bohan was narrowly off the mark with his shot at goal, although the Highfield player was awarded a yellow card for the incident.
The visitors threw everything at Naas in the final stages in a desperate attempt to secure victory
However, the home side defended as if their lives depended on it, while special mention must go to James O’Loughlin. The visitors had at least three line-outs to set up their driving maul which would have been extremely difficult to stop, but the Naas player soared highest and managed to deprive them of the ball.
After what seemed an eternity, the referee finally blew the full-time whistle, and the home players and supporters could celebrate a great victory.
This win will give this young Naas side great confidence and could be the springboard for a march up the table. They showed real grit and heart in securing the victory and there are a lot of positives to be taken from it.
Naas: Charlie Sheridan, Donal Conroy, Paddy Taylor, Tom Monaghan, Jack Sheridan, Tom Bohan, Tadhg Brophy, Stephen Lackey, Brad Clements, Adam Deay, James O’Loughlin, James Stockwood, Oisin Halpin, Will O’Brien (capt), Paulie Tolofua.
Replacements: Fintan O’Malley, Tom Adams, Cillian Dempsey, Darragh Murphy, Cormac King, David O’Sullivan.
Highfield: Jamie Shanahan (capt), Nicky Greene, Dave McCarthy, Dave O’Sullivan, Noah Patterson, Shane Buckley, James Brugger, James Cronin, Niall Downing, Daragh Fitzgerald, Dave O’Halloran, Dave O’Connell, Aidan Keane, Conor Galvin, Ryan Gordon.
Replacements: Mitchell Connolly, Cillian Buckley, Con Butler, Chris Bannon, Shane O’Riordan, Colm O’Neill.
Referee: Shane Gaughan Match report: Mark Herbert
Queens 36 – 31 Naas | 01 Nov | Match Report
After their victory over Highfield in the previous round of fixtures, Naas travelled to Belfast last Saturday afternoon in buoyant form to face Queens University, in the Energia All-Ireland League Division 1B.
Although defeat was to be their lot they left the north with two points, which could have been the maximum five only for some dubious decisions by the referee. This game was played on a glorious winter's afternoon, and with the perfect conditions and two sides intent on playing open, attacking rugby this led to a marvelous game.
Naas suffered a set-back in the warmup as Tom Bohan had to withdraw due to the injury, leading to Paddy Taylor moving to the ten position, and Dylan O’Keeffe coming in off the bench.
Despite this disruption they were in front within five minutes. After Queens were penalised for a high tackle, the subsequent penalty was dispatched to touch. Oisin Halpin secured the line-out and after a series of pick and goes by the pack, the ball was moved out to the backs, where a great offload by Paddy Taylor created space out on the left wing for Donal Conroy to score. Taylor added the conversion, giving Naas a dream start.
The visitors suffered a set-back after 19 minutes when Paulie Tolofua received a yellow card for a high tackle and Queens penalised this indiscretion immediately. They set up a driving maul from the penalty, which Naas were unable to contain and saw Henry Walker crash over for a try. Dan Green added the conversion to level the scoring.
Within 4 minutes Naas were back in front when a great line by Donal Conroy sliced the home defence apart, before he passed to Paddy Taylor who scored under the posts.
The latter converted his own try, but Queens responded straight away The visitors failed to deal with the restart, some quick hands by the home attack moved the ball wide to Jonny Scott who showed great pace to score Dan Green kicked the conversion, and teams were level again at 14 points each
Naas took the lead for the third time when a great scrum forced the Queens pack to collapse it and Paddy Taylor made no mistake with the resulting penalty, but just on half-time the visitors suffered another blow After a tackle by Eoin Walsh the referee Stuart Douglas had no hesitation in reaching into his pocket and brandished a yellow card to the Naas player
To say it was high was debatable, but what really incensed the travelling support was the inconsistency by the referee. Naas were penalised for two high tackles in the half and both infringements saw a yellow card being shown. However, the home side committed the same offence on at least five occasions, yet on every occasion they survived with their full complement of players.
Just like the first occasion Queens ruthlessly exploited their numerical advantage. They again set up a driving maul from the penalty and when this was stopped by Naas, Henry Walker broke away from the base of it to dive over. Then in first-half injury time the home side went through a series of phases which sucked in the Naas defence, before spinning the ball wide out to Adam Hewitt who scored unopposed. Dan Green added both conversions to leave the home side in front at the interval by 28 points to 17.
Green was again on target with the boot when kicking a penalty after 44 minutes to extend the Queens advantage.
It appeared that they had finished the game as a contest when scoring another try after 49 minutes. This time Ryan Street broke clean through in midfield before passing to Wilhelm de Klerk, who in turn shipped the ball on to Adam Hewitt to score. For the first time all afternoon Dan Green was unable to add the conversion, but his team looked safe leading by 36 points to 17.
Naas were to stage a tremendous fightback which almost snatched victory from the jaws of defeat. After 60 minutes some great work by the Naas pack drove the home side back and created space out wide for Jack Sheridan to score, and then after 63 minutes a moment of brilliance by Charlie Sheridan brought Naas right back into the game.
A long kick by Dan Green looked sure to have secured a 50-22 for his side, but Sheridan managed to stretch out and tip the ball back over his own goalline, preventing the line-out. He then gathered the ball, but it looked bleak for him with a blanket of home defenders converging on him. However he took off on a sublime run that left these defenders in his wake, and he was in the Queens half before he was finally hauled down.
However the damage was done, Naas had plenty of supporting players and a couple of passes later saw Donal Conroy running clear to score. Paddy Taylor converted both tries and Naas were right back in the game trailing by just five points – 36-31.
It was all Naas now and Queens were holding on for dear life.
But the referee again managed to draw the ire of the visiting supporters as in the closing stages he awarded two penalties to the home side, that were questionable at best. Firstly, the Naas pack drove Queens back in a scrum, yet the penalty went against them, and he then penalised them for obstruction at a line-out when a try looked on the cards.
Indeed, there was some sarcastic jeers from the crowd when he finally did show a Queens player – Billy Allen - a yellow card for a high tackle after 75 minutes.
The visitors simply ran out of time and were unable to get the score that would have secured the victory but at least they left with two points – a try scoring and losing bonus point. These points could be extremely valuable come the end of the season.
Queens: James Kerr, Adam Hewitt, Wilhelm de Klerk (capt), Ryan Street, Jonny Scott, Dan Green, Clark Logan, Jacob Boyd, Henry Walker, Bryan O’Connor, Charlie Irvine, Korede Sanusi, Will Cusack, Josh Stevens, Billy Allen.
Replacements: Jack Parkinson, Tyrese Abolarin, Flynn Longstaff, Kyle Ferguson, Jake Carpenter, Reuben Allen.
Naas: Charlie Sheridan, Donal Conroy, Dylan O’Keeffe, Tom Monaghan, Jack Sheridan, Paddy Taylor, Tadhg Brophy, Stephen Lackey, Brad Clements, Adam Deay, James O’Loughlin, James Stockwood, Oisin Halpin, Eoin Walsh (capt), Paulie Tolofua.
Replacements: Tadhg Dooley, Tom Adams, Cillian Dempsey, Darragh Murphy, Ethan Travers, Cormac King.
Referee: Stuart Douglas Match report: Mark Herbert
Spirit of Rugby
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