ENERGIA ALL IRELAND LEAGUE – DIVISION 1B
NAAS RFC VS
Saturday April 6th, 2024
Forenaughts, Naas Kick-Off: 14:30
Image thanks Michael Linehan Photography
It is my pleasure to welcome you all to Forenaughts for our last game of the season. I extend a very warm welcome to Alan Wallace, President of Old Belvedere Rugby Club, his team of players and travelling supporters
This is the second time in three years that we have book ended the season against Old Belvedere In 2021/22 Belvo took the honours in a tight game in Ollie Campbell Park in the first match, with Naas winning the reverse fixture well in Forenaughts at the back end of the season
At the start of the current season, we again travelled to Ollie Campbell Park, but this time Naas came out on top in another tight encounter between two evenly matched sides
The result of today’s game is hugely significant for both teams for different reasons. Naas are looking to take the spoils to guarantee their Division 1b status, while Old Belvedere will be looking to deliver a bonus point win, to keep their hopes alive for a fourth-place finish and to squeeze out Highfield for the last promotional play-off spot So, with lots to play for, an exciting match is in store for the supporters.
It is also an especially significant game for Fionn Higgins. Pictured on the front cover, Fionn will earn his 100th AIL cap for Naas RFC and joins an illustrious group of past and present players with a century of caps for the Cobras Congratulations on a great achievement Fionn. We have included the number of caps accumulated by all the players in this week’s team sheet.
It has been a huge honour for me to have held the role of President of Naas RFC this season I would like to thank the members of the Executive Committee for their support throughout. To the past Presidents and members of the club who, through my role I have gotten to know, and who have showed me so much support, I am truly grateful.
To our senior management team, coaches and players I wish you every success today and thank you for making me feel so welcome
Finally, let me share for one last time, the important principle of respect for our game that I have shared each time our own and opposition players and the officials take to the field in Forenaughts
In keeping with the values within the game of rugby I hope that all players, coaches and match officials get the respect they deserve today.
Yours in Rugby
Paula Laffan
President Naas RFC 2023/24
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE
OLD BELVEDERE RFC SQUAD
Match Referee: Christopher Lough
A few words from Aisling Osborne, Naas RFC PRO
As we near the end of the playing season across all age grades, I have been reflecting on my first season as PRO for Naas RFC It has been a varied and very rewarding year, covering a wide range of activities on and off the pitch
Training, fixtures, results and match reports; area, provincial and international honours; lunches and dinners; club history and AIL milestones; camps, blitzes, and discos; rattlers, vipers, girls, boys, women and men – we’ve covered it all! And I say we, because I couldn’t have delivered on my brief without the help of so many people behind the scenes, who I would like to acknowledge and thank.
Firstly, to my Executive Committee colleagues, for your guidance and support To those who provided a variety of match reports and photos across the season There’s a danger when you start listing names that you will miss someone, but I do want to give a special mention to Mark Herbert and David Mckeown for their compelling Men’s AIL and Women’s Leinster league match reports And Richie Hayden, Corncracker Digital; Michael Linehan Photography and Yazz Coyle, Naas Rugby Photos for your videography and photography
And last but by no means least, to Paul Lynch who created and produced the new digital matchday programmes, the adult home team sheets publications, the match promos, fixtures and results round ups and an array of other digital content for our social channels
Thank you all sincerely for your support.
1. Jacob Barrett 2. Calum Dowling (c) 3. Hugh Flood 4. Fionn McWey 5. Connor Owende 6. James Doyle 7. Tom Mulcair 8. Kale Thatcher 9. Saul Fitzpatrick 10.David Wilkinson 11.Ariel Robles 12.Joe White 13.Jayden Beckett 14.Jack Keating 15.Gav Nugent Forwards 16.Cian Cunningham 17.Hugh Hogan 18.Paddy Dowling 19.Evan O'Boyle 20.Jack Dunne 21.Sean Donovan Backs Replacements
Division 1B Table
Date Home Score Away 07 Oct Old Belvedere 18 – 20 Naas 14 Oct Naas 33 – 50 Queens 21 Oct Old Wesley 48 – 26 Naas 04 Nov Naas 14 – 25 St Mary’s College 11 Nov Naas 41 – 38 Garryowen 18 Nov Blackrock College 32 – 29 Naas 02 Dec Naas 35 – 29 Buccaneers 09 Dec UCC 29 – 38 Naas 16 Dec Naas 12 – 13 Highfield 13 Jan Highfield 50 – 12 Naas 20 Jan Naas 36 – 24 UCC 27 Jan Buccaneers 15 – 21 Naas 10 Feb Naas 24 – 31 Blackrock College 17 Feb Garryowen 56 – 05 Naas 02 Mar St Mary’s College 31 – 17 Naas 23 Mar Naas 20 – 39 Old Wesley 30 Mar Queens 33 – 31 Naas 06 Apr Naas 0 – 0 Old Belvedere
Fixtures & Results
Naas travelled up to Belfast last Saturday afternoon to face Queens University in the Energia All-Ireland League Division 1B, knowing that a victory would secure their place in the division for another season.
But it was not to be After a narrow defeat the accumulation of try and losing bonus points leaves them in a strong position with just one fixture of the campaign remaining
This game was played on the 4G pitch at the Newforge Lane Sports Complex, and it is a surface that lends itself to open, attractive rugby, which is ideal for both these sides who like to play an expansive game The general opinion before the match was that this would be a very entertaining game, and that is certainly what we got
Knowing that the relegation play-offs were in store if they lost Queens started with real intent and took the game to Naas in the opening stages. They were rewarded for their fine start with a score after just 5 mins
Big carries by Alexander Clarke and Jack Boal took play deep into Naas territory, before a long pass by Harvey Patterson found Callum Florence out wide right, and the latter finished off the move to score a try in the corner James Humphreys added the conversion to leave the home side seven points in front.
But Naas settled into the game and were on level terms after 15 minutes. From a line-out take by Muiris Cleary the pack drove Queens back, before Will O’Brien managed to crash over from close range. Craig Ronaldson added the conversion.
Six minutes later and the home side were back in front. Naas were penalised for a high tackle and the subsequent penalty was dispatched to touch
The line-out was won by Charlie Irvine and Queens set up a driving maul which the visitors were powerless to stop and led to James McKillop touching down for the try Humphreys again kicked the conversion.
On 24 minutes it appeared that Queens were going to go further in front when they again set up a driving maul close to the Naas line However, this time the defence was rock solid and the home side were forced to abandon that plan of attack.
Eventually their scrum-half Harvey Patterson put through a kick that was brilliantly gathered by Jack Sheridan, who put in a fine clearance kick
Within 3 mins Naas also had a great chance to score A lovely soft pass by Craig Ronaldson put Donal Conroy away and he sprinted into the 22. When he was finally stopped, Queens were penalised for coming in at the side of the subsequent ruck, and the penalty was kicked to touch.
David Benn won the line-out and Naas set up their own driving maul, but the home side held this up which led to referee Paul Haycock awarding them a scrum and the chance for the visitors was gone.
But Naas did reduce the lead after 36 minutes From a scrum on the ten-metre line Naas moved the ball into midfield, where Charlie Sheridan took a great line that sliced the defence apart, and he sprinted away for a great score. Although the conversion was missed, Naas now only trailed by just two points – 14-12
However, Queens had the final say of the half, when in first half injury-time they again managed to get their driving maul working, which led to a try for Peter Heasley. This time Humphreys was not on target with the conversion, meaning that Queens led at the interval by 19 points to 12.
Queens 33 – 31 Naas | 30 Mar | Match Report
Naas started the second-half brightly and Craig Ronaldson had the misfortune to see his penalty attempt within 60 seconds of the resumption strike a post, and the same player was then narrowly wide with a longrange effort after 50 minutes. Within a minute of this the home side were reduced to 14 men, when Harvey Patterson received a yellow card for taking Ronaldson out in the air.
But after 56 minutes played Queen’s made light of their numerical disadvantage. They were awarded a scrum just outside the Naas 22, but the visitors pack made life difficult for them with a great drive. However, Robbie Johnston somehow managed to get the ball out of the scrum and he passed to Jonny Hunter. The latter took off on a mazy run, he managed to find a gap in the Naas defence and raced away to score under the posts. Humphreys kicked the conversion to make it 26-12.
Naas needed to respond quickly, and they did just that within 2 mins. Donal Conroy made a great break down the blindside and passed inside to Tadgh Brophy When he was stopped, Jack Sheridan was in support to take the pass and race away to score. Peter Osborne got the conversion to make it 26-19.
After 64 minutes Naas again found themselves 14 points behind when good hands by the Queen’s backs, created space for Rory Telfer who finished off the move for a good try, which was again converted by Humphreys. The visitors had to get something out of this game and to their credit they finished strongly
On 72 minutes, quick thinking by Tadgh Brophy saw him take a tap penalty, catching the home defence unawares. Some good quick passes by the backs followed and led to Craig Ronaldson scoring a vital fourth try for Naas
The try of the match was scored by Donal Conroy after 76 minutes When he gathered the ball on half-way there appeared to be little danger for the home defence. He easily beat a couple of tackles before chipping over the remaining defence, gathering the loose ball and raced away to score. Sam Cahill converted to make it 33-31
Queens were rattled, but Naas ran out of time to gain what would have been a tremendous victory They did leave with two valuable bonus points. As stated, this leaves them in a strong position going into the final round next Saturday afternoon
They are currently three points ahead of Queens who have a difficult task away to Old Wesley Naas are at home to Old Belvedere so on paper have the easier task, but games are not played on paper, so all support in Forenaughts next Saturday afternoon will be greatly appreciated.
Queen’s University: Rory Telfer, Jonny Hunter, Rory Ellerby, Callum Florence, Ben Gibson, James Humphreys, Harvey Patterson, Jack Boal, Alexander Clarke (capt), Matthew Miller, Jake McCay, Charlie Irvine, James McKillop, Peter Heasley, Tom Brigg. Replacements: George Coen, Andrew Clingan, Patrick McAlpine, Josh Stevens, Robbie Johnston, Angus Christie.
Naas: Peter Osborne, Jack Sheridan, Donal Conroy (capt), Charlie Sheridan, Fionn Higgins, Craig Ronaldson, Tadgh Brophy, Conor Doyle, Niall O’Hanlon, Connie Campher, David Benn, James O’Loughlin, Conor McVerry, Will O’Brien, Muiris Cleary. Replacements: Charlie Kings, Stephen Lackey, Paul Monahan, Eoin Walsh, Derry Lenehan, Sam Cahill.
Referee: Paul Haycock
Match Report: Mark Herbert
33 – 31 Naas | 30 Mar | Match Report
Queens
