Naas 27 – Nenagh 21 Match report: Mark Herbert Photos: Michael Linehan
If they were to regain the winning thread in the Energia All-Ireland League Division 1B, Naas had the considerable task of defeating Nenagh, whom they played at home last Saturday afternoon. The Tipperary side have been a revelation in the league this season. and sat proudly in second place in the table before this fixture. However it was a task that Naas eagerly took on, and with great determination and no little skill they obtained the maximum haul of five points from the game.
Naas showed they were up for the fight after just three minutes. They were awarded a kickable penalty after Nenagh were penalised for holding on at a ruck, but the home side made a statement by declining a shot at the posts and going for touch. James O’Loughlin soared high to take the line-out and Naas set up a driving maul which their opponents were unable to contain, leading to Aidan O’Kane scoring. Bryan Croke kicked the conversion and Naas had an early seven points lead. The visitors to their credit responded with a Charlie O’Doherty penalty after nine minutes and looked sure to score a try when their big pack powered over the Naas line after 16 minutes. However Naas were up for the battle and superbly denied the visitors from grounding the ball, winning a goal-line drop-out in the process.
Nenagh then suffered a sickening blow after 19 minutes. They attempted to attack from their own ten metre line but Paddy Taylor read the situation brilliantly, managing to intercept a pass and raced away to score under the posts. Bryan Croke added the conversion and Naas led by 14 points to three. That proved to be the interval score, although the Naas pack again did remarkably well to hold their opponents up over the line again after 27 minutes, while Jack Sheridan came close to adding a third Naas try with the very last play of the half. The visitors needed a quick start to the second period and they got it when Charlie O’Doherty landed a penalty within ninety seconds of the resumption. But Naas moved up a gear and pulled further ahead after 47 minutes. After great work by the forwards had supplied quick ruck ball, Naas attacked to the left which led to Michal Haznar squeezing in at the corner. Although the conversion was missed, the home side now led by 19-6. The second-half was being played at a relentless pace and Nenagh hauled themselves back into contention just three minutes later. From a line-out take by Jake O’Kelly, they set up a powerful driving maul which led to Dylan Murphy scoring, although Charlie O’Doherty was unable to kick the conversion. However almost immediately afterwards Naas scored their fourth try, gaining a try scoring bonus point in the process. And what a try it was!.
When Darragh Murphy received the ball near half-way line and tight to the touchline there appeared to be little danger for the visitors. The Naas man proceeded to run down the line and try as they might, Nenagh could not force him into touch. Showing immense strength he powered through tackle after tackle, and dived in at the corner for a superb score. Peter Osborne was narrowly off the mark with the extremely difficult conversion attempt, but Naas led by 24-11. Nenagh threw everything as Naas in a bid to get back into the game and were rewarded after 60 minutes, when Charlie O’Doherty took a quick tap penalty which caught the home defence unawares, and led to him scoring a try which he converted himself. But the visitors failed to deal well with the restart and were then penalised for holding on, conceding a penalty. Peter Osborne made no mistake with the kick and Naas were 27 points to 18 in front.
The visitors must have felt that they were going to make another big inroad into the Naas lead after 67 minutes, when following a scrum in the Naas 22, a long pass by Ben Pope found Conor O’Shaughnessy out wide. He looked sure to score but Peter Osborne summed up the never say die attitude of this Naas team, when showing great bravery to launch himself at the attacker and haul him down. A Conor O’Doherty penalty after 72 minutes made it a one-score game (Naas 27 – Nenagh 21) and set up a dramatic finale. However the home side dealt with the remaining minutes fairly comfortably and gained a well-deserved victory.
It would be unfair to single out any player after this performance, as it was a tremendous team effort. But special mention must go to the Naas pack. The Nenagh forwards are much vaunted, but on this occasion they had to play second fiddle to a home pack that were relentless from start to finish. Certainly on this performance Naas are a match for anyone in the league and they can approach the remainder of the campaign with extreme confidence. Next up for them is a visit to Dublin to face Blackrock College. That game is next Saturdaywith a 2.30pm kick-off and as always all support will be greatly appreciated.
Naas: Jack Sheridan, Donal Conroy, Charlie Sheridan, Paddy Taylor, Michal Haznar, Bryan Croke, Cormac King, Conor Doyle, Aidan O’Kane, Adam Deay, James O’Loughlin, Koloa Aisake, Muiris Cleary, Will O’Brien (capt), Ryan Casey. Replacements: Francisco Bartorelli, Stephen Lackey, Darragh Murphy, Cillian Dempsey, Peter Osborne, Derry Lenehan.
Nenagh: Charlie O’Doherty, Conor O’Shaughnessy, Angus Blackmore, Patrick Scully, Davy Gleeson, Ben Pope, Nicky Irwin, Sean Frawley, Dylan Murphy, Jack O’Keeffe, Craig Hannon, Kevin O’Flaherty (capt), Jake O’Kelly, Evan Murphy, John O’Flaherty. Replacements: Shane Malone, Matthew Burke, Fionn O’Meara, Joseph Coffey, Josh Rowland, Conor McMahon.
