For the penultimate round of fixtures in the 2024/’25 Energia All-Ireland League Division 1B season Naas travelled to Belfast last Saturday to face Queen’s University. Both sides went into the fixture knowing that barring a run of some unprecedented results they were safe from relegation, but while the threat remained we were treated to a decent first half of rugby here. However as the score lines began to filter through from the rest of the fixtures, leading to both sides knowing that their safety was secured, the intensity in the second half dropped leading to a scrappy last forty minutes.

Naas got off to a great start here and took the lead within five minutes. Queen’s University were penalised for having a player in front of Eamonn Rogers as he attempted to clear. The visitors went to touch from the subsequent penalty, and from the line-out they set up a driving maul which was collapsed just short of the line, before Will O’Brien picked up and crashed over for the opening try. Peter Osborne added the conversion. However Naas conceded a penalty straight from the restart which led to Queen’s setting up their own driving maul, and saw Henry Walker being awarded a try. Ryan Street added the conversion to level the scores at seven points each.

A Peter Osborne penalty after 11 minutes restored the lead for Naas, before they went further in front after 22 minutes. Clark Logan’s attempt to clear for Queen’s was brilliantly blocked down by Darragh Murphy and gave Naas a great attacking platform. After a series of phases Bryan Croke put in a lovely chip in behind the home defence, and David O’Sullivan won the chase for the touchdown. Although the conversion by Peter Osborne was narrowly off the mark, Naas now led by 15-7.

There was only one more score in the first period and it went to the home side after 39 minutes. Again they used a driving maul which Naas just managed to contain, but the visitors defence were unable to stop Jack Boal from diving over subsequently. Ryan Street kicked the conversion to leave just one point between the sides at the interval – Queen’s 14 – Naas 15.

The home side were in front just three minutes after the resumption. Naas made the mistake of kicking a goal-line drop out directly into touch, giving the home side a five metre scrum. Tom Brigg picked from the base of the scrum and he found Zac Solomon in support who was able to get over the line. Ryan Street was unable to convert, but the home side led 19-15.

As stated the pace of the game now dropped dramatically, and there were a lot of stoppages and handling errors by both sides. Indeed there was to be just one more score for the remainder of the game, this came after 69 minutes when Oliver Hughes powered over from close range for Queen’s. The conversion from Ryan Street was successful, leading to a final scoreline of 26-15 in favour of the home side.

But results elsewhere confirmed that Naas had secured their Division 1B status for next season. This is a tremendous achievement and all credit must go to the players and back room staff. They round off their season next Saturday afternoon with a home fixture against Highfield. Kick-off is at 2.30pm and all support will be greatly appreciated.

Queen’s University: Rory Telfer, Ryan Street, Wilhelm de Klerk, Callum Florence, Ben McFarlane, Eamonn Rogers, Clark Logan, Jack Boal, Henry Walker, Bryan O’Connor, Oliver Hughes, Charlie Irvine (capt), Zac Solomon, Will Cusack, Tom Brigg. Replacements: Josh Stevens, Martin Meenan, Paddy Martin, Harvey Patterson, Ethan Patterson, Fraser Cunninghmam.

Naas: Peter Osborne, Donal Conroy, Charlie Sheridan, Paddy Taylor, David O’Sullivan, Bryan Croke, Cormac King, John King, Aidan O’Kane, Adam Deay, James O’Loughlin, Darragh Murphy, Cillian Dempsey, Will O’Brien (capt), Ryan Casey. Replacements: Francisco Bartorelli, Conor Doyle, Cian Buckley, Jack Rogers, Derry Lenehan, James O’Kane.

Referee: Chris Lough.