Naas concluded their 2024/’25 Energia All-Ireland League Division 1B campaign last Saturday afternoon when they hosted Highfield. With their Division 1B status already secure for next season, Naas had only pride to play for here, but the stakes could not have been higher for Highfield. They needed to secure victory here and hope results went their way elsewhere to avoid the dreaded drop. Despite many counter attractions there was a large crowd present on a glorious day, and they were treated to a thrilling game of rugby, with no less than 85 points scored.

The contrast between these two sides could not have been more vast. Naas endeavoured to play an open, expansive game, while Highfield were content to rely on their pack and their driving maul in particular. The visitors came out fired up and within 30 seconds they were awarded a penalty under the posts. However with a statement of intent they turned down a shot at goal and went for touch instead. Although nothing came out of the gamble on this occasion, this tactic was to pay dividends on numerous occasions later on.

Just seven minutes later when Highfield were awarded a penalty they again had no hesitation in going for touch. This time they got their famed driving maul moving, and when it was stopped just short of the line referee Graeme Ormiston was adamant it was done illegally, and ran under the posts to award a penalty try. 

Naas responded quickly and were back on level terms after 11 minutes. Some great handling by their backs created space out wide left for Derry Lenehan, and he stepped inside a would-be tackler to score. Peter Osborne made no mistake with the difficult conversion attempt. Straight from the restart Naas went back on the attack, the ball was moved out wide to Donal Conroy and his inside pass found Charlie Sheridan, who raced away to score under the posts. Peter Osborne tapped over the conversion and Naas led by 14 points to seven.

The pace of the game was relentless and it only took another two minutes for the next score to arrive. Again the Highfield driving maul was employed and led to Travis Coomey scoring, with Shane O’Riordan kicking the conversion. But Naas were back in front after 22 minutes. A lovely break by Charlie Sheridan found the supporting Donal Conroy who quickly transferred the ball to Cormac King, and the latter finished in style. The successful conversion by Peter Osborne made it 21-14 in favour of Naas, but Highfield levelled again after 26 minutes. Naas did well to contain a series of pick and goes by the visitors near their line, but eventually Miah Cronin was able to power over from close range, with Shane O’Riordan adding the extras.

Naas had their try bonus point secured by the 28th minute when David O’Sullivan sliced through the Highland defence to score, with Peter Osborne on target with the conversion, before Travis Coomey scored his second and Highfield’s fourth try of the afternoon when managing to squeeze in at the corner. The 100% kicking record of the afternoon was broken here, as Shane O’Riordan was just off target with the conversion. The final score of a frantic first-half came on 37 minutes, when some dazzling footwork by Charlie Sheridan left the Highfield defence bewildered, and saw the Naas man race clear to score. With Peter Osborne adding the conversion, it left the home side ahead 35-26 at the interval.

We had to wait ten minutes into the second-half for the next score. When Highfield were penalised for handling in a ruck the subsequent penalty was dispatched into touch. James O’Loughlin rose highest to take the line-out, and Naas then set up a driving maul of their own which was stopped just short of the line. The home side stayed patient, going through the phases before Adam Deay powered over from close range to score. Peter Osborne was again on target with the conversion.

Now 16 points down it was looking bleak for Highfield, but to their credit they responded in style. Another driving maul led to Travis Coomey scoring his hat-trick of tries after 53 minutes, and then with 65 minutes played, a series of charges by their pack put Naas on the back front, and led to Richard Cassidy scoring. With Shane O’Riordan converting both tries there were now just two points between the sides (42-40) as the game entered the final stages. 

Word was filtering through that scores elsewhere meant that a Highfield victory would secure their safety in the league, and in a dramatic finale they achieved this. Naas lost a line-out on half-way as the game entered injury time, and Highfield went on the attack and won a penalty after a high tackle. Shane O’Riordan handled the pressure brilliantly and from 35 yards out he made no mistake to put the visitors back in front. Soon afterwards the referee blew the final whistle and led to jubilant scenes from the large group of travelling supporters.

So defeat at the very end for Naas, but as already stated they had already secured their Division 1B status for next season. This in itself is a great achievement as the standard in this division is so high. Much credit must go to all the players and management team involved. 

Roll on next season!

Naas: Peter Osborne, David O’Sullivan, Donal Conroy, Charlie Sheridan, Derry Lenehan, Bryan Croke, Cormac King, Conor Doyle, Aidan O’Kane, Adam Deay, James O’Loughlin, Eoin Walsh, Muiris Cleary, Will O’Brien (capt), Ryan Casey. Replacements: Tadgh Dooley, Conan Dunne, Darragh Murphy, Cillian Dempsey, Paulie Tolofua, Ethan Travers.

Highfield: Jamie Shanahan, Ben Murphy, David O’Sullivan, Shane Buckley, Colin O’Neill, Shane O’Riordan, Richard Cassidy, Niall Downing, Travis Coomey (capt), Daragh Fitzgerald, Aidan Keane, Dave O’Halloran, Dave O’Connell, Ewan Kennedy, Miah Cronin. Replacements: Paddy Dineen, Mark Fitzgibbon, Con Butler, Adam Murphy, Barry Spearman, Luke Kingston. 

Referee: Graeme Ormiston.