Match Report: Dermot Benn 
Photos: Thanks to Naas Rugby Photographs 

Naas RFC Men’s J2s produced a total panel performance to defeat a highly rated North Meath RFC firsts squad 37 - 24 in an entertaining semi-final of the Provincial Towns Seconds Cup on Easter Sunday. 

The game was played in near perfect conditions on a beautifully presented North Kildare rugby grounds in front of a large and noisy group of Naas and North Meath supporters.

In a game which yielded eight tries and brilliant passages of play, both team’s supporters were thoroughly entertained. A full team of diligent refereeing officials managed the game really well enabling both teams to play to their strengths. 

North Meath, fresh from a successful season playing free-flowing, high scoring rugby were equally matched by a resolute Naas team that defended every attack with a well organised resistance fully committed to the cause.

The first quarter was dominated by the Meath side who played with a slight breeze. A penalty after two minutes followed by an intercept try on 15 seemed to put the Royal County men in a strong position. However, at 10-nil in arrears, Naas sprung to life and for the next 10 minutes the two sides battled for dominance. 

Superb Naas defence, led by hard-working Captain Eoin Tierney repelled every full-on attack by their Meathopponents. The youthful and lively Naas Back line, marshalled by Andy Shanahan attacked their opponents at every opportunity which thwarted their opponents attacking style.

Rampaging runs by Winger Tim Courtney, supported in attack by James Farrell in conjunction with superb defensive tackling by centres Oisin Tryell and Andy Shanahan over the next 10 minutes enabled Naas to create opportunities to score.  

A brace of tries on 31 and 35 minutes by AIL veteran David Benn had the Cobras back on deserved level terms. In fact they were unlucky not to score a third try by Evan Coyle to take the lead.

To North Meath RFC’s credit, they did not take the momentum shift lying down and just on half time scored under the posts after their scrumhalf took a quick tap penalty outside the Kildare sides 22 and set up an attack which was held up short of the line. 

The Meath men’s powerful forwards took on the challenge and despite heroic efforts by loosehead Cian Murphy and flanker Conor McGroary, the Meathmen forced their way over the whitewash to score, and converted to lead 17 - 10 at the half time break.

A calm Management Team of Gearoid Comber, Bryan Gallagher, Kenneh Gralton and wonder waterboy Mike Higgins identified their opponents potential weaknesses and devised a plan of attack. A strategy of utilising the light wind and kicking long and behind the opposition to give opportunity to the Cobras speedy backline was put in to action.

In cup matches keeping the scoreboard ticking over is the order of the day. John Shanahan kicked 2 penalties on 43 and 59 minutes to reduce the lead to a single point 17 - 16 with 20 minutes to play. The last quarter was owned by Naas where they scored a further three tries to take and hold the lead to the end.

A solid scrum and an excellent lineout with precise darts from Hooker Joe McSherry to the superb high jumping Murphy brothers Andy and Aaron laid the foundations for their success. The Naas side won all their lineouts and in defence disrupted North Meath’s efforts enough to delay any quick ball to their opponents. Ferocious tackling by substitutes Sean McNamee and Philip Jordan kept the Royalists at bay time and again.

As the game progressed Naas dominated territory and continued to deny the North Meath men space which contained their potent attack. In the 60th minute a scintillating attack by John Shanahan opened up the opponents defence and with a deft pass to Andy Murphy the athletic second rowleft the Meathmen trailing in his wake as he crossed for Naas’s third try to take the lead 23 - 17.

On the 71st minute Cobra’s scored a well organised team try. A super kick to the corner off a penalty from 35m set up an opportunity to attack the North Meath try line. Winning the lineout and quickly forming a powerful maul created the opportunity for Philip Jordan to touch down. A confident conversion strike by John Shanahan extended the lead 30 - 17.

Richie Brophy playing quick ball from the back of a solid Naas scrum gave opportunity to outhalf Josh Murphy to vary his play. This strategy paid dividends in the 2nd half when Naas took control of the game. The onlooking former Lions, Ireland and Leicester Full Back Geordan Murphy was delighted to witness a couple of long spiral kicks from his nephew Josh causing havoc in the Meath sides defence. 

One of these rangy punts was bravely won by speedy winger Lochlann Cawley who got between two North Meath defenders to fetch the ball and following a dazzling run laid off a beautiful inside pass to set up the ever-threatening John Shanahan to score. This was the final Naas score for a 37 - 17 lead on 74 minutes.

Naas defended so well that they only allowed North Meath team to score in the last play of the game. Although the scoreline read 37 - 24 the game was a much tighter affair. The experience of the Naas veterans alongside their youngerteammates controlled the game to see it out to victory.

With a short break to the final, regular starters who are carrying injuries, including Conor Sheridan, Kenneth Gralton and John McKeown, will hope to recover to get back on to the starting 15. The loss of No 8 Evan Coyle, who is travelling,will be significant.

For every injury or absence there’s a squad member ready to step in. The likes of Will Richards, Tom Finn, Conor McNally, Jamie McGuirk, Pat Stapleton and James Choiseulall play their part in the Naas total squad effort to win a Pennant for the 2024/25 season and lift the Provincial Towns Seconds Cup for the fifth time. 

The final will be held on Sunday, 4 May at a venue to be decided. Your support for the only remaining team in action this season would be much appreciated. 

 

Naas: 1. Cian Murphy, 2. Joe McSherry 3. Eoin Tierney(Capt.), 4. Andreas Murphy, 5. David Benn, 6. Conor McGroary, 7. Aaron Murphy, 8. Evan Coyle, 9. Richie Brophy, 10. Josh Murphy, 11. Timothy Courtney, 12. Andrew Shanahan, 13. Oisín Tyrrell, 14. James Farrell, 15. John Shanahan, 16. James Choiseul, 17. Michael Barton, 18. Tom Finn, 19. Sean McNamee, 20. Phillip Jordan, 21. Lochlann Cawley, 22. Jamie McGuirk.

North Meath: 1. Jack Yore, 2. Adam Deighan, 3. Padraic McGurl, 4. Harry Finnegan, 5. Sam Bashford, 6. Patrick Farnan, 7. Alex Kenny, 8. Peter Flanagan, 9. Louis Finnegan, 10. Conor Grey, 11. Ricky Hopcroft, 12. Pauric Flanagan, 13. Cian Doogan, 14. Shea McManus, 15. Oisin McDermott, 16. Daniel Adekunle, 17. Sean Gilsenan, 18. Éanna Finn, 19. Eoin Briody, 20. Simon Deevy, 21. Nathan Kiernan, 22. Carl Mc Govern

Referee: Clive Wardrop | Line 1: John Cosgrave | Line 2:Kevin Farrell