Week 2 of the 2026/’27 Energia All-Ireland League Division 1B campaign saw Naas travel South to face Nenagh last Saturday afternoon. Both sides had defeated Cork sides in their opening round of fixtures, with Naas beating UCC and Nenagh overcoming Highfield. As a result, there was a large crowd present to see who would continue the winning thread, and in anticipation of a top class game of rugby. They were certainly not disappointed with the quality, as after a slow start they were entertained to a rip-roaring match, which at the finish saw Nenagh victorious and sitting proudly on top of the table.

Nenagh were by far the better side in the opening exchanges, and were a bit unfortunate not to lead after just seven minutes when they crossed the tryline. However, referee Max Weston had obstructed a Naas player in the build up to the score, and he had no option but to disallow it. The home side continued to dominate possession and would have fancied their chances of opening the scoring after 22 minutes when they were awarded a penalty which was dispatched to touch. From this they set up a driving maul which Naas contained well, and a series of pick and goes following from the big Nenagh pack. However, they were unable to break down a stubborn defence, and they eventually conceded a penalty for holding on in a ruck. Just two minutes later they were nearly in again, when Taylor Coles knocked on with the try line beckoning, but soon afterwards Naas lost Daniel Ticklepenny to a yellow card for a deliberate knock-on, and this created a bit of extra space that the home side needed.

They ruthlessly exploited this with two tries in the space of six minutes. The first one came after 28 minutes, when Patrick Scully shrugged off two attempted tackles to score, and this was followed by a great Oli Ayling break through the centre. When he was hauled down in the Naas 22, the ball was quickly recycled and moved out to Conor McMahon, who managed to get in at the corner for a second Nenagh try. Although Jonty Stewart had missed his first conversion attempt, a great kick from the sideline landed the second one and gave Nenagh a 12 point lead.

It was no more than the home deserved, but Naas hit straight back with a try of their own after 35 minutes. They managed to gain possession from the Nenagh restart, and went through a couple of phases before moving the ball out to the backs, where a lovely sidestep from Paddy Taylor took him clear of the home defence. When he was eventually stopped Cormac King was on hand to take his pass and score under the posts. Daniel Ticklepenny tapped over the conversion and the margin was back down to five points.

This would have been a very satisfactory half-time score for Naas considering the limited possession they had, but unfortunately for them they conceded again in first-half injury time, when the home side produced a well worked line-out move. Hooker Taylor Coles threw to the front, he immediately received a return pass which took him clear, and he then passed inside to the supporting Robbie Tynan who scored unopposed. Although the conversion was missed Nenagh led 17-7 at the break.

Matters got worse for Naas as they conceded within 90 seconds on the restart. They coughed up possession near half-way and Nenagh quickly turned defence into attack, moving the ball wide out to Patrick Scully who raced over for their fourth try, which Jonty Stewart converted. This made the score 24-7 in favour of Nenagh, leaving Naas with a mountain to climb – however it was a task they came close to achieving.

Two tries for the visitors towards the end of the third quarter saw them roaring back this contest, leaving them in touch of an unlikely victory. The first one came after 58 minutes when following a Naas scrum, the ball was moved out to the backs where Donal Conroy took a great line to split the home defence and race away to score under the posts. Then on 62 minutes, a big break by Lorenzo Palacio had Nenagh scrambling back, before quick hands moved the ball into midfield where Muiris Cleary took the ball at pace and galloped clear to score. With Daniel Ticklepenny converting both tries, Naas were right back in the game trailing by just three points – 24-21.

All the momentum was now with Naas and the sense of the prevailing anxiousness around the home supporters was evident. The visitors' scrum had begun to get on top, and this was causing big problems for Nenagh. Indeed, it was a scrum penalty on 73 minutes that led to the clinching score of the game – but unfortunately it went to Nenagh. Naas won the scrum penalty, and the kick was dispatched up to half-way. However, the line-out was overthrown, the home side gathered and attacked down the blind-side, and a chip ahead by Luke Graham was gathered by Matt Brice who raced away to score. Jonty Steward added the extras.

Naas desperately went in search of another try which would earn them losing bonus and try scoring bonus points, and in the closing stages both Andrew Sherlock and Charlie Sheridan made terrific breaks from their own half right into Nenagh territory. However, credit must go to the Munstermen as on both occasions they managed to get numbers back and hands on the ball, securing priceless penalties. The visitors simply ran out of time and had to settle for a 31-21 defeat and return home empty handed.

Although obviously bitterly disappointed to be beaten, Naas can take plenty of positives from this performance. Nenagh played in Division 1A last season and are rightly considered one of the favourites to win the entire league. For Naas to go into their backyard and run them so close suggests that they can be considered legitimate league contenders. However, it does not get any easier for the Naas team, as next up for them is a fixture against Blackrock College who have won both their opening games, and will present a formidable challenge. That game is next Saturday in Naas, with a 2.30pm kick-off and as always all support will be greatly appreciated.

Nenagh: Matthew Brice, Luke Graham, Conor McMahon, Willie Coffey, Fionn Higgins, Jonty Stewart, Aaron Maloney, Richie Whelan, Taylor Coles, Emmet Calvey, Kevin Seymour, Kevin O’Flaherty, Oli Ayling, Robbie Tynan, John O’Flaherty (capt). Replacements: Igancio Falla, Jack O’Keeffe, Roman Salanoa, Jake O’Kelly, Patrick Scully, Liam Walsh.

Naas: Cillian Redmond, Donal Conroy, Charlie Sheridan, Paddy Taylor, David O’Sullivan, Daniel Ticklepenny, Cormac King, Jamie Bohan, Liam Gilheany-Black, Stephen Lackey, James O’Loughlin, Titas Cesonis, Oisin Halpin, Muiris Cleary, Ryan Casey (capt). Replacements:David Upton, Finian Murray, Lorenzo Palacio, Jason Cutler, Andrew Sherlock, James Buckeridge.

Referee: Max Weston.