There have been an untold amount of rugby matches played in Ireland in 2024, but few will have matched the quality and excitement that we enjoyed in Forenaughts last Saturday afternoon when Naas entertained UCC in the 2024/2025 Energia All-Ireland League Division 1B. Right from the start these two quality sides went at each other, and provided great entertainment for the large crowd present.

UCC went into this contest as arguably the form side in the division, having amassed big margin victories in their last three games. They made a bright start in their quest for a fourth as they were in front within sixty seconds. Naas failed to deal with the kick-off and the visitors were immediately on the attack with their forwards pounding away at the line. The home side did well to repel the first wave of attacks, but eventually Sam Sullivan was able to get in from close range for the opening score. Daniel Squires added the conversion. But within five minutes Naas were on level terms. Big carries by their pack took play into the UCC 22, and Darragh Murphy was able to pick from the base of a ruck and held off a would be tackler to score. Peter Osborne slotted the conversion.

UCC were almost in for their second try after ten minutes. After a great break by Darragh French carved open the Naas defence, the visitors were camped in the 22 before Nathaniel Edogbo got over the line. However, the Naas defence did brilliantly to hold him up and received a goal line drop out. Unfortunately for Naas, the subsequent goal line drop out was gathered by Darragh French, and after he took a quick look at the posts, he slotted a brilliant drop-goal to give the visitors a 10-7 lead.

It took a last-gasp tackle to stop Peter Osborne scoring almost immediately afterwards, but the home side did take the lead for the first time after a quarter of an hour. Gathering the ball on the ten-metre line Paddy Taylor passed to Charlie Sheridan, who skipped past his immediate opponent with ease before passing back inside to Taylor, who raced away to score under the posts. Peter Osborne tapped over the conversion and Naas led by 14 points to 10. This lead did not last long as UCC were back in front after 17 minutes. From a line-out take by Sam O’Sullivan they set up a driving maul which Naas did very well to contain, but when it was stopped scrum-half Jack Casey managed to break free to score. Although Daniel Squires missed the conversion the Cork side were in front by 15 points to 14.

They extended this after 22 minutes and again the score came from the boot of Darragh French. Another goal line drop out was gathered by Sean Condon who passed to French, and he again kicked a great drop goal for the visitors. Eight minutes later however the lead again changed hands. Naas had a line-out in the UCC 22 which was won by Will O’Brien. He tapped the ball down to James O’Loughlin who was peeling around the back of the line-out and he showed great strength to force his way over the try line with two tacklers hanging out of him. The successful conversion by Peter Osborne made the score 21-18 in favour of Naas. This proved to be the last score of the half, although French came close to landing an amazing third drop goal of the half, but his effort after 36 minutes drifted narrowly wide to the right.

Naas suffered two big blows in the opening stages of the second half. They lost Will O’Brien to a yellow card after 45 minutes, when referee Christopher Lough deemed that a tackle he made was high, and then after 51 minutes the home side were reduced to 13 men when Conor Doyle also received a yellow card for collapsing a maul. The penalty for the second offence was kicked to touch and from the line-out the Cork side set up a driving maul which the home defence – reduced in numbers – were powerless to stop and led to Adam Wrona going over for the try. With Daniel Squires adding the conversion, the visitors now led by 25 points to 21, and this was extended after 62 minutes when a flowing move down the left wing was finished in the corner by Andrew O’Mahony. This conversion attempt was missed but the lead was now nine points.

 However, the rest of the game belonged to Naas. After 66 minutes Will O’Brien was held up just short of the line, and from the subsequent ruck scrum-half Cormac King found Eoin Walsh who took a great line and split through the UCC defence to score a try, which Peter Osborne converted. After 73 minutes Naas were back in front. Relentless pressure from them saw the UCC backs stray offside and Peter Osborne calmly slotted the resultant penalty, and then on 78 minutes the Naas pack devoured the UCC scrum, winning a penalty which was again kicked successfully by Osborne.

Naas now led by 34 points to 30 and they comfortably saw out the few remaining minutes which referee Christopher Lough played to gain a tremendous victory. Great credit must go to the home side here. They showed tremendous resolve and no lack of skill to dig out victory after trailing by nine points deep into the second half. This win and their five point haul moves them up to fourth in the league table, and within striking distance of the leaders. There are exciting times ahead. Next up for Naas is an away fixture to Dublin University on Saturday, November 9th. Kick-off is at 2.30pmand as always all support will be greatly appreciated.

Naas: Peter Osborne, Donal Conroy, Charlie Sheridan, Michal Haznar, Jack Sheridan, Paddy Taylor, Cormac King, Conor Doyle, Aidan O’Kane, Kaleem Niazi, Koloa Aisake, James O’Loughlin, Ryan Casey, Will O’Brien (capt), Darragh Murphy. Replacements: Francisco Bartorelli, Stephen Lackey, Eoin Walsh, Muiris Cleary, David O’Sullivan, James O’Kane.

UCC: David Cogan, Rory O’Shaughnessy, Evan Clarke, Daniel Squires, Sean Condon, Darragh French, Jack Casey, Sean Dunne, Adam Wrona, Daniel McCarthy, Sam O’Sullivan (capt), Conor Ryan, Nathaniel Edogbo, Jason Aherne, Peter Hyland. Replacements: George Rasmussen, Darragh O’Connell, Alex Hamilton, Cillian Toland, Andrew O’Mahony, Paul Graham.

Referee: Christopher Lough.