Naas bid to end 2024 on a winning note when they hosted Old Belvedere in the Energia All-Ireland League Division 1B at Forenaughts last Saturday afternoon. They knew that the task that awaited them was stiff, as their Dublin opponents have been setting a blistering pace at the top of the table, with just one defeat all season. However it was not to be for Naas, as after losing a player early on to a red card, they were unable to cope with their numerical disadvantage and eventually fell to a heavy defeat.

On a fine day for rugby, Naas started in determined fashion and immediately went on the attack. They were rewarded after just three minutes when the visitors were penalised for handling in a ruck, and Peter Osborne made no mistake with the resultant penalty. But Old Belvedere responded straight away. From the base of a Naas scrum just outside their 22, scrum-half Cormac King attempted a clearance kick. However this was blocked down by Will McDonald who then dribbled the loose ball up to the try-line, before touching down for a try. Sam Wisniewski converted from in front of the posts.

After 12 minutes the visitors increased their lead. Calum Dowling ran around the back of a line-out and showed great strength before being hauled down. Old Belvedere quickly recycled the ball, and scrum-half Jack Dunne popped the ball up to Justin Leonard who had taken a great line, and he broke the Naas defence to score. Wisniewski again converted and Naas trailed by 14 points to 3.

The home side were having good spells of their own and soon afterwards came very close to scoring. A lovely break by Paddy Taylor started the move, before James O’Kane sidestepped a couple of would-be tacklers to take play deep into the 22. The visitor’s defence was stretched, and Naas quickly moved the ball out to the left and looked sure to score. However Belvedere full-back Joe White managed to intercept, and the chance was gone.

Naas suffered a body blow after 22 minutes. Old Belvedere won a penalty just outside the 22 and turned down a shot at goal and went for touch. From the line-out they set up a driving maul which Naas did well to contain, and when it was stopped Sam Wisniewski put in a lovely crossfield kick. In his attempt to gather the ball Naas full-back James O’Kane collided with Gavin Nugent in the air, and although there was no malice in his effort referee Douglas Stuart had no hesitation in brandishing a red card. The subsequent penalty was again kicked to touch, and this time Naas were powerless to stop the driving maul, with Calum Dowling being awarded the try. Although Wisniewski missed the conversion Old Belvedere now led by 19-3.

The home side were stunned and some poor tackling led to a Jack Dunne try after 33 minutes and although Wisniewski again missed the conversion, he was on target with a penalty with the very last kick of the half, to leave the half-time score: Naas 3 – Old Belvedere 27.

Any hope of a dramatic Naas comeback was dispelled after 53 minutes. A big carry by Calum Dowling split the Naas defence apart, before his pass found Justin Leonard who scored under the posts, with Sam Wisniewski adding the conversion.

The life was now sucked out of the game, but to their credit Naas never gave up and kept battling away. However, they went further behind after 69 minutes when the ball was chipped over the Naas defence by Jack Keating and Jack Dunne won the race for the touchdown. Although Wisniewski missed the conversion the lead was now out to 36 points at 39-3.

To their credit Naas did respond with a try of their own after 71 minutes, when after a half-break by Derry Lenehan he managed to find John King, who raced away to score with Peter Osborne adding the conversion. But there was still time for the visitors to add another two tries before the end through Sam Wisniewski and Hugh Reddan, and with the former converting one of them it left the full-time score: Naas 10 – Old Belvedere 51.

This was a game that Naas will want to erase quickly from the memory banks. They will get their chance to avenge this defeat when they travel to Dublin to face Old Belvedere in the reverse fixture on Saturday, January 11th. Kick-off is at 2.30pm and as always all support will be greatly appreciated.

Naas: James O’Kane, Donal Conroy, Michal Haznar, Paddy Taylor, Jack Sheridan, Peter Osborne, Cormac King, Conor Doyle, Aidan O’Kane, Adam Deay, James O’Loughlin, Koloa Aisake, Eoin Walsh, Will O’Brien (capt), Ryan Casey. Replacements: John King, Stephen Lackey, Cillian Dempsey, Darragh Murphy, David O’Sullivan, Derry Lenehan.

Old Belvedere: Joe White, Jack Keating, Jayden Beckett, Justin Leonard, Gavin Nugent, Sam Wisniewski, Jack Dunne, Hugh Flood, Calum Dowling (capt), Ryan McMahon, Fionn McWey, Eddie Rees, Kale Thatcher, Will McDonald, Paddy Dowling. Replacements: Luke McLaughlin, Hugh Hogan, Andre Ryan, Felix Campbell, Harry McGoey, Hugh Reddan.

Referee: Douglas Stuart.