ENERGIA All-IRELAND LEAGUE DIVISION 1B

Armagh 20 – Naas 21

Naas travelled North up to Armagh last Saturday afternoon to face a side that has given them plenty of heartache over the last few years. Indeed Naas were bidding to gain an elusive first All Ireland League victory over their Northern rivals. This they managed to achieve, after a game in which they were the better side for long periods but also one in which they had to defend desperately in the closing minutes.

Despite the recent storms the pitch in Armagh was in remarkably good shape, and a fine crowd were treated to an absorbing game, in which both sides endeavoured to attack at every possible opportunity.

There was a late change in the Naas line up with Bryan Croke replacing Donal Conroy, and it was the home side who got off to a dream start. After just two minutes an up and under by scrum-half Gerard Treanor was not dealt with by Naas, the loose ball was pounced on by Armagh before being quickly moved out wide right to Matthew Hooks who ran in unopposed to score. Although the conversion was missed by Harry Boyd, Armagh led by 5-0.

Naas responded quickly and emphatically. A lovely break by Sam Cahill took play into the Armagh 22, and from there the visitors showed great patience. They went through numerous phases, switching the point of attack and forcing the home side to scramble in defence. Naas kept probing and finally Bryan Croke found a gap in the defensive line which he gleefully took to score under the posts. Peter Osborne tapped over the conversion and Naas were in front by seven points to five.

Armagh were back in front after 12 minutes when Harry Boyd kicked a penalty that was awarded for Naas collapsing a maul, and they extended this lead on 22 minutes. On this occasion the home side took full advantage of uncharacteristic sloppy Naas defending which led to Ryan O’Neill scoring a try in the right hand corner. Although Boyd missed the conversion Armagh now led 13-7, and this appeared as if it was going to be the half-time score as the first half entered injury-time, but Naas had other ideas.

Just on the stroke of half-time Naas were awarded a penalty for a late tackle which Peter Osborne dispatched to touch. David Benn won the line-out and from this Naas attacked the blindside catching out the Armagh defence, and led to Will O’Brien powering over from close range. Peter Osborne added the conversion to give Naas a 14-13 interval lead.

Buoyed by this score Naas stormed into the attack straight from the restart and after just four minutes of the second period they were awarded a five-yard scrum, when a deft grubber kick by Gary Kavanagh was taken back over the Armagh line by Ross Taylor. From the scrum Naas moved the ball out along the back-line to Peter Osborne who looked sure to score until being stopped just short of the line. However Will O’Brien was on hand to take over and there was no stopping him as he crossed for his second try of the game. Peter Osborne added the conversion and Naas were now in front by 21-13.

It was all Naas at this stage and on 59 minutes they turned down the opportunity of a kickable penalty to go for touch in a bid for a fourth try and the bonus point. David Benn again won the line-out and Naas set up a driving maul. However the maul collapsed and to the anger of the visiting supporters referee Peter Martin did not deem this was done illegally, taking no action and allowing Armagh to secure possession and clear their lines.

However Naas continued to dominate proceedings until they were hit with a sucker punch on 66 minutes, when out of nothing Armagh scored. Naas were again attacking in the Armagh 22 when a loose ball was kicked downfield by Harry Boyd, it was fly kicked on by Matthew Hooks and he won the race to touchdown the ball for a try. Boyd added the extras, the score was now 21-20 to Naas and a grandstand finish was set up.

This score gave Armagh real impetus and they threw everything at Naas in a bid to get the winner. It nearly came on 78 minutes when Ryan O’Neill evaded two would be tacklers and was stopped just short of the line. From the recycled ball wave after wave of Armagh attacks were met with some shuddering Naas tackles, which forced Harry Boyd into a crossfield kick which Matthew Hooks knocked on. Naas still had to withstand a series of scrums on their own line, but finally managed to get the ball off the pitch and claim a great win.

Although it was a minimum margin of victory there is no doubt that Naas were the better side and fully deserving of this win. They remain in fourth place in the league and right in the play-off contention with five games left in the campaign. Next up for them is a home fixture against Banbridge. This is on next Saturday with a 2.30pm kick-off and as always all support will be greatly appreciated.

Armagh: Shea O’Brien, Andrew Willis, Tim McNeice (capt), Ross Taylor, Matthew Hooks, Harry Boyd, Gerard Treanor, Paul Mullen, Jack Treanor, Philip Fletcher, Josh McKinley, John Glasgow, Nigel Simpson, Ryan O’Neill, Neil Faloon.

Replacements: Peter Lamb, Dylan Poyntz, James Crummie, James Morton, Chris Colvin, Evin Crummie.

Naas: Peter Osborne (capt), Matt Stapleton, Gary Kavanagh, Craig Ronaldson, Sam Cahill, Bryan Croke, Conor Halpenny, Jack Barry, Conor Johnston, Adam Coyle, Patrick O’Flaherty, David Benn, Paul Monahan, Will O’Brien, Ryan Casey.

Replacements: John Sutton, Peter King, Paulie Tolofua, Tim Murphy, Bryan Croke, Fionn Higgins.

Referee: Peter Martin.

Photos Credit: Naas Rugby Photos