ENERGIA All-IRELAND LEAGUE DIVISION 1B

Naas 25 – Old Belvedere 17

Match report thanks to Mark Herbert and photos thanks to Michael Linehan

After a break for the Six-Nations Championship, Naas resumed their Energia All-Ireland League Division 1B campaign last Saturday afternoon when hosting Old Belvedere. They were aware that a stern challenge was in store for them, as Old Belvedere had not tasted defeat since November 26th – a run of eight successive victories. However, that unbeaten run was shredded by a rampant Naas side who tore into their opponents straight from the start, and although they had to withstand a spirited fightback, they ran out deserving winners.

Naas were in front within four minutes. The Old Belvedere backs were penalised for being in front of the kicker and the resulting penalty was dispatched to touch. Will O’Brien soared highest to take the line-out, and the ball was quickly transferred into midfield where Henry Smyth was on the wrong end of a high tackle. Naas opted to take the points on offer from this penalty and Bryan Croke made no mistake with his kick and the home side led 3-0.

Naas dominated possession and territory for long stages in the opening half, and they almost extended their advantage after ten minutes when it took a fine tackle by Joe White to deny Matt Stapleton scoring in the corner, but they got the score that their play deserved on 21 minutes. Good work by the pack took play into the Old Belvedere 22, the ball was then moved out to the backs and a long pass by Fionn Higgins found Matt Stapleton out wide. He cut inside and passed to the supporting Conor Halpenny who raced clear to score.

The conversion was narrowly missed by Bryan Croke and the same player had the misfortune to see another penalty attempt rebound off the post after 39 minutes. However, it was all Naas at this stage and with their opponents losing Mick O’Kennedy to a yellow card in this period there was still time for them to add another score before the interval. This came two minutes into injury-time when following a line-out take by Will O’Brien the home side set up a powerful driving maul. This was hauled down close to the line, but Conor Doyle reacted quickly to gather the ball and power over from close range. Croke added this conversion to give Naas a fifteen point interval lead, that in no way flattered them.

Things got even better for the home side within six minutes of the restart. They were awarded a penalty in their opponents 22 and this time elected to take a scrum. Ryan Casey picked from the base and it took two defenders to haul him down. Naas then stayed patient and went through a series of phases, before moving the ball wide left out to Donal Conroy who scored in the corner. With a magnificent kick from out on the sideline Craig Ronaldson added the conversion, and Naas now led by 22 points.

It was inevitable that a side of the calibre of Old Belvedere would launch a fightback and they certainly did. They gained their first score of the afternoon after 52 minutes. After winning a line-out they set up a driving maul, and when this was hauled down Calum Dowling picked from the base of the resulting ruck to dive over. Mick O’Kennedy kicked the conversion and to make matters worse for Naas, Adam Coyle received a yellow card for the collapsing of the maul.

Naas were forced to defend desperately for the next ten minutes with just 14 men, but they were up to the task. However, just as their full complement of players was restored, they suffered the blow of receiving another two yellow cards within 60 seconds of each other after 64 minutes. Firstly, Bryan Croke picked up one for what the referee deemed to be a deliberate knock-on. From this penalty Old Belvedere elected to take a scrum, which drove Naas right back and led to the visitors being awarded a penalty try, which made the score 22-14 in favour of the home side.

Straight from the restart Eoin Walsh was penalised for a high tackle and now Naas had to play with thirteen men for the next ten minutes. To their credit the home sides’ defence was not breached during this period, with every Naas player showing tremendous character and resilience to repel wave after wave of attacks.

On 76 minutes the visitors did reduce the lead to just one score when Mick O’Kennedy kicked a penalty, but this was cancelled out three minutes later when Craig Ronaldson was successful with a similar effort for Naas. Soon afterwards the referee blew the full-time whistle and a well deserved victory had been gained by Naas on a 25-17 scoreline.

This victory guarantees Naas their Energia All-Ireland League Division 1B status for next season, which in itself is a magnificent achievement considering the standard of opponents they are facing throughout the campaign. They have two fixtures left to draw the season to a conclusion. The first one of these is next Saturday away to Highfield. Kick-off is at 2.30pm and as always all support will be greatly appreciated.

Naas: Fionn Higgins, Matt Stapleton, Charlie Sheridan, Henry Smith, Donal Conroy, Bryan Croke, Conor Halpenny, Adam Coyle, Conor Doyle, Peter King, Paul Monahan (capt), David Benn, Ryan Casey, Will O’Brien, Sean O’Brien. Replacements: Nato Kiripati, Stephen Lackey, Cillian Dempsey, Eoin Walsh, Derry Lenehan, Craig Ronaldson.

Old Belvedere: Joe White, Ariel Robles, Jayden Beckett, Mick O’Kennedy, Luke McDermott, David Wilkinson, Peter O’Beirne,  James Bollard (capt), Callum Dowling, Ronan Foxe, Fionn McWey, Connor O’Wende, Jack Breen, Tom Mulcair, Kale Thatcher. Replacements: Joe Horan, Aaron O’Brien, Hugh Flood, Jed Tormey, Brian Leonard, Justin Leonard.

Referee: Andrew Fogarty.