Boys U16 Premier: Naas AFC U16 Premier 2 – 1 Clane

Match Report

You will receive a calendar invitation by email. On a glorious afternoon and with Pitch 1 looking immaculate, Naas faced off against Clane Utd in the Cup quarter final. Naas went into the game with a point to proof after a horror show in Clongorey.

Naas started to fire in the belly and set the tone early doors. Naas opened the scoring after 6 minutes through a Conor Murtagh goal, his 9th of the season.Naas won a corner, which was whipped in by Evan Moriarty, the ball was headed down by Daniel Oke, and Conor reacted quickly to poke home from 4 yards. Only 2 minutes after the goal, Conor went in bravely on a tackle, and rolled his ankle.

Looks like Conor will be out for a few weeks and we wish him a speedy recovery. Naas were largely on top and playing some nice football, and keeping Clane at bay, with Daniel Oke and Fred Cowdell marshaling the backline well. Clane had the best chance of the first half, when a long punt over the top, had their pacey number 9 bear down on goal, only to be denied by a great save from Alec Walsh.

Clane ended the half on top, and had several corners and frees, but Alec Walsh was sublime in nets, fielded some great catches. Naas started the second half on top, with Evan Moriarty, Evan Malone and Jamie Byrnes driving the team on from midfield. Naas started to get the ball down and play some nice football.

This led to possibly the best team goal of the year. The ball was shifted from Matthew McCarthy, through the backline, to Sean Stafford, Sean played into Evan in the midfield, who played it back to Sean, Sean played a great through ball to Ned Keogh. Ned u selfishly squared the ball across the 6 yard box, for Conor Gillespie to cooly finish for 2-0.

Naas kept the pressure on, with the front 3 of Conor, Jack and Ned starting to cause problems every time they got the ball. It should have been 3 when a long ball bounced up in front of their keeper. The keeper did not hold the ball and the ball was across the line, but the ref did not give it.

Conor went close again, following great work down the left wing by Evan Malone, who was everywhere on the pitch today, beat the right back, squared it to Conor, who placed it towards the corner, only for a last ditch interception from the defender. Next up was Jack O Brien, who worked tirelessly today. Jack struck a great free from 30 yards, which seemed destined for the bottom corner, only for the keeper to make a great save.

With 10 minutes to go, Clane with a rare attack, pulled one back from an excellent strike at the edge of the box. Naas did not panic and the midfield 3 of Jamie, Evan Malone and Cian Leonard kept control, with Ciano winning some crucial tackles in the last few minutes. The boys managed the last few minutes very well.

All 14 lads put in a great shift. Alec was outstanding in nets, Dan and Fred very solid at centre half. Sean and Matthew offered so much at fullback, with Matthew asked to fill in at left back, when Conor got injured.

Evan, Evan, Ciano and Jamie were superb in midfield. Roddy, Jack, Ned and Conor G caused huge problems for Clane all afternoon. Dorking Wanderers Youth U13 Youth Yellows

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