Naas U16s Battle in Thrilling Clash Against Leixlip Utd
In a gripping encounter on Sunday, August 24, 2025, the Naas U16s faced off against the formidable Leixlip United in a pre-season friendly. Despite a challenging lineup, the talented squad, with just nine regulars available, showed plenty of heart.
In an effort to bolster the team’s spirit, four players from the 2009 cohort stepped up to take on the challenge. Their commitment to ball and play during a Sunday morning match is worthy of keen praise. Facing a strong DDSL Major team, they certainly raised the competitive spirit on the pitch.
The scoreboard may have suggested a sizable gulf in class, but the game provided ample opportunities for the Naas side to grow and learn. The Leixlip team scored all six of their goals from corners, a clear area for improvement for Naas in training.
On the offensive end, Jack O’Brien shone brightly for Naas, scoring both goals and showcasing his flair and determination. Special recognition must be given to defender Evan Malone, who worked tirelessly, leaving no blade of grass unturned. Also, kudos to our stand-in goalkeeper Alex, who delivered an outstanding performance with ten remarkable saves, keeping his team in the match longer than the score reflects.
Despite the loss, this game served as an invaluable learning experience, laying the groundwork for what’s ahead in the season. Keep pushing, lads โ there’s much more to come!