Boys U14 (2011) Major 1 - Rathangan FC

Hard work beats talent. It's indisputable. And for 35 minutes Rathangan showed that to to be true. In the first half Naas had the advantage of playing down the hill with a strong wind behind them and yet Rathangan kept the door shut to them. They needed a bit of luck but hard work earns a bit of luck. The harder they worked the luckier they got. 

Half time allowed Naas to be reminded about the benefits of hard work. And they listened. Within 5 minutes of the restart they has taken the lead thanks to hard work and Sean Savage. Rathangan never gave up and got a deserved equaliser on the hour with a classy finish from distance. Naas shortened their sleeves again and committed to working hard again. Another triumph of football happened when they played it out from the back again and through Rathangan with some precise passing allowing David Beloiu to restore the advantage. 

Then hard work got it's dividends. James Lynch is the epitome of hard work. There is not a blade of grass in Kildare that he hasn't trampled. Winning the ball (again) in midfield he suddenly became possessed like a cross between Steven Gerrard and Zinedine Zidane. He jinked left and then right and then through the heart of Rathangan before cooly finishing past the keeper. 

Naas survived and go through to the next round. We go again.