Boys U18 (2007) Major - Coil Dubh

U18s Play Out Well Earned Draw.

The u18s got their season underway as they welcomed Coil Dubh to a sunny Caragh Rd for a 1pm Kick Off. Coil Dubh coming off the back of a big win in mid week were the brighter side and immediately set about enforcing their physicality on the game, but Naas grew into the game and buoyed by a new look centre back pairing in Ryan Gillane and Michael Balfe they were proving well capable of dealing with Coil Dubh's front line, Naas were the first to have a chance of any reasonable note though and  when some nice play out on the right wing saw the ball driven low across the box for Leo Ahern he could only see his shot hit the side netting, Coil Dubh would show some fine play of their own moments later but Leon Curran was quick off his goal line to tidy up the loose pass into Coil Dubh's front man, The game now being played at a canter with both teams causing problems for each other started to see more great chances come and go for both sides , with both Orest Rybak and Leo Ahern seeing decent chances go begging for Naas and Leon Curran pulling off some fine saves in the Naas goal. As the half went on Naas were proving that they could match any physical aspect Coil Dubh brought with both Jake Kelly and Ciaran Ryan working tirelessly in the centre of the park and the Naas rear guard standing firm, both teams arrived in at the break scoreless. 

Naas began the second half with more intent and set about penning Coil Dubh back in their own half, Leo Ahern yet again proving a handful up top for Coil Dubh, Naas would break the deadlock with a well worked free kick from 35 yards out which saw Ryan Gillane play a neat short pass to Jake Kelly who  delivered a sublime ball into the box and onto the head of Ciaran Ryan beating the Coil Dubh keeper. Naas now in control of the game went in search of that second goal but couldn't put the finishing touch to some of the fine passages of play they created and eventually Coil Dubh found a way through with their number 10 showing some brilliant individual skill picking his way through the Naas defence and slotting the ball into the bottom corner to bring the sides level, Naas didn't let this deter them and yet again they brought the game to Coil Dubh but couldn't find a break through and at the final whistle both teams remained level.  

Coaches Note: A huge effort shown from all the lads today against a very strong physical side in Coil Dubh (Coil Dubh also beat this side 9-0 at the back end of last season).

Best for Naas: Leo Ahern, Ciaran Ryan, Jake Kelly,Ryan Gillane and Michael Balfe. All were relentless throughout the game. 

Player Of The Game: Leon Curran, some fine individual saves to keep Coil Dubh at bay throughout the game, with one outstanding save 1on1 late on. 

Debuts: Jake Kelly, Ciaran Ryan, Cian Thomas, Danilo Souza.