Boys U16 (2009) Premier - Derry Rovers

Naas AFC 3-3 Derry Rovers – A Thriller with Everything

This game had it all—great goals, stand-in goalkeepers, yellow cards, red cards, and a battle between title-chasing Naas and a Derry side out for revenge after their recent cup elimination.

Derry started the stronger of the two teams, and within two minutes, they had a glorious chance to take the lead but somehow missed from two yards out. Naas struggled to get into their rhythm early on and were constantly under pressure from Derry’s direct long-ball approach. Just six minutes in, Derry’s No. 10 broke through the Naas defense and slammed home the opener. Was this the wake-up call Naas needed?

Jack Tilly had a chance to equalize from a corner but saw his header saved. Naas slowly grew into the game but struggled to impose their passing style, being forced into long-range efforts—Ryan Murtagh and Mattias both sending shots over the bar. On 20 minutes, Tilly produced a crucial tackle to deny Derry a second goal.

Naas’s defense began to organize, with Jake Dooley winning countless headers to nullify Derry’s aerial threat. Dawid Kolter won the ball in midfield and played it to the recently introduced Liam O’Shea, whose shot was saved. On 30 minutes, Kolter’s free kick seemed destined for the top corner, only for the Derry keeper to palm it away.

Despite their struggles, Naas refused to let their heads drop. Just before halftime, the Murtagh brothers combined—Ryan delivered a pinpoint corner, and his younger brother rose highest to head home. Right on the stroke of halftime, it was 1-1.

Second Half: The Fightback

Naas started the second half looking to attack but left themselves vulnerable to counterattacks. Derry capitalized, exploiting space behind Naas’s high line to make it 2-1. Moments later, they struck again to extend their lead to 3-1.

But this was when the mentality monsters of Naas emerged. Like all title challengers, even when not playing their best, they made sure not to lose.

On 56 minutes, Mattias combined brilliantly with Huey Phelan, who was lurking in the area. When the chance fell to him, Phelan made no mistake, smashing the ball home to make it 3-2 and reigniting Naas’s belief.

Then came Ryan Murtagh, a constant thorn in Derry’s side. Picking up the ball out wide, he dazzled through multiple defenders, reaching the byline before cutting the ball back to Phelan, who slammed it home for the equalizer. 3-3.

A Title-Winning Mentality

At the final whistle, the disappointment on the Naas players’ faces showed just how much this season means to them. Despite the comeback, they wanted more—a true sign of a team with title aspirations. Onwards and upwards to the next challenge, where these boys will be ready for whatever comes their way. While overall the team performance may not have been what was expected, the sheer grit and determination is what was needed. Matthew Greene, Brody Power, Liam O Shea are a few players to show this type of fight. but it truly was the Murtagh and Phelan show today