Boys U16 (2009) Premier - Kill Celtic
Match Report: Naas AFC 4-2 Kill Celtic
This cup match had everything a football fan could ask for—goals, drama, a red card, and plenty of intensity. Naas AFC kicked off with intent, immediately putting Kill Celtic under pressure from the first whistle. Early on, Oran Sherry drew a rash tackle from a Kill defender, resulting in a free kick, but Sherry’s effort went over the bar. That miss seemed to wake up Kill Celtic, who quickly launched a counterattack that required a robust tackle from Jake Dooley to halt. However, moments later, Kill won a penalty after a clever run drew a foul from Dooley. Kill’s striker calmly converted, putting Naas 1-0 down in the opening minutes.
The match flowed end-to-end for the next ten minutes, with both teams looking to gain control. Naas came close to equalizing in the 15th minute when Dawid's corner was met by Liam Mescal’s thundering header, narrowly wide. Naas found themselves in a promising position a minute later when Conor Fagan was taken down by Kill’s keeper outside the box. The result? A free kick and a red card for Kill's keeper, putting them down to 10 men.
Despite the advantage, Kill Celtic shocked Naas with a second goal, thanks to some swift counter-attacking play. Kill led 2-0, and it seemed like an uphill battle for Naas. But just before halftime, a silky run from Matthew Greene earned Naas a free kick, though Mescal’s shot sailed over the bar. Naas pushed for a goal before the break, but Kill went into halftime with the 2-0 advantage.
Second Half Comeback
The second half was a different story. Naas came out fired up, pressing high and moving the ball with purpose. Mescal switched the play brilliantly to Ryan Murtagh, who danced past Kill’s right-back and delivered a perfect low cross for Mathias to tap home. 1-2, and the momentum was firmly with Naas.
Their relentless pressing paid off again as Brody Power worked hard to win possession back, earning Naas a corner. The resulting clearance fell to Jack Tilly, who unleashed a stunning strike from over 20 yards, leaving the Kill keeper no chance. Naas were level at 2-2, just six minutes into the second half.
Naas continued to dominate, and in the 57th minute, Ryan Murtagh produced a moment of individual brilliance. A slick turn and finish into the far post put Naas 3-2 ahead. Murtagh’s knee-slide celebration summed up the shift in fortunes—Naas were in control, and Kill were struggling to hold on.
It was all Naas from that point, with Liam O'Shea setting up Fagan for a snapshot, but Kill’s stand-in keeper was equal to the challenge. Moments later, a long clearance from Olly Curran set Brody Power free, winning another corner. The clearance fell perfectly for Mescal, who struck a stunning half-volley from 25 yards into the top corner. 4-2 to Naas, and the game was as good as won.
In the closing stages, Naas managed the game with composed passing and intelligent play, keeping Kill at bay with ease. The final whistle blew, and Naas claimed a deserved 4-2 victory, showing incredible resilience after being 2-0 down.
Summary
This game had everything—goals, saves, tackles, bookings, and a red card. Naas’s ability to come from behind and dominate the second half showed their spirit and tactical awareness. While several players stood out, it was a true team effort, and every player played their part in the victory. As the final whistle blew, Naas proved themselves not just worthy winners but a team that refuses to be written off. On to the next round!
