Boys U15 (2010) Premier - Clane
After the high of the midweek win vs Kilcullen, could the lads repeat the performance, with a tricky away trip to Clane.
It was a resounding yes from the lads, and they delivered in spades.
On a very tight pitch in Clane, we kicked off at 11.15. First half was a tight affair, with Naas on the front foot for most of the half. Naas had the majority of the chances. Kian Lawlor went close with a good strike, Adam Bracken hit a free narrowly wide, and Oisin Lynch had a drive with his left peg drift wide. Clane had a couple of chances on the break but James Lennon made a couple of crucial saves.
It looked like Naas had opened the score following a good move down the left involving Sean Stafford, Adam Bracken and Kian Lawlor. The ball was put in towards the back post which James McGrath volleyed and put the ball into the back of the net. Ref blew for off-side.
Naas mgt made 6 changes at the break to freshen things up. Naas remained very calm and stuck to their task, and continued to press Clane. Tadgh O Neill fired over from 8 yards after good work. The danger signs were there for Clane. Following a lovely move featuring Ben Harrington, Adam Bracken, Cormac Donegan, the ball was played into Aaron O Donnell. Aaron flicked the ball behind the full back for Evan Malone to run onto to. Evan made an angle on the right, looked he was pulling the trigger, but rolled it back onto his left, Clane defender had no idea where the ball was, and with his left, casually slotted into the right stanchion of the net. Naas kept pushing and should have had a second with some lovely wiped in balls from Lochlainn and Aaron across the 6 yard box, which we could not connect with. The second was not far away. It duly arrived from the mercurial Max Galvin. We won a free wide out on the right, and Max planted it into the far top corner. Great strike. Tadh Fennell nearly made it three from fullback. Tadgh played a 1-2 with Adam, and then he went again with Aaron, he made his way into the box, wad forced wide, which made the angle tight. Tadgh got the shot away but the keeper saved. Super stuff
The final goal arrived via a corner. Max delivered a peach of the ball into the 6 yard box with the on-rushing Evan Malone headed into the empty net. Evan's third headed goal of the season, Job done!!!
All the lads rose to the challenge today and were excellent. James Lennon made 2 crucial saves in the first half. Cormac and Sean Stafford were the pick of the defenders, Sean Haugh had a great first half before getting injured. Evan Malone was superb in the second half and Lochlainn Quinn worked tirelessly up top.
The lads played some lovely, patient football in the second half and looked a step ahead of Clane.
Another 3 points and getting closer to Kilcullen!!!
