Naas produced an outstanding team performance on Saturday, running in convincing 8-1 winners over athy in a match full of attacking football, great goals and some excellent individual performances.

First Half

Naas started brightly, but it was Athy who had the first real opportunity. After just four minutes, Athy won a free-kick just outside the Naas box. They played the ball in and it struck Alex on the arm, but thankfully for Naas, the resulting effort was fired over the bar.

Naas began putting together some excellent passages of play and creating opportunity after opportunity. Bobby came close when he struck the post, but the breakthrough wasn't far away.

6 minutes — GOAL! Naas 1–0 - Bobby, Assisted James

James broke forward with the ball before playing Bobby through, and Bobby made no mistake, calmly burying the finish to put Naas ahead.

Athy responded with a spell of pressure around the nine-minute mark, putting together a string of attacks, but the Naas defence stood firm and dealt with everything thrown at them.

At 11 minutes, Naas were beginning to regain control and transitioned the ball quickly from defence into attack. Matthew drove at the Athy defence before finding Bobby, who pivoted brilliantly and crossed towards Alex. Unfortunately, the ball was just in front of him and the chance went begging.

Two minutes later, another excellent Naas move saw Alex K do brilliantly on the wing before finding Eoghan in space. Eoghan beat his man and got a shot away, but Athy somehow managed to scramble the ball clear.

Naas were turning the screw.

15 minutes — POST!

Great work down the left saw Matthew beat his man, create space and get a shot away. His effort struck the bottom-left post and bounced away. Then came another huge opportunity.

17 minutes — BIG CHANCE!

The ball was played into Bobby, who did brilliantly to hold off his defender before getting his shot away. The effort was on target, but an Athy goalkeeper saved it and the defender somehow managed to clear it off the line. The ball then bounced around the Athy penalty area before their goalkeeper eventually managed to get his hands on it.

Naas were dominating and the second goal felt inevitable.

20 minutes - Naas 2–0 - Bobby, Assisted Darragh P

From another excellent passage of play, Naas won a corner. Darragh P delivered a superb ball into the box and Bobby rose highest to bury a brilliant header.

23 minutes — POST!

Matthew cut inside and fired towards goal, only to see his effort strike the bottom-left post again.

24 minutes — POST!

You couldn't make this up! Another well-worked Naas attack ended with Bobby hitting the right-hand post. The goals were coming, but the posts were certainly getting their fair share of attention!

25 minutes — GOAL! Naas 3–0 - Bobby

Naas worked the ball beautifully to find Bobby in space, and he made absolutely no mistake, firing home to complete his first-half hat-trick. Bobby was on fire.

Naas continued to press, with Eoghan firing just wide after another good attacking move at 29 minutes.

30 minutes — HALF TIME

A brilliant first-half performance from Naas. The team were playing with confidence, moving the ball quickly and creating chance after chance.

Second Half

Naas came out for the second half at a frantic pace and picked up exactly where they had left off.

32 minutes — GOAL! Naas 4–0 Athy

Bobby completed his fourth of the afternoon after brilliant work from Matthew down the right. Matthew beat two defenders before playing the ball across the box, where Bobby was waiting to finish. He must have had four Weetabix for breakfast this morning and at this point, the Naas coaches took him off just to save Athy's blushes!

33 minutes — GOAL! Naas 4–1 Athy

Against the run of play, Athy managed to get themselves on the scoresheet. They put together some good play and took their opportunity well.

But there was no sign of Naas slowing down.

35 minutes — GOAL! Naas 5–1 Athy

James produced a brilliant finish, turning the Athy defence inside out before calmly slotting the ball home.

Naas were flying.

36 minutes

Matthew was causing havoc down the right again, beating two Athy players before crossing towards Kai, who unfortunately miskicked his effort.

37 minutes — GOAL! Naas 6–1 Athy

The game had really opened up and Darragh P took full advantage. He unleashed a powerful effort from outside the box. The Athy keeper couldn't hold it, and somehow the ball spilled through his legs and into the net.

42 minutes — GOAL! Naas 7–1 Athy

More brilliant play from Naas. Matthew beat his man and drove towards the Athy back line. His first effort was blocked brilliantly by an Athy defender, but the ball fell straight back to him and he made no mistake with the second attempt.

45 minutes

Eoghan continued to cause problems down the left, leaving two defenders in his wake before getting a shot away. Athy's defence did well to prevent another goal.

GOAL! Naas 8–1 Athy

And then came number eight. In all fairness, while trying to keep up with the action and take notes, I completely missed the goal so let's just say it was a belter.

With Naas eight goals to the good, Evan was itching to get involved. Darragh OT went in goal for him, allowing Evan to move into midfield. He was instantly involved, helping dictate play and nearly capping off the afternoon with a goal of his own on 55 minutes. Evan struck a great effort, only for an Athy defender to produce some last-ditch defending, diving in to head the ball wide. That would have been some ending!

Final Thoughts

Naas 8–1 Athy

It was an outstanding performance from Naas from start to finish. The team played with energy, confidence and attacking intent, creating a huge number of chances and showing excellent teamwork throughout.

Bobby was undoubtedly the standout performer, finishing with an incredible five goals and taking home the Man of the Match award. It was a brilliant individual performance from him. This was ultimately a fantastic team performance. Every player put in an excellent shift, from the defence holding firm when Athy threatened, to the midfield controlling the game and the attackers causing constant problems. A thoroughly deserved win for Naas and a brilliant day's football from the entire team.