Boys U14 (2013) Major 2 - Rathangan

A blustery but pleasant morning saw Naas put Rathangan to the sword with an excellent display that had a little bit of everything — good football, goals, resilience and plenty of fight.

Naas started brightly and took control from the first minute. Some good early possession and neat football quickly created chances, with Oscar Ross and Luke B both coming close before the breakthrough eventually arrived.

On 10 minutes, Seanie produced a lovely slide-rule pass to release Luke Brynard. Luke kept his composure, took the ball around the oncoming goalkeeper and calmly rolled it into the empty net to make it 1–0.

Just two minutes later, Naas doubled their advantage. DJ's kick-out went straight to Oscar Ross, who glided past the Rathangan defender and found himself in on goal. His first effort was well saved by the keeper, but Oscar reacted quickest and drilled the rebound low and hard into the net. 2–0 Naas.

Rathangan were handed a route back into the game on 20 minutes when they were awarded a penalty, which they converted to make it 2–1.

Naas responded almost immediately.

Three minutes later, Sheasy played a superb through ball into the path of Luke Brynard, who once again showed great composure. He rounded the keeper and slotted home his second of the morning to restore Naas's two-goal advantage.

Half-time: Naas 3–1 Rathangan.

If the story of the first half was Naas playing good football and being excellent in possession, the story of the second was very different — resilience, determination and fight.

Rathangan came out strongly and on 50 minutes pulled another goal back. It was a soft one from a Naas point of view, with the defence switching off from a throw-in, but Rathangan took full advantage to make it 3–2.

Suddenly it was game on.

Five minutes later came one of the most important moments of the match. With Rathangan pushing for an equaliser, Woodie produced a brilliant header off the line to preserve Naas's lead.

Naas had to dig in, but the boys stood up to the challenge before finally putting the game beyond Rathangan in the closing stages.

On 65 minutes, Seanie produced a moment of real quality. Spotting the goalkeeper's position, he sent a cultured right-footed effort over his head and into the net to make it 4–2.

And Naas weren't finished.

Straight from the restart, they won possession back. Sheasy slid Will Jackson through on goal and Will absolutely drilled his finish into the back of the net. The keeper could only throw his hands towards it — the strike was unstoppable.

Full-time: Naas 5–2 Rathangan.

Another really positive performance from the Naas boys. The first half showed just how well this team can play when they get the ball down and move it, while the second half showed another side to them — the ability to battle, defend and stay together when the opposition puts them under pressure.

Five goals, some excellent football and, just as importantly, plenty of character when it was needed.

A very good morning's work from Naas.