Boys U17 (2009) Premier - FC Eagles
Naas AFC 2–3 FC Eagles (AET)
U17 FAI Cup – Last 16
The long‑awaited return to competitive football finally arrived for this Naas AFC side, and after what felt like an age without a match, they produced a performance full of heart, quality and resilience – even if the final outcome was cruel.
The game began cautiously for Naas, understandably so after the long lay‑off. It took around ten minutes, and a couple of early Eagles attacks, for the boys to find their rhythm. Once they did, momentum began to swing decisively.
Naas first threatened on 17 minutes when Mattias Azzopardi rounded the goalkeeper in style and calmly slid the ball home, only to see the effort ruled out for offside. That moment sparked a dominant spell. Just a minute later, Azzopardi was slipped through again, this time denied by a strong save from the Eagles keeper.
At the other end, Alex Higgins produced what can only be described as a world‑class save from a dangerous Eagles free kick – a reminder of his importance between the posts. Huey Phelan then began to find space down the left, curling a 20‑yard effort that was well saved on 22 minutes. He would not be denied for long.
On 23 minutes, Ryan Murtagh’s pace and determination saw him burst past his marker and fire a low cross across the box. Phelan arrived perfectly to curl the ball into the net, giving Naas a deserved 1–0 lead. Just four minutes later it was 2–0. This time Phelan turned provider, sliding captain Dawid Kolter through on goal, and Kolter showed composure beyond his years to slot home with confidence.
Naas looked firmly in control, particularly at the back, where the formidable wall of Thady Gilltrap, Jake Dooley, Jack Tilly and Matthew Greene stood strong. However, a contentious refereeing decision on 36 minutes saw the Eagles awarded a penalty, which was converted to make it 2–1 at half‑time and shift the momentum.
The Eagles emerged for the second half with renewed belief and found an equaliser on 56 minutes with a long‑range strike that left Higgins with no chance, in truth the build up to their second their was a foul on a Naas player but the referee couldn't see it due to the blinding sun. Still, Naas refused to fold. Instead, they dug in and pushed forward once more.
On 70 minutes, a frantic 30‑second melee in the Eagles box summed up the contest. Sean Onwere saw a close‑range effort saved from the tightest of angles, Conor Fagan’s rebound volley was brilliantly stopped, and Phelan then had a goal‑bound effort blocked on the line. Deep into stoppage time, Onwere was inches away from a winner as a fizzing low cross flashed just beyond his sliding reach at the back post.
With the scores level at full time, the tie went to extra time. By now Naas were running on fumes but continued to give absolutely everything. In the first minute of extra time, Phelan delivered an outrageous ball over the top for Fagan, who rounded the keeper only to see his shot strike the side netting. Isaac Cramer then put his body on the line repeatedly, forcing a save from 30 yards, while Liam O’Shea – cramping in both legs yet still driving forward – saw a header saved on the stroke of half‑time in extra time.
The second period of extra time was tense and nervy, and heartbreak arrived at the death when the Eagles grabbed the winning goal. Final score: Naas AFC 2 – FC Eagles 3 (AET).
While the result was painful, the performance was anything but. The defensive unit of Higgins, Gilltrap, Dooley, Tilly and Greene proved themselves a back line any team would fear. Kolter and O’Shea ran the midfield with relentless energy and quality. Phelan’s creativity on the left was pure genius, Murtagh’s and Onwere's heart and work rate on the right never wavered, and Azzopardi’s pressing and ball‑carrying constantly unsettled the opposition.
Jack Campbell showed calmness and maturity in a demanding role, Ollie Curran impressed on his return in an unfamiliar left‑back position, Jake Pitt Byrne brought constant desire down the flank, and Isaac Cramer embodied pure determination, winning balls and dragging his teammates forward. Up front, Conor Fagan carried the burden of leading the line for over an hour, giving the Eagles defence one of the toughest afternoons they are likely to experience.
This was a night of disappointment in scoreline only. In spirit, character and performance, these Naas boys were outstanding.
Next up… Athy Town? You’d better watch out.
