Girls U12 Major (2013) - Moone Celtic

The Naas AFC U12 Major side gave what was probably their best performance of the season against Moone Celtic’s unbeaten league leaders on Friday night.

The team has been progressing all season, as individuals and a collective, and this 60-minute performance was proof of all their hard work and developing skills.

Their work rate was off the charts with players having to catch second- and even third-breaths as they covered every blade of grass.

Goalkeeper Lauren O’Reilly was needed to pull off some superb saves against such a strong visiting team, but she was ably supported and protected by a brilliant defence marshalled in the centre by Alex Brereton.

Possibly the best moment of the game - and one that summed up the Naas effort - came late in the first-half when Ava Haberlin raced back to clear off her line when Moone seemed sure to score.

Another key was the box-to-box efforts of all the midfielders while Aoife Flanagan was a constant out-ball up front and a thorn in the side of the Celtic defence with her runs and pace.

Two-nil down after the first quarter, Naas dominated long stretches of the second as they worked the ball from defence and pressed high when out of possession. Some of their team moves were excellent.

Another notable aspect of the performance was how Naas maintained their shape and their style through the second-half having made five changes at the break. The only thing lacking was a goal, which they richly deserved.

Naas AFC: Lauren O’Reilly, Chloe O’Brien, Alex Brereton, Ava Haberlin, Cora Morgan (captain), Alanna Jane Leydon, Katie Malone, Evie Dodd, Aoife Flanagan, Alana Fossland, , Abbygail O’Connor, Ava Hartigan, Layla Drewitt, Yuna Cahill.