Boys U12 (2014) Major - Coill Dubh
Fresh off our last Coill Dubh victory on 2nd July, where Naas fully earned their 2–1 win, Coill Dubh arrived at our grounds determined to settle the score. The day was already shaping up to be a scorcher; the car thermometer was reading 30 degrees at 11:45. Before kick-off, the coaches rallied the boys, reminding them how well they performed in the previous match on another blistering day, and urging them to start strong, attack early, and prevent Coill Dubh from settling. At kick-off, the boys delivered. They pieced together two excellent passages of play, slicing through the Coill Dubh defence. One move ended with a shot from Matthew W, dragged just across the face of goal. 2 minutes: GOAL NAAS — Conor L (assist: Alex S). Naas had a touch of fortune as the ball bobbled around midfield. Alex S pounced, threading a clever pass through to the onrushing Conor, who finished confidently, his second goal of the season. Despite the early setback, Coill Dubh were clearly up for the fight. There was real bite in their challenges, and they carved out chances, but the defensive trio of Bobby, Darragh P, and Alex K stood firm. In midfield, Alex S and Seb worked tirelessly, breaking up play and launching counters down the wings through Jason and Matthew. Both sides traded blows. Jason saw plenty of the ball down the right, and Naas created chances, but Coill Dubh remained dangerous. 20 minutes: Coill Dubh penalty. A cruel bounce struck a Naas hand, and the referee pointed to the spot. Coill Dubh converted — though for a moment it looked like Evan had pulled off a stunning save, getting down brilliantly to his bottom left. The Naas coaches erupted in celebration, only to be informed by the Coill Dubh players that the ball had actually gone in and slipped out through the side netting. A strongly worded letter will be drafted to Mick OT and Co. for supplying such questionable equipment and making the U12 coaches look like total tools. Naas responded well, stitching together several strong phases. The midfield transitioned the ball sharply to the wings and forward. Matthew went close on 22 minutes, Conor again on 23 minutes, both denied by excellent saves from the Coill Dubh keeper. On 24 minutes, Alex S delivered a superb corner, and Matthew met it well, but his header drifted just wide which brough us into half time. This was shaping up to be a cracking game with both sides looking for another.
Naas began the second half brightly. Alex K, now pushed from left-back into midfield, immediately sparked a few counterattacking opportunities. Coill Dubh, who had spent most of the game bypassing midfield entirely, continued to launch long balls toward our back line, but the defence absorbed the pressure superbly. Alex S, dropping from midfield into defence, slotted into his new role effortlessly, while Bobby and Darragh P remained rock‑solid throughout. In front of them, Seb, our man of the match, delivered a tireless performance. He shielded the back line brilliantly, broke up Coill Dubh’s play, and repeatedly set Alex and the wingers (Jason and Matthew) away on the counter. Coill Dubh threatened and nearly scored, but Evan produced a terrific save. The rebound fell kindly for Coill Dubh, yet they blasted over the bar, a huge relief for Naas. The boys regrouped quickly and pushed forward again. 35 minutes: GOAL NAAS — Conor. Jason did brilliantly down the right, closing down the Coill Dubh defender and forcing a miss hit back‑pass. Conor reacted instantly, pouncing on the loose ball and beating the keeper. Naas 2–1. Conor almost completed his hat‑trick on 37 minutes, but the Coill Dubh keeper pulled off another excellent save. Coill Dubh were reeling. Matthew, who had spent most of the first half with two Coill Dubh shadows glued to him, finally found some space, and he made it count. 40 minutes: GOAL NAAS — Matthew. The Coill Dubh keeper parried a shot, and Matthew reacted quickest, firing home to make it 3–1. From there, Naas controlled the game. They transitioned the ball confidently, and two late chances fell to Alex K (47 mins) and Jason (54 mins), both well‑worked moves that forced strong saves from the Coill Dubh keeper. Final score: Naas 3–1 Coill Dubh.
If you’ve been watching our recent games, you’ll know this probably wasn’t our sharpest performance, despite the result. It took until the second half for us to really settle, move the ball properly, and find our rhythm. On a day this hot, with no subs, that’s completely understandable, and it makes the boys’ effort even more impressive. Coill Dubh are an excellent side, and beating them while not quite at our best, simply by working for each other, staying organised, and refusing to give in, says a huge amount about this group. It shows the commitment they’re putting into training and the improvements in their fitness. Without that fitness, or without the willingness to fight for every ball, we wouldn’t have come out on top under those conditions. So this was a brilliant achievement. Full credit to the players who show up week after week, and to the parents whose support makes all of it possible.
