Boys U17 (2009) Premier - Castle Villa

Naas AFC 2 – 1 Castle Villa

Naas March Into Cup Final After Semi-Final Thriller

If there was ever a match to showcase every quality this Naas AFC side possesses, this was it.

Relentless work rate.

Top-quality technical ability.

Composure under pressure.

And above all else — unwavering teamwork.

With the first of three massive matches in a five-day spell ahead of them, Naas entered this U17 Cup semi-final fully focused and determined to take another huge step towards silverware.

From the first whistle, Naas looked like a side on a mission.

They attacked with purpose, defended with composure, and pressed Castle Villa relentlessly all over the pitch. The opening warning came on 3 minutes when Dawid Kolter tried his luck from 30 yards, his effort flying just over the bar. Two minutes later Matthew Greene surged forward from defence and forced a save after finding space in the Villa half.

Naas were playing with confidence and intensity.

On 6 minutes, a dangerous Huey Phelan cross found Sean Onwere arriving at the back post, but his header drifted wide.

The breakthrough finally arrived on 11 minutes — and it was a goal worthy of the occasion.

Jake Dooley produced an inch-perfect cross from deep and Huey Phelan met it brilliantly, guiding his header into the top corner to send the home crowd wild.

1–0 Naas.

Castle Villa struggled to cope with Naas’ relentless pressing and increasingly resorted to long balls, but Jake Dooley and Thady Giltrap dealt with everything thrown at them, swallowing up attacks “like a game of Hungry Hungry Hippos.”

Naas were in full control now and doubled their lead on 21 minutes.

Mattias Azzopardi’s relentless pressing and clever play created the opening for Conor Fagan, who finished clinically in trademark fashion to make it 2–0.

At this stage Naas were flowing.

The movement, passing and understanding between players was a joy to watch. Liam O’Shea shot narrowly wide on 28 minutes before Azzopardi fired over moments later. Azzopardi then forced another strong save just before half time as Villa desperately tried to stay in the contest.

While Villa had very few clear-cut opportunities in the opening half, Alex Higgins was top quality in goal, commanding his area brilliantly and dealing calmly with everything thrown at him to help Naas maintain control going into the break.

Truthfully, the half-time whistle probably came at the right time for the visitors.

Naas had been superb.

Changes at half time disrupted the rhythm slightly and Castle Villa managed to pull one back on 49 minutes with a fortunate goal that suddenly gave them belief.

For the first time in the game, Naas were being seriously tested.

How would they respond?

Exactly like top teams do.

They dug in.

Jack Campbell was desperately unlucky not to restore the two-goal lead on 63 minutes with an outrageous volley that was brilliantly saved. Phelan then saw another stunning volley denied in world-class fashion on 73 minutes, while O’Shea continued to drive the midfield forward and shot narrowly wide on 77 minutes.

As Villa pushed harder in the closing stages, Naas needed heroes at the back.

And up stepped Pampa Saviotti O’Halloran.

The goalkeeper produced multiple top-drawer saves, including a sensational point-blank stop in the final minute that ultimately secured Naas’ place in the final.

The celebrations at the final whistle said everything.

Another final secured.

Another massive performance delivered.

And once again, every single player contributed.

Brody Power and Sean Onwere — and later Ryan Murtagh — were relentless down the right-hand side, constantly working up and down the pitch. Dooley and Giltrap were simply outstanding in central defence, delivering what can only be described as 10-out-of-10 performances.

Matthew Greene and Huey Phelan looked almost telepathic with their understanding on the left, while Kolter, Liam O’Shea and Isaac Cramer completely dominated the midfield battle with their strength, composure and technical quality.

Further forward, Campbell, Fagan and Azzopardi constantly terrorised the Villa defence and only reinforced the growing belief that Naas AFC are the best attacking side in the county.

Now, the League Cup Final awaits.

But before that…

One more mission.

Saturday.

A chance to win the league. 🔵⚪🔥