Boys U17 (2009) Premier - Kilcock Celtic
This was the battle of the reigning league champions and arguably the best team in the division — and it did not disappoint. Early goals, late drama, a penalty, yellow cards — this match had it all.
Few could have predicted the start, as Kilcock were awarded a penalty straight from kick-off and converted to make it 1–0 after just one minute. But as the saying goes, “the best time to concede is the first minute, and the best time to score is the last.”
Naas reacted superbly, immediately going on the front foot. On three minutes, Ryan Murtagh saw his effort sail just over the bar. The game entered a scrappy phase with neither side able to take full control of possession. Naas pressed high, and on 16 minutes Jack Campbell’s pressure forced a poor clearance from the Kilcock goalkeeper, falling to Dawid Kolter whose first-time strike fizzed inches wide.
Moments later, Luca Muthi cut in from the left and forced a save as Naas continued to grow into the game. However, Kilcock capitalised on another defensive lapse on 25 minutes to double their lead to 2–0.
Right from the restart, the impressive Huey Phelan fired narrowly wide as Naas began to dominate. Attack after attack followed, and the breakthrough came just before half-time. A perfectly delivered Kolter corner found the head of Jack Tilly, who powered home to make it 2–1.
Naas entered the second half full of belief. Their aggression and determination showed as they won every first and second ball. On 50 minutes, Isaac Cramer’s thunderous 30-yard half-volley forced a good save, and just two minutes later, Jake Pitt Byrne’s clever touch and pass released Ryan Murtagh, whose cross found Kolter — but his shot blazed over.
Against the run of play, Kilcock struck again on 58 minutes to make it 3–1. But that only woke the sleeping giant — the Mentality Monsters were about to take over.
On 60 minutes, Huey Phelan curled home a beautifully executed free-kick to reduce the deficit to 3–2. Naas piled forward relentlessly. Jake Dooley went close from 18 yards, and the pressure kept mounting.
Then, on 72 minutes, Phelan was at it again — this time delivering a pinpoint cross that found the head of Mattias Azzopardi, who made no mistake to level the match at 3–3.
Naas were in full control now. On 75 minutes, Sean Onwere threaded a perfect through pass to Azzopardi, whose low cross was met by Pitt Byrne — his effort drifting just wide. Moments later, he went close again, forcing an excellent save from the Kilcock keeper.
But these boys don’t settle. In the 90th minute, when other teams might have been happy with a point, Naas surged forward once more. Another Kolter corner — another Phelan header — and the ball crashed into the net. 4–3 Naas! What a comeback.
From the first whistle to the last, this was a team performance full of heart, grit, and quality.
Alex “Safe Hands” Higgins made vital saves.
Matthew Greene and Brody Power were solid at full-back.
Jack Tilly and Jake Dooley were a nightmare for opposing attackers.
Liam O’Shea dominated the midfield.
And the forward line — Phelan, Azzopardi, Pitt Byrne, Murtagh, and Kolter — were unplayable.
Final Score: Kilcock Celtic 3 – 4 Naas AFC
Goals: Tilly, Phelan (2), Azzopardi
Assists: Kolter (2), Phelan
Summary:
What a performance. What a comeback. What a team. This victory perfectly embodied the spirit of Naas AFC — determination, quality, and the refusal to ever give up.
