Boys U17 (2009) Premier - Kilcullen AFC
Kilcullen 2 - 4 Naas AFC
KDUL U17 League
The home side came to avoid defeat — but Naas only play to win.
From the very first whistle, Naas took control of proceedings. Despite Kilcullen’s cautious approach, it was the visitors who dominated the early exchanges. Just four minutes in, Isaac Cramer — back on familiar ground — finished off a beautifully worked team move, only for the goal to be controversially disallowed. A dubious offside decision denied Naas an early lead, but it didn’t stop them from dictating the tempo.
Kilcullen’s plan was clear: disrupt Naas’ rhythm with constant fouls and slow the game down. But when you have Huey Phelan in your side, that strategy rarely works. On 15 minutes, Phelan was brought down 25 yards out — and he dusted himself off to curl home a sensational free kick into the top corner, giving Naas a deserved 0–1 lead.
However, the home side hit back five minutes later, converting a free kick of their own to level the game at 1–1. The match became scrappy, littered with fouls and loose passing as Kilcullen continued to frustrate. Cramer went close again on 26 minutes with a long-range strike that fizzed just wide, but against the run of play, Kilcullen took a 2–1 lead on 30 minutes.
Naas responded immediately with waves of pressure. Centre-back Jack Tilly surged forward and unleashed a powerful 30-yard drive narrowly over the bar — a sign of intent. Moments later came a goal that will live long in memory. Phelan, tormenting the Kilcullen defence down the left, produced a sublime cross with the outside of his right boot, perfectly met by Ryan Murtagh arriving from the opposite flank. Murtagh’s half-volley rocketed into the top corner — an unstoppable strike to make it 2–2.
Just before the break, Dawid Kolter rattled the crossbar from 30 yards, and as the whistle blew, it was clear which team wanted more. Naas were furious to be level; Kilcullen were just relieved.
The second half saw Naas turn up the intensity. Cramer again went close early on, before Liam O’Shea began to stamp his authority all over the game. After fulfilling his defensive duties superbly, O’Shea surged forward, linked with Luca Muthi, and unleashed a thunderous strike reminiscent of Thiago Alcântara — a goal of pure quality to make it 2–3 on 69 minutes.
From there, Naas were rampant. Tilly’s header from a corner was cleared off the line on 86 minutes, but the fourth goal soon followed. Super-sub Conor Fagan slipped a perfect pass through to Mattias Azzopardi, who danced through the Kilcullen defence and calmly slotted home to seal the game at 2–4 on 87 minutes.
Naas finished the game in complete control, launching attack after attack. Jake Dooley and Matthew Greene both saw long-range efforts fly just over, and Phelan was denied another wonder goal as his late free kick smashed against the bar. Greene forced another fine save as Naas finished strongly.
The final whistle blew with Naas fully deserving their 2–4 victory — a performance full of energy, power, and relentless belief. Despite several changes to the starting XI, every player stood tall:
Alex Higgins produced key saves and commanded his area brilliantly.
Greene, Dooley, Tilly, Giltrap, and Power formed a rock-solid back line.
O’Shea, Azzopardi, Murtagh, Phelan, Campbell, Muthi and Kolter brought flair, energy, and fight to midfield.
Onwere, Cramer, and Fagan added pace and persistence up front.
Kilcullen played not to lose — but Naas AFC only play to win.
