Boys U13 (2013) Major 1 - Kill Celtic

On a wet and windy morning, the newly formed Naas AFC U13 M1 side kicked off their season with a tough away fixture against a well-drilled Kill Celtic team. Despite the difficult conditions and the challenge of a strong opponent, the Naas boys showed glimpses of promise, resilience, and plenty of heart in their first competitive outing together.

Kill Celtic made the most of playing with the wind in the first half, capitalising on a few early defensive errors to race into a 3-0 lead within the first 10 minutes. It was a harsh welcome to the league for the Naas side, but to their credit, the boys never dropped their heads.

Battling bravely against the wind and a physically strong Kill side, Naas began to settle and created some decent opportunities of their own, showing flashes of what they are capable of.

Unfortunately, another slip at the back before the break allowed Kill to add a fourth, leaving Naas facing a mountain to climb going into half-time at 4-0 down.

After a regroup and a refocus during the interval, Naas emerged for the second half with renewed energy and determination.

The wind now at their backs, they came out with purpose and intensity, and it didn’t take long for their efforts to be rewarded.

A well-taken goal from Conor Hogan got Naas off the mark, and shortly after, a dangerous whipped corner from Robbie O’Rourke forced an own goal to bring the scoreline to 4-2.

With the momentum shifting, Naas pushed hard for a third, but a brief lapse in concentration allowed Kill to strike again, making it 5-2 against the run of play.

Still undeterred, Naas continued to press and were soon rewarded when Conor Hogan bagged his second of the game, reducing the deficit to just two once again.

However, hopes of a dramatic comeback were short-lived as Kill responded immediately with a sixth, and just before the final whistle, they sealed the result with a seventh on the counter.

While the 7-3 scoreline may not reflect the balance of play, there were plenty of positives to take from this spirited performance. With only two weeks together as a squad, the Naas players showed tremendous attitude, teamwork, and the foundations of a team that will no doubt improve with time.

With continued commitment on the training ground, this group is sure to experience many more good days ahead.