Boys U17 (2009) Premier - Athy Town FC
Naas AFC 4 – 2 Athy Town
Naas welcomed Athy Town knowing this was always going to be a tough battle, and the visitors wasted no time showing their intent when they struck from a corner in the opening minute to take an early 0–1 lead.
The early setback didn’t faze the Naas boys, who gradually began to settle and impose themselves on the game. On 12 minutes they created their first real chance when a Dawid Kolter corner found the head of Jack Tilly, whose knockdown landed at the feet of Conor Fagan, but his effort drifted just wide of the post. Moments later Huey Phelan tried his luck from distance, only to see his strike sail over the bar.
Naas continued to press and their efforts were rewarded on 21 minutes. Liam O’Shea, once again the driving force in midfield, stepped forward and unleashed a superb strike to level the game at 1–1.
With momentum now firmly with the home side, Naas pushed forward in search of a second. On 33 minutes substitute Sean Onwere made an immediate impact, finishing well after being set up by Phelan to give Naas a 2–1 lead.
As the half drew to a close Naas continued to threaten. Fagan showed great determination to win possession high up the pitch before slipping the ball through to Isaac Cramer, whose effort flashed just wide. However, Naas were not to be denied before the break. On 44 minutes another dangerous Kolter corner caused problems, and this time Jack Tilly reacted quickest to fire home and send Naas into the interval with a 3–1 lead.
The second half began with Athy looking to get themselves back into the contest, but Alex Higgins produced a top-quality save on 52 minutes to preserve Naas’ two-goal advantage.
Naas remained dangerous on the break and on 54 minutes Phelan played Onwere through on goal, only for his effort to fly over the bar. The fourth goal eventually arrived on 65 minutes and it was a moment of individual brilliance from Conor Fagan, who beat three defenders, rounded the goalkeeper and calmly finished to make it 4–1, with Matthew Greene providing the assist.
Athy refused to give up and pulled a goal back from another corner on 77 minutes to make it 4–2, setting up a nervy finish. Naas continued to create chances though, with Jake Pitt Byrne seeing an effort skim the crossbar and Ollie Curran forcing a good save from the Athy keeper.
In the end, Naas’ quality and determination proved the difference as they battled hard across the pitch to secure an impressive 4–2 victory.
It was a performance built on teamwork and resilience. From Higgins’ important saves, to the solid defending of Tilly, Greene, Giltrap, Kolter and company, the tireless work of O’Shea, Murtagh Muthi, Power, Pitt Byrne and Phelan in midfield, and the attacking threat of Curran, Campbell, Fagan, Onwere and Cramer, every player played their part in a hard-fought win.
A tough battle — but another important victory for Naas.
