Boys U17 (2009) Premier - Athy Town

🏆🔵 Naas AFC 7 – 2 Athy Town 🔵🏆

NAAS AFC ARE KDUL U17 PREMIER LEAGUE CHAMPIONS

Champions.

Not because of one game.

Not because of one moment.

Not because of one player.

Champions because of months of hard work, relentless football, unbelievable mentality and a squad that simply refused to give up.

But fittingly, on the day they could officially crown themselves league winners, Naas AFC produced a performance worthy of champions.

The match kicked off with the knowledge that victory would secure the KDUL U17 Premier League title. Yet just two minutes in, Athy Town stunned the home side with an early goal that could have shaken lesser teams.

But this Naas side never panic.

They never stop.

They never give up.

And the response was immediate.

A long kick out from Alex Higgins found Conor Fagan, whose superb first touch and movement created just enough space to unleash a fierce 20-yard strike that proved too powerful for the Athy keeper.

1–1.

Game on.

Isaac Cramer almost added another moments later with a powerful 25-yard effort that flew just over the bar, before Athy came within inches of retaking the lead — only for Jake Dooley to produce an unbelievable goal-line block after their striker rounded the goalkeeper.

It proved to be a defining moment.

From there, Naas shifted through the gears.

Liam O’Shea drove forward relentlessly and shot narrowly wide, while Dawid Kolter forced a strong save as Naas tightened their grip on the match.

Then came another moment of brilliance from Conor Fagan.

On 24 minutes, assisted by Huey Phelan, Fagan curled a sensational 25-yard effort into the top corner to make it 2–1 and ignite huge celebrations.

A minute later, Fagan turned creator. His latest effort was saved, but Sean Onwere reacted quickest to slot home the rebound for 3–1.

Naas were rampant.

Next it was Isaac Cramer’s turn to get in on the act, arriving perfectly onto another dangerous Phelan cross to make it 4–1.

Although Athy pulled one back from a free kick on 34 minutes, Naas refused to slow down.

Cramer struck again on 37 minutes after being played through superbly by Liam O’Shea, calmly finishing to make it 5–2.

And just before half time, Fagan completed a magnificent hat-trick after O’Shea danced through the Athy midfield before providing the assist.

6–2 at the break.

Champions-elect were now in full flow.

The second half continued in exactly the same fashion. On 50 minutes, Cramer produced a driving run and low cross across the area that Fagan tapped home for his fourth goal of the game and Naas’ seventh.

Even after that, Naas kept attacking.

Huey Phelan saw a header cleared off the line, Ryan Murtagh believed he had scored only for the referee to wave play on, while Ollie Curran, Jack Campbell and Liam O’Shea all went close as Naas looked for even more goals.

But when the final whistle blew, the scoreline almost became secondary.

Because this was about far more than one result.

This was the culmination of a season of growth, sacrifice, resilience and belief.

This was the day these boys became champions.

Isaac Cramer produced arguably his best performance of the season. Conor Fagan delivered a four-goal masterclass. Huey Phelan continued his incredible creative form with two more assists.

Jake Dooley and Thady Giltrap once again looked unbeatable at the heart of the defence, while Matthew Greene continued the most consistent spell of his season with another composed display.

Alex Higgins and Pampa Saviotti O’Halloran have pushed each other all season with unbelievable respect and quality between the posts.

Brody Power returned to his best form. Jack Campbell brought calmness and composure whenever the team needed it. Jake Pitt Byrne added rawness, energy and strength throughout the campaign.

Captain Dawid Kolter led this side to its first league title through pure heart, commitment and leadership.

Mattias Azzopardi and Liam O’Shea provided the relentless engine that drove this team forward week after week.

Jack Tilly and Jake Dooley brought no-nonsense defending. Luca Muthi added maturity and technical brilliance. Ryan Murtagh and Sean Onwere brought pace, persistence and energy every single game.

And the truth is…

Every single player brought something unique to this team.

And when all those qualities blended together…

They created a team of champions.

The sky is the limit for these boys.

But right now…

💙 THE SKY IS BLUE 💙