Boys U13 (2013) Premier - Kildare Town

Heavy early morning rain didn’t stop an all Kildare SFAI Cup Round 1 game from going ahead on Saturday lunchtime.

As the rain passed over the sun came out and Naas settled into the game with early breaks down both wings through Kellum Finnegan and Adam Conroy. It was these two that would combine for the opening goal. Conroy was sent clear down the right by Frankie O’Leary. He cut inside and hit a shot that the Kildare keeper could only parry to Finnegan who fired low to the net. The Naas lead wouldn’t last long though. On one of Kildare’s rare forays into the Naas half they managed to hit a fine strike from distance that Finn Dudley couldn’t hold due to the greasy ball. The Kildare centre forward made no mistake with the rebound. 1-1

Naas continued to dominate possession and territory but were not clinical with their final ball. As Naas forced yet another corner Max Kennedy delivered a fine ball into the 6 yard box that broke to Rian White who made no mistake with a low finish to put Naas back in front before the break. It was the least Naas deserved.

A couple of changes at the break didn’t change the flow of the game and Naas pressed to find a goal that might kill off the tie. They were caught out though as Kildare forced a corner of their own and the resulting melee in the 6 yard box ended up with a looping deflected equaliser. 2-2

As the game drifted towards full time Naas pushed hard for a winner and it duly arrived. Oscar Ross had replaced Finnegan on the left wing made some fine runs down the flank stretching the Kildare defence. He cut the ball back for Christopher Sheridan who unleashed a rocket into the far comer from

Outside the box. What a strike from the left full back. A fitting goal to win any game.

Kildare head into the SFAI Trophy while Naas are into round 2 of the SFAI Cup where they will take on local rivals Kill Celtic.