Boys U13 (2013) Premier - Portlaoise AFC Rovers
Naas advanced to the next round of the SFAI Trophy with a commanding performance against Portlaoise Rovers — a display full of energy, passing football, and some superb finishing.
Despite dominating early possession, Naas found themselves 1–0 down midway through the first half after Portlaoise’s only real attack of the half caught them on the break down the attackers right. It was a rare lapse in an otherwise one-sided opening spell where Naas enjoyed possession and territory but just lacked a bit of belief in the final third.
Once the first goal came, though, the floodgates opened. Peter McBride dribbled through the Rovers’ defence and slotted home neatly with his left foot to level the game. Moments later, Kellum Finnegan’s long-range strike was spilled by the keeper and Frankie O’Leary was on hand to bury the rebound and put Naas in front. Finnegan added a third before the break, taking a clever threaded pass from Sean Hayden on the half-turn in the box and finishing calmly.
The second half was even more impressive. The fourth goal was a team move straight from the training ground — Jamie Dunphy won a big 50/50 at the back and Naas built through midfield with crisp, one and two-touch passing before O’Leary finished it superbly. He was then brought down after bursting through again, and was handed the penalty to complete his hat-trick.
Adam Conroy added a sixth with a composed finish before Kian Shanaghy, moved further forward for the final 15 minutes, produced a hat-trick of his own — each goal a quality strike. Mikey Danu also got in on the act with a lovely finish late on, while Max Kennedy almost rounded things off in style with a 25-yard effort that whistled just over with the final kick. Chris Sheridan probed all day but couldn’t find a goal although that he did notch and impressive four assists.
While the opposition struggled to contain Naas’ movement, this was exactly the performance the lads needed — a reminder of just how dangerous they can be when they trust the process and move the ball quickly. Confidence restored, belief building, and plenty of positives to take into the next round against Premier division rivals Monasterevin.
