Boys U16 (2010) Premier - Clane

We travelled to Clane for what proved to be a hard-fought local derby, eventually going down 3–1 despite a decent erformance and plenty of missed opportunities and we dominated 80% of the game. A Tale of taking your chances and being more clinical spring to mind.

Naas started the brighter of the two sides, dominating possession and creating several clear chances on thr very small astro pitch.. Conor Murtagh and Evan Malone both went close early on, firing just over from inside the box. James Collins also tested the Clane keeper from distance on a number of occasions, but Naas couldn’t find the breakthrough their play deserved.

After weathering the early pressure, Clane began to settle and grow into the game. Their dangerous No.8 caused problems down the left, and it was his whipped cross that led to the opening goal, finished well at the back post. Clane doubled their lead soon after when Naas failed to clear their lines, and the hosts took a 2–0 advantage into the break.

Naas came out firing in the second half, once again taking control of the game. Sean Stafford went close with a low effort that flashed wide, while a series of chances came and went without reward. The breakthrough finally came when Jack O’Brien’s powerful strike was parried by the Clane goalkeeper, and Max Galvin reacted quickest to slot home the rebound and make it 2–1.

With momentum on their side, Naas pushed hard for an equaliser. Daniel Oke was unlucky to see his back-post header go just wide, and the visitors threw everything forward in the closing stages, moving to three at the back in search of a late goal. However, a defensive lapse allowed Clane to break and add a third on the counter.

There was still late drama when Jack O’Brien found the net, only for the referee to controversially rule it out for offside — a decision that summed up Naas’s luck on the day.

Full-Time: Clane 3–1 Naas AFC