Boys U16 (2010) Premier - Kilcullen Prem
Football can be cruel sometimes and you don't get what you deserve sometimes.
That is exactly how the match played out last night.
On a perfect evening for football and Pitch 1 in immaculate condition, Naas lined up in the Cup Semi Finals against our oldest rival, and current league leaders, Kilcullen.
Naas went into the match with no form but mgt had huge believe in this team to put in a performance. Mgt asked for passion, commitment, and an 80 minute performance from all 15 players.
The game kicked off and it was clear from the first whistle, Naas were up for this big time. They tore into Kilcullen, worked like dogs and never gave Kilcullen a second on the ball. We should have been 2 or 3 up in the first 10 minutes. The front 3 of Ned, Aaron and Jack were causing huge problems for the Kilcullen rear guard.
First chance fell to Ned, following a great break down the left by Aaron, who squared for Ned to hit wide. 2 minutes later, Aaron and Jack were denied by a great double save by thr Kilcullen goal keeper. The workrate of Jack was exceptional during this period, added by Aaron and Ned. The midfield 3 of Evan Mort, Sean and James were first to every ball and driving the team forward.
Naas had the ball in the net, following a great run by Jack down the right, who squared it to Aaron,who was wrongly adjudged to be offside.
We were then denied a stone wall penalty when the Kilcullen rearguard brought Aaron down in the box.
After the frantic 20 minutes Kilcullen started to get a foothold in the game, but against the run of play, scored from a header from a corner. They have a very big side and the CB rose for 1-0.
They double their lead 5 minutes later when they were awarded a penalty, which was not ( no bias here). All we want is consistency and if that was a penalty we should have had one 10 mins earlier.
2-0 became 3 a short while later, when a speculative shot was palmed by Alec Walsh, who was again excellent in goal, but unfortunately Kilcullen reacted quickest, to tap in for 3.
Half time. Mgt told the lads this game was far from over. Mgt brought on Jamie Byrnes for energy in midfield, Roddy for some magic wide right, and Max Galvin for balance on the left.
Naas again started on the front foot, and were largely camped in Kilcullen half.
The glimmer of hope came about 12 mins in. Following good work from Fred Cowdell and Evan Moriarty, we forced a corner. Max Gavin delivered a peach of a ball, which was whipped into the back post, for Aaron to rise highest for 1 back.
Kilcullen created very little but anything they did create was sniffed out by the back 4 of Fred, Evan Malone, Daniel Oke and Matthew. With legs tiring, we shifted Evan Malone into the middle of the park, for energy. Evan and Evan, along with James and Jamie started to dominate again in the middle and creating chances for Jack, Aaron and Roddy. Roddy was really growing into the game, and causing the full back problems.
A lovely move created the second, ball was shifted between James C and Evan Malone over to the right to Roddy. Roddy played a lovely ball down the channel to Aaron, who beat the centre half. Aaron turned provider and squared the ball to Jack who tapped home from 6 yards. GAME ON.
Naas ultras were going mental!!!
With the clock against us, Naas pushed and introduced fresh legs in Cian Leonard for James Collins, who put in a massive shift. Jack went close from a powerful drive, which the keeper dealt with. We forced several corners, where we could not get a head or boot to.
With 4 minutes left, Kilcullen on a rare break won a corner. Ball dropped to their centre back who toe poked it home from 3 yards.
4-2 and the game was done.
On another day and a bit of luck, we could have won this game by 3 or 4. Whilst we are very disappointed, the lads gave everything, worked for each other, showed desire and commitment for the crest and jersey, and we could not be prouder of that display.
All 15 lads played a huge role in the match today and we could not single out any of them for praise. Special mention to Conor Murtagh and Andrew O Toole, both out injured, who were in the dugout tonight and became like assistant coaches, roaring and encouraging the lads on.
