Early second half failings costs Naas dearly against UCC

After the Christmas break, the Energia All-Ireland League Division 1B resumed last Saturday afternoon with Naas travelling down to Cork to face UCC.

Despite wet, damp conditions, both sides endeavoured to play open, attacking rugby and as a result the attendance were treated to a superb game, with no less than 69 points being scored.

It was a match that the Kildare side will have nightmares about, as it is certainly one that they could have emerged victorious from – but a dreadful start to the second half ultimately proved to be their downfall.

It took a little for the rustiness after the break to wear off, but the game burst into life after ten minutes when Naas took the lead.

The visitors attacked from the half-way line, a nice pass by Adam Deay put Muiris Cleary into space, the latter then sprinted away and was up to the UCC 22 before he was hauled down. When stopped he off-loaded to the supporting Paddy Taylor who finished well in the right corner. A super conversion by Taylor put Naas seven points in front.

It took UCC until the half-hour mark to respond. They had tried a driving maul on a couple of prior occasions without success, but this time it set the platform for a score.

From a line-out the maul was again formed and they marched right up to the Naas line before being stopped. The home side stayed patient, a series of pick and goes followed, before Kamil Nowak crashed over from close range. Surprisingly Charlie O’Shea missed the relatively easy conversion attempt.

Within two minutes UCC were in front for the first time. A brilliant break by David Nowak took play into the Naas 22, the ball then went through the hands of Jack Casey and Harry Murphy out to the supporting Charlie O’Shea who finished off a fine move.

Again the latter was unable to convert, but UCC led by 10 points to seven.
However it was Naas who were to have the final say of the half. In injury time, from a line-out just outside the UCC 22, the ball was moved out to Tom Bohan who passed inside to Jack Sheridan, and despite the best efforts of two defenders the Naas winger showed great strength in brushing off their attempted tackles, before racing clear to score under the posts. Paddy Taylor added the conversion and Naas led 14-10 at the interval.

But the visitors had a dreadful start to the second half and conceded a try within 21 seconds of the resumption.

From the restart they attempted to move the ball but David Cogan was lurking, he gleefully intercepted and raced clear to score. It was a case of déjà vu after 48 minutes. Again Naas attempted to run a ball just inside their own half, and again Cogan was waiting, making the intercept and despite the best efforts Tadgh Brophy he just made the line to score. Charlie O’Shea converted both scores and UCC now led 24-14.

These were two sickening blows for Naas but to their credit they did not lie down and responded within three minutes.

The visitors attacked from the ten metre line and the ball was moved left to Donal Conroy who had joined the attack from the opposite wing. He sliced through the home defence before putting Jack Sheridan in for a score in the corner. Paddy Taylor slotted the resulting conversion to reduce the margin back to three points.

However, the lead was extended back out to ten points after 66 minutes. A fine break by Jack Casey had the Naas defence scrambling deep in their own 22, the ball was then recycled and moved out to Gene O’Leary Kareem who had a two man overlap outside him.

Jack Sheridan managed to get a hand on his subsequent pass and tip it away. Referee Shane Gaughan had no hesitation in awarding a penalty try to the home side for a deliberate knock on, and brandished a yellow card to the Naas player.

Again Naas responded quickly and scored the try of the match after 69 minutes. From deep in their own half the visitors attacked, and moved the ball out wide to Donal Conroy. He chipped over the heads of the UCC backs and showed great pace to gather his own kick. He then put in a sublime crossfield kick that was gathered by Eoin Walsh who then ran in unopposed to score under the posts. Paddy Taylor added the conversion to make the score the 31-28 in favour of UCC.

This score meant that Naas had bagged a try scoring bonus point, with the chance of more to come if they could grab victory in the last ten minutes. However it was not to be and the home side finished stronger. After 72 minutes a powerful run by Jason Aherne saw him score in the corner, and with Charlie O’Shea adding the conversion and a penalty in injury time the home side ran out winners on a 41-28 scoreline.

As stated Naas will be extremely disappointed with this loss as the concession of two intercept tries within eight minutes during the second half proved to be their downfall. However they at least had the consolation of leaving Cork with a try scoring bonus point, which could be vital come the end of the season.

Next up for them is a home fixture against Garryowen on January 24. This game has a 2.30pm kick-off, and as always all support will be greatly appreciated.

UCC: Harry Murphy, Neville O’Leary, Gene O’Leary Kareem, David Cogan, Mark Hetherington, Charlie O’Shea, Jack Casey, Sean Dunne, Stephen O’Shaughnessy, Danny McCarthy, Sam O’Sullivan (capt), Jason Aherne, Michael O’Sullivan, David Nowak, Kamil Nowak. Replacements: Daragh Prenter, Alex Hamilton, Ted O’Callaghan, Conor Kidney, Paddy Gaffney, David Keily.

Naas: Charlie Sheridan, Donal Conroy, Paddy Taylor, Tom Monaghan, Jack Sheridan, Tom Bohan, Tadhg Brophy, Stephen Lackey, Brad Clements, Adam Deay, James O’Loughlin, Oisin Halpin, Darragh Murphy, Muiris Cleary, Paulie Tolofua (capt). Replacements: Fintan O’Malley, Callum Coyne, Eoin Walsh, Conor Butler, Cormac King, Dylan O’Keeffe.

Referee: Shane Gaughan.

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