Maynooth claim U23 title after extra-time victory over Naas

Whitewater Shopping Centre U23 ‘A’ Football Final

Maynooth 1-14

Naas 1-13

(AET)

Maynooth have won the U23 ‘A’ Football Final after an incredible extra-time victory over Naas. The game played a long time after it was supposed to was well worth the wait as these sides played out a cracking game.

The winning score came from the boot of Cathal McCabe as he converted an excellent score, cutting in on his right foot and sending the ball gliding over the bar to clutch victory for Maynooth. 

The match winning score was the cool headed moment needed as both sides squandered chances to win this game in extra-time. 

Naas’ Dermot Hanafin had a chance to level the game late on but saw his free-kick drift wide and to the right.

The start of the second half of normal time set the tone of chaos that carried on until the closing whistle. Maynooth trailing by two came out for the second half like a house on fire as Kevin Donovan knocked over a point after just 17 seconds.

Donovan found space once more just a minute later but this took aim at Jack Rodger’s goal and there was little the Naas goalkeeper could do about the effort that followed. Donovan blasted the ball off the inside of the post and in, an unstoppable effort.

A Maynooth point from centre-back Niall O’Sulivan gave them an incredible three-point lead in just two minutes after the game restarted.

You would expect Naas to be reeling but they came firing back and just a minute later Niall Aherne was through on goal. The Naas corner-forward was dragged to the ground and the referee signalled for a penalty.

Kevin Cummins stepped up for Naas and saw his effort brilliantly saved by Cian Randles in the Maynooth goal. But Cummins was first back to the ball and smashed in the rebound. The goal made the game 1-6 to 1-6 and the sides would not be separated by more than two points again in normal time.

Naas led until the 58th minute when Cathal McCabe drilled over a close range effort over the bar that would send this game into extra-time.

In stark contrast the first half was much more considered. It began with the ball being thrown-in by referee Paddy McDermott and after Sean Hanafin won possession Naas went right after their opponents. After some meaningful possession, wing-back Tom Browne found space and cut inside smartly onto his left foot before slotting one over the bar.

The next score would also go the way of the boys in blue as they looked to leave their mark on this game early doors. Luke Griffin was the next man on the scoresheet as he gave his side a two-point lead after four minutes.

However, Maynooth were ready with an instant response as the talismanic Sean Hever got his first score of the game. The scores weren’t overly frequent but there was plenty to get fans excited in the first half as both sides played positive football. A sight that anyone who was in St Conleth’s the day before will have welcomed even with open arms.

Patrick Mahoney would draw the sides level as he used his trademark dribbling and agility to beat his man and record a fine score.

After a goal-mouth scare that Maynooth survived, it would be the resulting kick-out that caused them trouble. Maynooth lost their next two restarts from their goalkeeper and both were punished by Naas as Dermot Hanafin and Billy Byrne both got a score from the stray kicks.

The pressure continued as Naas poured on the pressure but the Maynooth backline were resolute and some last ditch blocks at key moments kept the ball out of the trailing side’s Naas. 

Set-pieces would extend Naas’ lead as goalkeeper Jack Rodgers sent a perfectly executed 45’ between the posts. Luke Griffin popped over a free of his own to extend the gap to four.

Maynooth survived the onslaught without a green flag against their name and would finish the half the stronger of the two as their attack drew two fouls from the defence. Both of which would be taken advantage of as Sean Hever converted by frees with relative ease. The sides entered the break with Naas leading 0-6 to 0-4.

The game would go on to explode into life and the eventual winners Maynooth coming out on top of a superb contest.

Maynooth, Kevin Donovan 1-2, Sean Hever 0-5 (0-3 frees), Cathal McCabe 0-4, Patrick Mahoney 0-2 (0-1 frees), Niall O'Sullivan 0-1.

Naas, Kevin Cummins 1-0, Luke Griffin 0-3 (0-2 frees), Dermot Hanafin 0-2, Brian Stynes 0-2, Alex Beirne 0-2, Tom Browne 0-1,  Billy Byrne 0-1, Jack Rodgers 0-1 (0-1 45'), Sean Hanafin 0-1.

MAYNOOTH:  Cian Randles; Cathal Quinn, Conor Lynch, Luke Murnane; Callum McCabe, Niall O'Sullivan, Fionn O'Giollain; Ciarán Flanagan, David Bonass; Kevin Donovan, Jack Murnane, Cathal McCabe; Patrick Mahoney, James Hever, Sean Hever.

Subs:  Daniel O'Meara on for Luke Murnane (35 minutes), Ciaran Hayes on for Jack Murnane (48 minutes), Daniel Farrell on for Kevin Donovan (53 minutes), Sean Creevy on for Callum McCane (56 minutes), Luke Kosinki on for David Bonass (9 minutes of Extra-time), Kevin Donovan on for Patrick Mahoney (12 minutes of extra-time).

NAAS: Jack Rodgers; Brian Stynes, Eoghan Prizeman, Cathal Daly; Tom Browne, Mark Maguire, Nick Sweeney; Jack Cleary, Sean Hanafin; Sean Cullen, Dermot Hanafin, Kevin Cummins; Luke Griffin, Billy Byrne, Niall Aherne.

Subs: Drew Costello on for Nick Sweeney (37 minutes), Alex Beirne on for Billy Byrne (43 minutes), Sam Morrissey on for Sean Cullen (43 minutes), Tim Ryan on for Tom Browne (59 minutes), Daire Guerin on for Jack Cleary (9th of minute ET), David Lynch on for Luke Griffin (Half-time of Extra-time).

Referee: Paddy McDermott