Naas CBS retain Bosco Cup in dramatic Leinster final

Leinster post-primary school Bosco Cup Final 2023

Naas CBS 0-11

Moate CC 0-9

While the official programme of Friday's Leinster PPS 'A' final suggests that Naas CBS had no titles to their credit, this two point win over Moate CC in Laois Hire O'Moore Park on Friday is actually the Naas schools fourth title in five years, in this their fifth schools final in a row, losing out to Rochfordbridge in 2020 and no competition due to covid in 2021.

So an absolute incredible achievement by Naas CBS, their footballers, manager, backroom team and all involved.
Looking back on all of the Naas school's games this season, they have conceded a mere 1-36 in a total of six games, that is an average of just over six points a game so there can be no doubt where the foundation for this year's success has come from — the defence.

And that was evident once again on Friday when some brilliant blocks, at absolute crucial stages, prevented Moate CC from leveling with time running out.

It was Moate CC who came out of the blocks quickest and most impressive.
Inside the opening minute the Westmeath boys had the score board ticking over when a foul on David O'Reilly was converted by Eoin Bracken.

Naas leveled up a few minutes later with an excellent point, Carl Lennox finding Stephen Kelly and the Sallins man split the pots.

Moate certainly were enjoying more of the ball in these early stages and points from Conor Fox and a David O'Reilly free had them lead by two — 0--3 to 0-1 — after seven minutes.

But gradually, amid the incredible noise from the supporters from both schools, Naas began to get a grip; their passing improved, both from the hand the foot and they slowly but surely took control.
Midfielder Tom Kelly found Ryan Sinkey and the big corner forward fired over.

Evan O'Brien, excellent throughout, came out of defence with a great clearance before Fionn McCarthy hit a great ball inside to Callum Barrett and the Ballymore Eustace man gathered, turned on a sixpence before splitting the posts and the sides were level at 0-3 apiece mid-way through.

Moate hit back with a fine effort to regain the lead when corner back Donal Shirley came storming forward to find the posts.
A minute later and Stephen Kelly got his second and his side's fourth score to tie up the game.

It was all of 20 minutes before the first wide of the game arrived and while that came from Naas, some five minutes later the current holders of the Br Bosco Cup were in front for the first time, this time Tom Kelly making a great run before firing over.
Dual star, Cian Boran, made a mighty block to deny Eoin Bracken before Callum Barrett put two between the sides as Naas now had their tails up and were dominating proceedings.

An excellent move involving Carl Lennox, Stephen Kelly and Ryan Sinkey saw the latter fouled and he duly took the free and fired over and then just before the break Carl Lennox got his first of the game as Naas CBS headed to the dressing rooms leading by an impressive four points — 0-8 to 0-4.

In many respects as Naas manager Padraic Cribbin said after the game the half-time came a little too soon as the champions were dominating at that stage and another five minutes or so and they could have nearly have the game wrapped up.

However on the resumption Moate knowing they needed a quick start certainly got that when David O'Reilly, who had a fine game, converted a free to reduce the lead to three.

Four minutes in and Naas restored that five point lead when Carl Lennon fired over; Callum Bennett looked to be in on goal after selling a lovely dummy but his shot at goal was well blocked by an alert defender.

Another excellent move from Naas involving Lennon, Barrett and Tom Kelly was thwarted by a great block by Aodhan Curran.
Moate came forward in a similar type move. Eoin Bracken, Pádraig McLough and Tiernan O'Donnovan combined before the latter reduced the lead back to three with 42 minutes on the clock.

And two minutes later Moate confirmed they were not going away when David O'Reilly came forward and reduce the lead back to three.

Not for the first time Evan O'Briain made a timely intervention; Naas kicked two wides but Moate were winning the vital 50-50s at this stage.

A brilliant run by Aodhan Curran saw the corner back split the posts and the game was not firmly in the first with just two points separating the sides — 0-10 to 0-8 — with 50 minutes on the clock.

Ronan Murray gained possession on the edge of the Naas square, was fouled, referee Maurice Deegan awarded a 20m free and David O'Reilly tapped over to reduce the gap to a single point, 52 minutes gone.

A little bit of frustration was creeping into the Naas attack as they hit their third short; Moate counter attacked and Ronan Murray was somewhat unfortunate when his effort came off the upright, an effort that could have went over or so easily have crept in under the crossbar, but it was cleared much to the delight of Naas.

Back came Moate and when substitute Dean O'Neill looked certain to level the game a brilliant block by Daire Gilmartin averted the danger; that block and the earlier effort off the crossbar were crucial in this rip-roaring final.

Back came Moate gain seeking that equaliser that would guaranteed them a tilt at extra time, at least, but they were turned-over just inside their own half, the ball went to Rian Sinkey, who carried with just the keeper and a defender in his sights. The

Naas man decided to take a pop from some 45/50m out and he hit it perfectly, the ball sailing high and through the posts, a massive score that proved vital as that finally knocked the stuffing out of the Westmeath boys, Naas CBS capturing yet another title on a final score line of Naas CBS 0-11 Moate CC 0-9.

SCORERS
Naas CBS: Ryan Synkey 0-3 (1 free), Carl Lennox 0-3 (2 frees), Stephen Kelly 0-2, Callum Barrett 0-2, Tom Kelly 0-1.

Moate CC: David O'Reilly 0-4 (3 frees), Aodhan Curran 0-1, Conor Fox 0-1, Tiernan O'Donovan 0-1, Donal Shirley 0-1, Eoin Bracken 0-1 (free).

TEAMS
Naas CBS: Fintan Quinn (Naas); Niall Cramer (Raheens), Charlie Murphy (Naas), Cian Boran (Eadestown); Daniel Hamill (Raheens), Eoin Lawlor (Naas), Evan O'Briain (Naas); Austin Brennan (Blessington), Tom Kelly (Naas); Fionn McCarthy (Raheens), Carl Lennox (Kill), Callum Barrett (Ballymore Eustace); Stephen Kelly (Sallins), Evan Gilmartin (Raheens), Ryan Sinkey (Naas). Subs: Jamie McGuirk (Naas) for Charlie Murphy (28 minutes); Daire Gilmartin (Naas) for Evan Gilmartin (35 minutes); Cian O'Reilly (Raheens) for Fionn McCarthy (48 minutes); Finn Ryan (Kill) for Callum Barrett (59 minutes).

Moate CC: James Mitchell; Donal Shirley, Tom Gorman, Aodhan Curran; Darragh Lowry, Cathal Guinan, Adam Keane; David O'Reilly, Conor Fox; Adam Daly, Tiernan O'Donovan, Ronan Murray; Pádraig McLough, Conaire Martin, Eoin Bracken. Subs: Dean O'Neill for Conaire Martin (46 minutes).

REFEREE: Maurice Deegan.