Callaghan the main man as Naas defeat Maynooth

Joe Mallon Motors SFC, Group B, Round 1

Naas 1-16

Maynooth 2-9

Just four between Naas and Maynooth in this Joe Mallon SFC clash at Manguard Park on Sunday, could give the impression of a close, tight game and while there was much to admire from the performance of the underdogs, nevertheless while the three-in-a-row chasing Naas never put their opponents away they were, at all times, in front and never really looked under any real pressure.

Having said that the champs will have to step it up for this Friday and their clash with Sarsfields who will be hurting big-time having lost out to Athy a few evenings earlier.

After 12 minutes it looked like this was going to be a walk in the park for Joe Murphy's side with Eamonn Callaghan opening after a minute, Ciaran Doyle adding a second before Alex Beirne found Paddy McDermott over his right shoulder, the wing back blasting to the net for a well taken goal.
Callaghan added a second, Alex Beirne another and Naas led 1-4 to no score with 12 on the clock.

Neil Flynn opened the Maynooth scoring but Naas were in again, this time Alex Beirne being denied by a fine save from county stopper Mark Donnellan.

Maynooth got themselves right back in the game when Sean Hever found Eoin Donnellan who passed to Neil Flynn, the county firing past Luke Mullins to make it 1-4 to 1-1 mid-way through the opening half.
Flynn converted a free; Naas had another goal chance but Eamonn Callaghan got no real contact on the ball.

Brian Byrne, left his defensive duties behind as the no. 3 came forward to hit a splendid point; Ciaran Flanagan replied for the boys in black but Eamonn Callaghan added two frees before the break. Neil Flynn hit an excellent 48m free to leave the half-time score reading Naas 1-7 Maynooth 1-4.
Kevin Cummins and Dermot Hanafin points were replied to with similar two scores from Sean Hever.

Naas replied with Callaghan, Alex Beirne and Callaghan again to open a six point lead on 48 minutes; a lead that was pushed out to eight with Kevin Cummins and Luke Mullins (free) adding to the Naas total.

The next four points were shared equally, Neil Flynn (2 frees) and Kevin Cummins and Neil Aherne for Naas. and while Sean Hever got his third and a Neil Flynn effort that seemed to be going over but dropped over Luke Mullins for the final score of the game, Naas winning 1-16 to 2-9.

Not spectacular from the champions but all things considered it was more than a decent performance with Eamonn Callaghan once again their main man while Neill Flynn can be more than happy with his final tally of 2-5.

Scorers: Naas, Eamonn Callaghan 0-6 (2 frees), Paddy McDermott 1-0, Kevin Cummins 0-3, Alex Beirne 0-2, Ciaran Doyle 0-1, Brian Byrne 0-1, Luke Mullins 0-1, Neil Ahern 0-1, Sean Hanafin 0-1.

Maynooth, Neil Flynn 2-5 (2 frees), Sean Hever 0-3, Ciaran Flanagan 0-1.

NAAS: Luke Mullins; Cathal Daly, Brian Byrne, Mark Maguire; Paddy McDermott, Eoin Doyle, Eoghan Prizeman; Paul McDermott, James Burke; Alex Beirne, Eamonn Callaghan, Jack McKevitt; Kevin Cummins, Sean Hanafin, Ciaran Doyle. Subs: Neil Aherne for Ciaran Doyle (43 minutes); Brian Kane for Eoghan Prizeman (49 minutes); Paul Sullivan for Eoin Doyle (54 minute).
MAYNOOTH: Mark Donnellan; Sean Higgins, Conor Lynch, Darren Maguire; Callum McCabe, Fionn Ó Giolláin, Sean Mahon; Dean McAvinue, Paul Maguire; Ciarán Flanagan, Sean Hever, Sean Creevy; Chris Canning, John McAndrew, Neil Flynn. Subs: John McAndrew for Dean McAvinue (37 minutes); Daniel O'Meara for Sean Higgins (46 minutes); Ciaran Hayes for Conor Lynch (46 minutes); Sean Creevy for Callum McCabe (57 minutes).

REFEREE: Paddy McDermott.