Kirwan arrives on cue for the champs as Naas beat Clane in semi-final

Naas 1-8

Clane 0-9

Cometh the hour, cometh the man, and that phrase was rarely more appropriate than at Manguard Park, Hawkfield on Sunday when, county champions, chasing their third successive final appearance, and possibly their third title on the trot, turned to county man Darragh Kirwan, who had hardly kicked a ball since Kildare lost to Monaghan back in 24 June, as they sought to prize-open a defence that had held firm in the opening half of this season's second senior football championship semi-
final on Sunday, between Naas and Clane, last season's finalists.
And the big man delivered. And delivered big time.

A precious goal and two vital points — vital scores — in a tight, low-scoring and intriguing encounter.
And while this game may have lacked the high standard set the previous afternoon when Celbridge defeated Athy, it nevertheless was not short of drama, tension and closeness that went right down to the wire.

Naas got off to a quick-fire start when Eoghan Prizeman opened the scoring inside a minute despite the intervention of linesman, Niall Colgan, who, presumably felt the ball was wide but having consulted with his umpires, referee Kieran Harris was happy to let the score stand.

Three minutes later and Clane were level when Oisin O'Sullivan converted a mark in a game that saw defences very much on top which was more or less expected with both teams relying on turn-overs before using their pace, which we saw on numerous times.

A brilliant block by Naas full back, Sean Callan denied Alex Beirne who was put through following an excellent run down the right wing by Brian Byrne.

On eleven minutes a foul on Alex Beirne, who was looking very lively, saw Eamonn Callaghan fire over to make it 0-3 to 0-1.

It was that man Callan who was in the thick of things again, this time a quick-fire Naas attack saw the no. 3 make a brilliantly timed interception.

Clane reduced the lead when Sam McCormack found the range from a free close to the sideline but a few minutes later Naas replied with Dermot Hanafin hitting an excellent long rang effort. Sam McCormack replied with a free to reduce the deficit to a single point on 20 minutes.

Clane keeper, Cian Burke out as far as his own 45, was forced to 'halt' Eamonn Callaghan and while the custodian was shown a yellow, how it was not a black was astounding to the say the very least, as Kevin Cummins knocked over the resultant free.
Brian Byrne, who was enjoying a top class performance, picked out Dermot Hanafin with a brilliant kick pass and the big man split the posts.

Clane were looking a little shaky at this stage but a free, brought forward (twice) was knocked over by Brian McLoughlin.
Harry O'Neill dispossed Jack McKevitt as half-time approached but as Clane attacked McKevitt was back to block Oisin O'Sullivan's effort out for a sideline which nothing came of as the break arrived Naas leading by two 0-6 to 0-4.

The sight of Darragh Kirwan taking his place after the interval had the Naas fans on their feet but two early chances were spurned by an Eamonn Callaghan free (short) and a missed free by Luke Mullins.

A brilliant left footed effort from one of the Clane stars of the season, Sam McCormack, had the Clane supporters shouting their approval.

Naas again missed a chance to add to their lead as another free missed its intended target and minutes later we were all abord at 0-6 apiece when Brian McLoughlin converted a free.

The next score was now a vital one and when Darragh Kirwan gained possession around the middle, powered forward before converting brilliantly Naas had their noses in front by one.

Clane missed a chance to level before Kirwan missed from a tight angle but on 49 minutes gained possession, turned left and right before splitting the posts; Sam McCormack replied to make it a one point game once again.

On 55 minutes a brilliant move saw Eoghan Prizeman carry, pass to Conor McCarthy who found Kirwan to his right and he blasted to the back of Cian Burke's net to make it 1-8 to 0-7.

Adam Fanning hit a beauty to reduce the gap; Alex Beirne picked up a black before Brian McLoughlin, from a tight angle, cut the lead back to two on 60 minutes.

Tension was rising as Luke Mullins was caught off his line, Danny Egan took a quick free but Sean Hanafin was back covering and cleared.

Eoin Walsh made a brilliant block to deny Darragh Kirwan before a loose clearance saw Kirwan take one for the team when illegally halting a Clane attack and duly picked up a black.

Clane had a chance to reduce the deficit but Brian McLoughlin was wide of the post as the final whistle arrived, Naas booking a place in the final, but much credit to Clane who certainly gave it their all, coming up just short on the day.
Final score: Naas 1-8 Clane 0-9.

Scorers: Naas, Darragh Kirwan 1-2, Dermot Hanafin 0-2, Alex Beirne 0-1, Eamonn Callaghan 0-1 (free), Kevin Cummins 0-1, Eoghan Prizeman 0-1.

Clane, Sam McCormack 0-4 (3 frees), Brian McLoughlin 0-3 (3 frees), Oisin O'Sullivan 0-1 (mark), Adam Fanning 0-1.

NAAS: Luke Mullins; Cathal Daly, Brian Byrne, Mark Maguire; Paddy McDermott, Eoin Doyle, Eoghan Prizeman; Conor McCarthy, Sean Cullen; Alex Beirne, Eamonn Callaghan, Jack McKevitt; Kevin Cummins, Dermot Hanafin, Sean Hanafin. Subs: Darragh Kirwan for Sean Cullen (half-time); Neil Aherne for Eamonn Callaghan (45 minutes); Paul McDermott for Jack McKevitt (57 minutes); Brian Kane for Dermot Hanafin (59 minutes).

CLANE: Cian Burke; Cian Shanahan, Sean Callan, Harry O'Neill; Conor Walsh, Tadhg Montgomery, Hugh Prendergast; Robbie Philips, Sam McCormack; Cathal O'Brien, Shane O'Sullivan, Shane McCormack; Adam Fanning, Brian McLoughlin, Oisin O'Sullivan. Subs: Oisin Tighe for Cathal O'Brien (40 minutes); Cormac Vizzard for Oisin O'Sullivan (51 minutes); Eoin Walsh for Hugh Prendergast (59 minutes); Danny Egan for Sean Callan (59 minutes); Eoin Twohig for Shane O'Sullivan (61 minutes).

REFEREE: Kieran Harris.

MAIN MAN
DARRAGH KIRWAN
Missing throughout this campaign and emphasised that point when introduced at half-time, Brian Kirwan showed his pace, his power and his ability to find the target hitting 1-2 in an impressive second half display, that ended prematurely when picking up a black card for a deliberate pull down as Clane were attacking late on, following a silly miss-directed cross-field kick.

TURNING POINT
The decision to bring on Kirwan gave Naas that bit of extra edge in a tight game, the big man's magic did the trick for the county champions who were certainly under pressure from a Clane side that came up just short.

TALKING POINT
Not for the first time this season, the form of Naas was questioned as they have not, as yet, reached the peak we saw them reach over the past two seasons.

WHAT NOW?
Naas off to Carlow to take on Celbridge; while for Clane the season is over.