Naas show their teeth in last quarter to advance in Leinster Championships

Naas 2-12

Summerhill 0-8

One could argue that the ten point winning margin somewhat flattered Kildare three-in-a-row champions, Naas, as they booked a place in the semi-final of the AIB Leinster Club SFC in Hawkfield Park on Saturday dismissing Meath champs Summerhill on the day.

However it matters little at what stage the opposition is put to bed and while Naas turned the screw in the last quarter of this game, all through it was the 'home' side who led the way, an early goal set them up, in a game they never trailed and while Summerhill got within two points of them in the second half, it was then that the boys from the county town really showed their class, upped their game and won in the end with relative ease.

A great attendance at Manguard Park, on a cold but dry afternoon, the sun even made an appearance and while the sod was somewhat soft overall, all things considered weather-wise, was as good as you could expect at this time of year and considering all the rain we have endured in recent times.

Naas came out of the traps impressively, decisively and rocked their opponents with a couple of body blows they never really recovered from.

Within 30 seconds wing forward Jack McKevitt split the posts with a brilliant effort from the left wing heading into the Milltown end. Darragh Kirwan converted a free and Naas were well and truely up and running.
Before Summerhill could get their second wind the Meath champions were hit where it really hurts.

A long ball in by Alex Beirne was brilliantly knocked down by big Dermot Hanafin to the brother Sean and the man wearing 30 on his back made no mistake from close range ot make it 1-2 to no score after some seven minutes.

It took Summerhill eight minutes to get their side of the score board moving when ace free-taker Eoghan Frayne found the range with a free.

A lovely left footed effort from Darragh Kirwan increased the lead as Naas looked well in control.
A couple of wides, from play and frees, did nothing for the Summerhill confidence, or indeed their scoring tally, as Jack McKevitt was shown an early yellow for a high challenge..

One worrying aspect of the game from a Naas point of view was their kick-out was not finding it's intended target and with the opposition pushing up it was a problem that lasted throughout most of the game.

Cathal Daly picked up a yellow, Eoghan Frayne converted the resultant free before a lovely move saw James Burke on the end of it and he split the posts to make it 1-4 to 0-2 on 21 minutes.

Eoghan Prizeman failed to gain control of the ball, fouled his man but a poor free was short as Summerhill at this stage hit wide number eight. A lot of those efforts could only be described as 'holy water' efforts, with some very poor shot selection, both from open play and indeed from frees.

Conor Frayne reduced the lead before Alex Beirne soloed down the wing cutting inside and punching over.
Naas picked up their third yellow of the afternoon, this time Darragh Kirwan for a high challenge before the half-time whistle arrived Naas leading 1-5 to 0-3 but in fairness that lead could, and should have been a lot bigger.

If Summerhill were to get into this game with any chance they needed a decent start and this they got when Eoghan Frayne again found the range after Diarmuid McCabe had been pulled back.

Paddy McDermott made one of his trade mark runs, set up Alex Beirne who raised another white for Naas.

Back came Summerhill, now enjoying their best period of the game, gaining a foothold around the middle, the Naas kick-out continuing to cause Joe Murphy side some bother, the visitors added two points from Eoghan Frayne to cut the deficit to three on 42 minutes.

A big twist looked on the cards when Darragh Kirwan made a somewhat half-hearted tackle on Eoghan Frayne, already on a yellow, the referee looked at his book put it away, awarded Frayne a free which he put over and there was certainly relief for Naas, and while it would have certainly have been a very severe sending-off, we have seen it given.

Kirwan hit a poor wide, Barry Davis had the Summerhill fans on their feet as he reduced the Naas lead to two on 49 minutes.
Naas, however, responded, quickly, decisively and effectively with Darragh Kirwan running at the defence showing his pace and power before punching over and a minute later the game was all but done and dusted.

A move involving Paddy McDermott, Darragh Kirwan and Eoghan Prizeman ended with the Naas wing back blasting to the back of Sean Muddiman's net to make it 2-8 to 0-8, 52 on the clock.
James Burke combined with Kirwan and Beirne, the latter deciding to take his point rather than go for the net.

The referee ignored penalty claims after Darragh Kirwan looked to be fouled; Eamonn Callaghan, on for Dermot Hanafin, converted an acute free; Kevin Cummins, with his first kick, converted another free while the last score, a long range free from

Luke Mullins ended the scoring in impressive fashion, Naas winning 2-12 to 0-8 to advance to last four and a meeting with St Loman's.

MAIN MAN
Alex Beirne
The Naas defence, as a unit, was solid throughout with Summerhill creating no real goal opportunities. Not for the first time Naas put on a team performance with all players putting in decent displays; Alex Beirne though was involved in a lot of the play, was involved in many a scores and added three points from his own boot, and it could have been more when he elected to punch over rather go for goal in one move.

TURNING POINT
Some might say when the referee seemed to change his made and not give Darragh Kirwan a second yellow was a big moment, but overall Naas were the stronger outfit, the opening goal settled them, and the second goal put the final nail in the Summerhill challenge who, in fairness, missed influential full back Ronan Ryan.

TALKING POINT
The calmness of Naas who used their experience to great effect; they seem to be playing well within their selves; need to get kick-out sorted and take a few more scores.

WHAT NOW?
Leinster semi-final for Naas in two weeks against St Loman's in Mullingar.

SCORERS
Naas: Sean Hanafin 1-0, Eoghan Prizeman 1-0, Darragh Kirwan 0-3 (1 free), Alex Beirne 0-3, Eamonn Callaghan 0-2 (2 free), James Burke 0-1, Jack McKevitt 0-1, Luke Mullins 0-1, Kevin Cummins 0-1 (free).

Summerhill: Eoghan Frayne 0-6 (5 frees), Conor Frayne 0-1, Barry Dardis 0-1.

TEAMS
Naas: Luke Mullins; Cathal Daly, Brian Byrne, Mark Maguire; Paddy McDermott, Eoin Doyle cpt., Eoghan Prizeman; Paul McDermott, James Burke; Alex Beirne, Sean Hanafin, Jack McKevitt; Darragh Kirwan, Dermot Hanafin, Conor McCarthy. Subs: Eamonn Callaghan for Dermot Hanafin (42 minutes); Tom Browne for Darragh McKevitt (42 minute); Neil Aherne for Paul McDermott (54 minutes); Kevin Cummins for Darragh Kirwan (59 minutes).

Summerhill: Sean Muddiman; Iarla Hughes, Padraig Jennings, John Lavelle; Adam McDonnell, Ross Ryan, Padraig Geraghty cpt.; Adam Flanagan, Michael Byrne; David Larkin, Eoghan Frayne, Diarmuid McCabe; Conor Lyons, Conor Frayne, Barry Dardis. Subs: Kevin Ryan for Conor Lyons (41 minutes); David Dalton for Conor Frayne (54 minutes); Jamie O'Shea for Adam McDonnell (57 minutes); Ben Moran for Padraig Jennings (60 minutes).

REFEREE: Alan Coyne, Westmeath.