Naas rarely troubled by Clane in Senior League semi-final

Naas 2-12

Clane 1-8

Naas booked their expected place in the Hanlon Concrete SFL Division 1 final with a comfortable win over a disappointing Clane side at Manguard Park on Saturday afternoon.

It was a game that lacked any real intensity, littered with some very poor handling, shot selection, on both sides. However the with result was never really in doubt from an early stage.

Conditions were poor it has to be said, a swirling wind helped no one on a day more like one borrowed from late October rather than one day away from the start of July.

Clane opened proceedings with Sam McCormack pointing a free; Alex Beirne replied with a point from play while the boys in white regained the lead through another Sam McCormack placed ball.

Neil Aherne leveled up and while Daragh Kirwan edged Naas ahead by one within a minute the sides were level again, this time Adam Fitzpatrick splitting the posts.

The decisive score of the opening half arrived on 14 when a loose ball saw Alex Beirne quickest to react, the county man taking control of the ball before blasting to the back of the net to make it 1-3 to 0-3.

Sam McCormack replied for the boys in white, added another before Naas kicked on again with points from Darragh Kirwan (two) one free, and Elliot Beirne.

Cathal Daly was seen to good effect for the champions, clearing a dangerous Clane attack as the half-time whistle arrived, Naas leading 1-6 to 0-5.

Shane McCormack reduced the half-time lead back to three on 33 minutes as the rain made another appearance.
Darragh Kirwan restored the four point gap before Naas struck for goal no. 2.

This time it was the Naas centre-half back, Brian Byrne, who had an excellent game, gained possession, moved forward as the Clane defence back-off before Byrne put a lovely pass over the top where Paul McDermott moved into the space before coolly finishing to the Clane net to make it 2-8 to 0-6, 38 minutes on the clock.

Neil Aherne extended the lead; Sam McCormack replied with a free.

Naas hit a couple of poor wides before Darragh Kirwan made it 2-9 to 0-7 on 48 minutes and converted a free a few minutes later to extend the lead.

The game was interrupted when a friendly dog entered the playing area, most probably to add a bit of much needed excitement to the proceedings.

Clane's Danny Egan took on the responsibility, lifted the 'intruder' and banished him outside the railings. However it was not the only time we saw the canine on the day as he re-appeared on a couple of more occasions.

Back to the business of the day and Clane reduced the gap, initially with an Adam Fitzpatrick point, soon to be followed by goal after a pass was intercepted by James Behan who started a move that involved Sam McCormack and Brian McLoughlin with the latter firing low to the net with an excellent finish to make it 2-10 to 1-8.

Naas, however, kicked on adding two points from Alex Beirne, the first a 45 and the second from open play.

The final whistle arrived Naas advancing to the decider after a display that was far from vintage on a final score line of Naas 2-12 Clane 1-8. No doubt much more to come from the boys from the county town.

Game at a Glance

MAIN MAN
BRIAN BYRNE
There were a few in contention for this accolade, all it has to be said coming from the winning team. Darragh Kirwan, was once again the main scoring threat and while the big man has played better games, nevertheless his influence was palpable. Alex Beirne got through a fair amount of work and can be more than pleased with his contribution. However it was centre-half-back Brian Byrne who caught the eye for this writer. His positional play was top class; cool in possession, he carried the ball forward with purpose and set up his side's second goal after soloing some 60m before putting Paul McDermott through who made no mistake.

TURNING POINT
Probably the opening goal from in the 14 minute when Alex Beirne reacted quickest and made no mistake from close range.

TALKING POINT
The overall poor quality of the game.

WHAT NOW?
Naas advance to the final and meet Sarsfields.

Scorers: Naas, Daragh Kirwan 0-6 (2 frees), Alex Beirne 0-3, Paul McDermott 1-0, Alex Beirne 0-2, Elliot Beirne 0-1.

Clane, Sam McCormack 0-5 (4 frees), Brian McLoughlin 1-0, Adam Fitzpatrick 0-2, Shane McCormack 0-1.

NAAS: Luke Mullins; Cathal Daly, Eoin Doyle, Tim Ryan; Elliot Beirne, Brian Byrne, Paddy McDermott; Alex Beirne, Paul McDermott; Kevin Cummins, Sean Cullen, Brian Kane; Neil Ahern, Dermot Hanafin, Darragh Kirwan. Subs: Ryan Sinkey for Sean Cullen (27 minutes); Rob Fitzgerald for Tim Ryan (half-time); Fintan Quinn for Neil Aherne (48 minutes); Eoghan Prizeman for Elliot Beirne (48 minutes): Brian Stynes for Brian Kane (49 minutes).

CLANE: Cian Burke; Conor Walsh, Stephen Brereton, Jake Devey; Hugh Prendergast, Sam Reilly, Eoin Walsh; Shane McCormack, Brian McLoughlin; Rhys Vaughan, Adam Fitzpatrick, Sean Tighe; Danny Egan, Shane O'Sullivan, Same McCormack. Subs: John Lynch for Sean Tighe (42 minutes); James Behan for Rhys Vaughan (48 minutes); Eoin Twohig for Shane McCormack (58 minutes); Chris Byrne for Danny Egan (59 minutes).

REFEREE: Ken Doyle.