Donnelly supreme as Naas retain IHC title, comfortably

UPMC Intermediate Hurling Championship final

Naas 1-18 

St Laurences 0-8

Naas made it back-to-back IHC champions with a fully deserved 13 point over a very game St Laurence's side in the decider played at a cold but dry Manguard Park, Hawkfield on Sunday afternoon.

It was all to play for at half-time, Naas led by four, but the writing was on the wall for The Larries as they had the aid of a very strong breeze in that period.

However, St Laurence's however, will be promoted to SHC B for 2025 as Naas are not eligible to go up as they already have a team in that grade.

The early stages of the opening half were hectic, some would say furious as The Larries threw everything at their opponents Naas and while it took all of ten minutes before the opening score of the game arrived there were some very tasty clashes in that time.

It was St Laurence's who finally opened the scoring when wing forward Corma Byrne from close range went for the goal but Naas keeper, Shane O'Connor was equal to the task pushing the sliother over the bar.

Naas, with centre back Diarmuid Greene, dominating his area, opened their account a minute later, corner forward John O'Malley, who had a fine opening thirty minutes, fired between the sticks; full forward John Madden, from a Mark Nevin pass, gave Naas the lead for the first time at mid-way mark.

Laurence's were hitting long balls down the middle from the puck-out but were finding it difficult against a dominant Naas half-back line.

Chris Dunne, a long delivery saw his effort fall short as Naas came again with two quick points, both from the stick of wing forward Conor Donnelly, the first a free, as Naas now led 0-4 to 0-1 with 18 minutes on the clock.

A foul on Ciaran Roche saw him convert the free himself.

John O'Malley replied for Naas.

Back came The Larries with a close-in free from Chris Dunne, not high enough, keeper Shane O'Connor got his stick to it, a second chance was blocked and cleared.

Naas added to points before the break from Ciaran Donnelly after a foul on Al Bergin and a second from John O'Malley, bur Ciaran Roche replied, that looked a bit dodgy, but was given as over as Naas led at the break 0-7 to 0-3.

On the restart St Laurence's came out with all guns blazing and within two minutes had the gap back to one with points from Cormac Byrne and Adrian Kelly.

John O'Malley was denied by a few defenders before The Larries tied the game up with a free from Ciaran Roche.
All to play for at this stage as Mark Nolan (Naas) and his fellow Larries midfielder James Donnelly picked up yellows.

A brilliant catch by John Madden who found Conor Donnelly, and the man-of-the-match made no mistake.

Naas more or less took over from here on in as The Larries began to face a little. Conor Donnelly added another before a brilliant Colm Coughlan stretched the lead; John Madden added another before the decisive score of the game arrived when a loose ball was picked up substitute James Bedford who ran straight through the middle, and with Conor Donnelly to his left he off-loaded and the no. 10 made no mistake filling the Larries net to make it 1-11 to 0-7.

James King did get a point for The Larries but there was no denying Naas who tacked on an impressive seven points to win on a final score line of Naas 1-18 St Laurence's 0-8.

Scorers: Naas, Conor Donnelly 1-9 (3 frees, 65), John O'Malley 0-3 (1 free), John Madden 0-2, Tom O'Donovan 0-1, Mark Nevin 0-1, Colm Coughlan 0-1, James Bedford 0-1,

St Laurence's, Ciaran Roche 0-3 (2 frees), Cormac Byrne 0-2, Adrian Kelly 0-1, James Donnelly 0-1, James King 0-1.

NAAS: Shane O'Connor; Daire Kellighan, Chris Horan, Conor Gormley; Shane Knott, Diarmuid Greene cpt, Brian Spillane; Tom O'Donovan, Mark Nevin; Conor Donnelly, Al Bergin, Colm Coughlan; Odhran Loughran, John Madden, John O'Malley. Subs: James Bedford for John O'Malley (39 minutes); Paul L'Estrange for Colm Coughlan (50 minutes); Cormac Geissel for Shane Knott (59 minutes); Tom Walsh for Odhran Loughran (60 minutes).

ST. LAURENCE'S: Michael Crowley; Richard Lillis, Conor Lawlor, Tom Brophy; Sean McMullen, Brendan Gorman, John Waters; Jack Dargan, James Donnelly; Cormac Byrne, Adrian Kelly, Brian Waters; Chris Dunne, James Fennin, Ciaran Roche cpt. Subs: James Fennin for Brian Waters (42 minutes); Liam Byrne for Adrian Kelly (50 minutes); James King for Jack Dargan (54 minutes): Patrick Whelan for Chris Dunne (53 minutes); Mark Whelan for Sean McMullen (59 minutes).

REFEREE: Matthew Redmond.