Maynooth dump out Naas in massive SFC shock

Incredible scenes at Cedral St Conleth’s Park, Newbridge, this afternoon after Maynooth caused the shock of all shocks dumping hot favourites Naas out of this season’s Joe Mallon SFC with a two-point win after extra time.

The scenes after the game were akin to a county final but that’s not for another fortnight but Ross Glavin’s side will fear no one after this.

The opening half was dominated by Naas but they still led by only by four points at the break, after hitting five ball short plus three wides.

Considering the amount of possession that had Maynooth did not do too bad and while they had just two on the board were still well in touch at the break.

Young Euan Cowzer was the main scorer for the boys in blue with three points, while Dermot Hanafin, Kevin Cummins and Paul McDermott were the other scorers.

Maynooth opened with the first score of the game, a free from Paddy Mahoney while Sean Hever got their second point in the 21 minute as Naas led at the break 0-6 to 0-2.

Maynooth came out with all guns blazing and by the 36 minutes had leveled, going on to take the lead by one in the 48 minutes.

Naas responded and leveled it up before going two clear, however Maynooth hit back with a brilliant two-pointer from Paddy Mahoney. Maynooth had two chances to win but both went narrowly wide and so it ended at 0-10 apiece and two periods of extra time.

Alex Beirne edged Naas ahead at the start of extra time but Maynooth hit back with Cathal McCabe bursting the Naas net, Matthew Diamond extended the lead while Neil Flynn added a free and while Neil Ahene got one back, Maynooth led at the break 1-12 to 0-12.

Naas reduced the deficit to one on 73 but Niall O’Sullivan pointed for Maynooth, Flynn added a point while Kevin Donovan extended the lead out to four, a late two-pointer from Alex Beirne was not enough as the final whistle arrived Maynooth winning 1-15 to 0-16 in the biggest upset for many a year in the Kildare SFC.

Scorers, Maynooth: Paddy Mahoney 0-4 (1 two-pointer, 1 free), Cathal McCabe 1-1, Neil Flynn 0-2 (2 frees), Sean Hever 0-2 Liam McDermott 0-2, Matthew Diamond 0-2 (1 free), Paddy Ryan 0-1, Niall O’Sullivan 0-1, Kevin Donovan 0-1.

Naas: Paul McDermott 0-3, Euan Cowzer 0-3, Alex Beirne 0-3 (1 two-pointer), Neil Aherne 0-3, Kevin Cummins 0-1, Dermot Hanafin 0-1, Ryan Sinkey 0-1, Sean Hanafin 0-1.

NAAS: Luke Mullins; Mark Maguire, Brian Byrne, Jack McKevitt; Rob Murray, Cathal Daly, Paddy McDermott; Paul McDermott, James Burke; Dermot Hanafin, Sean Hanafin, Kevin Cummins; Euan Cowzer, Alex Beirne, Ryan Sinkey. Subs: Liam O’Connor for Kevin Cummins (half-time); Fintan Quinn for Ciaran Doyle (37 minutes); Neil Ahern for Dermot Hanafin (46 minutes); Brian Stynes for Rob Murray (54 minutes);Sean Hanafin for James Burke (59 minutes); Eoin Doyle for Cathal Daly (76 minutes); .

MAYNOOTH: Mark Donnellan; Cathal Quinn, Alex Tilly, Sean Mahon; Conor O’Grady, Niall O'Sullivan, Callum McCabe; Ciarán Flanagan, Matthew Diamond; Paul Maguire, Sean Hever, Fionn Ó Giollláin, Paddy Maloney, Liam McDonald, Kevin Donovan. Subs: Paul Maguire for Paul O’Dea (22 minutes); Kevin Donovan for Paddy Ryan (46 minutes); Niall Cullen for Conor O’Grady (57 minutes); Niall Flynn for Conor Donovan (start of et); Kevin Donovan for Cathal McCabe (77 minutes); Cillian Geraghty for Paul Maguire (79 minutes); Sean Higgins for Paddy Mahoney (79 minutes).

REFEREE: Niall Colgan.