MFC: Naas hit Raheens with late goals

Naas hit Raheens with three late goals to record an eleven point win in the opening round of the Manguard Plus MFC (Group A) at Tom Lawler Park, Rahens on Wednesday evening.

It was a close contest throughout and although Naas had a five point lead at the break Raheens battled back to be within 3 points of their neighbours with 15 minutes to play.

Naas finished strong with three of those 5 goals coming in a six minute spell between the 51st and 57th minutes that helped them run out 11 point winners in the end.

Aidan McGrane opened the scoring inside a minute but the Thompsons, Rory and Alan, added quick frees to push Raheens into a 4th minute lead.

Naas were moving the ball at pace and it took Raheens a few minutes to get to grips but in between Aidan McGrane with a free and a 2 pointer free from Robert Millgam had the visitors back two in front.

The Thompson boys kept the Raheens scoreboard ticking over with four points in as many minutes.Again the points came from frees,Rory with a single and a brilliant two-pointer either side of a single from Alan.

Mark Travers forced a great save from Adam Kane but the resulting 45 was well wide.The warning signs were there and a long run from Niall NcAndrew saw him play in Sean Og Cunnie for a deserving goal.

Thomas Walsh added a second goal after Alan Thompson pointed a 4th free.He made it five just before the break but Robert Millham had the last say as he sent Naas to a 2-7 to 0-6 half time lead.

Aidan McGrane from a free and Callum Cowzer with his first extended the Naas lead after the break.Raheens were now playing their best football and it was the Thompsons again who replied through Alan after Rory played him in.Raheens half forward Stephen Murphy then played in TJ Carr for a much needed goal.Alan Thompson added a quick free and suddenly the gap was two.

Rian Dunne then forced a great save from Naas keeper Colum Gibbons and it sparked the visitors into life over the closing nine minutes.Callum Cowzer added a third goal on 51 before seeing a second effort come back off a post.

Naas substitutes Kieran Loughran and Max Hyland goaled to push the lead out to 12 and right on the full time whistle Rory Thompson had time for a late free.Naas winning out on the 5-10 to 1-11 scoreline.

The three late Naas goals probably flattered them a bit as Raheens never deserved to be on an 11 point loss.

A lot of championship football to be played but on the evidence of this game both sides can expect to be around at the business end of the year.

Final score: Naas 5-10 Raheens 1-11.

Raheens: Aidan Kane, Rian Cramer Rory Cooke, Joseph Fitzpatrick, Billy O’Neill, Cathal Harris,Tj Carr 1-0,Eanna O Shaughnessy,Rian Curran,Stephen Murphy,Rory Thompson 0-7 (5f,2pf), Oisin McAfee, Alan Thompson 0-4 (3f), Stephen Hamill, Rian Dunne. Subs: Fionn Hamill for Joseph Fitzpatrick 37; Sean Harris for Rian Dunne 56

Naas: Colum Gibbons, Oliver Delhos, Colin Parker, Harry Feely, Aran Martin, Cillian Long, Niall McAndrew, Mark Travers,Ronan Lenehan,Oran Sherry 0-1,Robert Millham 0-3 (2pf), Aidan McGrane 0-4 (3f),Sean Og Cunnie 1-0,Callum Cowzer 1-1,Thomas Walsh 1-1. Subs: Sean Higgins for Mark Travers 37; Kieran Loughran 1-0 for Oran Sherry 48; Max Hyland 1-0 for Thomas Walsh 48; Robert Morrin for Oliver Delhos 58.

Referee Ken Doyle