Naas hit Celbridge with 12 goals in Kildare SHL semi-final
Naas will play Maynooth in the Division 1 final, they having defeated Leixlip by a single point this evening also
Naas showed their teeth this evening (Thursday 16 July) when annihilated Celbridge in the semi-final of Kildare Westgrove Hotel, SHL Division 1 semi-final, played at Naas in ideal conditions.
And while the score board read 9-24 to 0-12 at the final whistle, in fact the final score was no less than 12-24 to 0-12 as the digital score board in Naas does not allow for double-digit figures on the goal side.
They say the score board doesn’t lie, well in this case it did as the home side opened within 50 seconds with Sharlie Sheridan finding the Celbridge net followed by similar scores from Cathal Dowling and Sheridan again to leave it 3-1 to 0-1 after six minutes, the visitors' scorer being Johnny Owens.
Needless to say it just got worse for Celbridge as the game went on, Naas adding another four green flags to lead at the break 7-14 to 0-6.
County footballer, Darragh Kirwan started again at wing forward for Naas, and certainly did not look out of place, hitting an impressive 1-6.
The second half followed a similar pattern, with Naas completely on top adding another five goals. Celbridge in fairness battled on to the end with Gerry Keegan and Johnny Ownes being their main men.
But this was all about Naas; James Burke (1-1)making his first start after a prolonged injury, a great boost for the champions; Ross Kelly was back and while Jack Sheridan sat this on out giving a stitched finger a chance to heal, it was Naas all the way on a final score line of Naas 12-24 Celbridge 0-12.
Scorers: Naas, Charlie Sheridan 2-5 (1 free), Fionn Maher 2-4, Cathal Dowling 2-1, Darragh Kirwan 1-6, Brian Byrne 1-3 (1 free), Conan Boran 1-1, James Burke 1-1, Mick Purcell 1-1, Rian Boran 1-0, Tom Boran 0-1, Tom O’Donovan 0-1.
Celbridge, Gerry Keegan 0-6 (4 frees), Johnny Owens 0-4, Michael Owens 0-1, Finnán O Dulaing 0-1.
Naas will now meet Maynooth in the Division 1 final, they having defeated Leixlilp by a single point in the second semi-final, also this evening,. The final score in that one being Maynooth 1-28 Leixlip 1-27.
NAAS: Cormac Gallagher; Richy Hogan, Rian Boran, Ross Kelly; Harry Harroll, Daaire Guerin, Kevin Whelan; Conan Boran, Peter O’Donoghue; Darragh Kirwan, James Burke, Brian Byrne; Charlie Sheridan, Cathal Dowling, Fionn Maher. Subs: Michael Purcell for James Burke (half-time); Tom Boran for Darragh Kirwan (39 minutes); Tom O’Donovan for Daire Guerin (39 minutes); Rossa Stapleton for Charlie Sheridan (39 minutes); Darragh Mac Donncha for Cathal Dowling (46 minutes).
CELBRIDGE: Fiachra Ó Muineacháin; Jack O’Brien, Sean Mimnagh, Tadhg Halpin; Kieran Rubotham, Michael Owens, Conor O’Brien; Johnny Owens, Oisín Lynam; Niall Hynes, Gerry Keegan, Finnán Ó Dulaing; Ciaran Kirwan, James Dolan, Shuban Throppe. Subs: Tom Wright, David Daly, Rian Young, Cian Kelly.
REFEREE: Billy O’Connell.