Naas CBS turn on the style in second half to dismiss Patricians

Naas CBS 6-10

Patricians Newbridge 2-3

Few could have predicted the final result of this last sixteen clash between Naas CBS and Patrician Newbridge in the Leinster PPS 'A' Bro Bosco Cup clash at Manguard Park, Hawkfield on Wednesday afternoon last.

Playing with the aid of a very stiff breeze Naas CBS led by a mere point at the break 1-5 to 2-1 and it certainly looked on the cards that Naas long-running sequence of wins in this competition was certainly a big possibility.

Naas have been in the Leinster final of this competition for five of the last six seasons (no competition due to covid in 2020) and of those five finals they had one four, losing just one back in 2020, so this was a huge opportunity for Patrician to cause a major shock.

At the break the wind actually increased big time and was close to a gale as the action resumed and with rain threatening to arrive also it was expected that the champions were in for a very uncomfortable half hour of action.

It was the Newbridge boys who got off to the best possible as they found the Naas CBS net a mere five minutes after the action got under way on Pitch 2 at Hawkfield — a fine move ended with centre forward Eoghan Dunne finding the net at the dressing room end.

Naas opened their account when wing forward, Daniel Hamill but the champions were then with a big blow when AJ Jordan was sent for a ten minute 'rest' in the bin having picked up a black card.

A fine move involving Matthew Kelly, Liam Power, Kelly again ending with Evan Gilmartin finding the range and when Fergia Ó Domhnaill raised another white flag the sides were level at 1-o to 0-3 with 21 minutes on the clock.

The boys from the county town then got the goal the score they need when Daniel Hamill, with a lovely shimmy, ghosted past a few defenders before planting the ball in the back of the Newbridge net.

Harry Redmond converted a close-in free for Patricians and while Naas hit back with points from Ferdia Ó Domhnaill and Evan Gilmartin to open a four point lead, Patrician gave themselves a great opportunity of causing an upset when Harry Remdond met a centre into the danger area to volley home from close range to leave the half-time reading Naas CBS 1-5 Patrician Newbridge 2-1.

During the break the wind got up and was nearing a gale as the second half got under way.

Naas got a grip around the middle, carried the ball with purpose and put Newbridge under pressure with points from Niall Cramer, Liam O'Connor and Alex Lenehan to open an four point lead with 41 minutes on the clock.

It took Patrician all of13 minutes to register their first point of the second half, that coming from Adam Poole; two wides followed before Naas took complete control.

Goals from Dara Cook and AJ Jordan; a point from Jordan before goals from Daniel Hamill (his second), Evan Gilmartin saw the Cup holders pull clear.

Patrician's only reply was a pointed free from Harry Redmond as Naas CBS ran out winners on a final score line of Naas CBS 6-10 Patrician Newbridge 2-3.

Scorers: Naas CBS, David Hamill 2-1, Evan Gilmartin 1-2, AJ Jordan 1-1, Liam O'Connor 1-1, Dara Cook 1-0, Ferdia Ó Domhnaill 0-2, Alex Lenehan 0-1, Niall Cramer 0-1.

Naas CBS, Harry Redmond 1-2 (2 frees), Eoghan Dunne 1-0, Adam Poole 0-1.

NAAS CBS: Charlie Carroll; Niall Cramer, Brian Hoctor, Matthew Kelly; Jamie McGuirk, Cathal McCarthy, Rob Murray; Liam O'Connor, Dara Cook; Alex Lenehan, Jack Kelly, Daniel Hamill; Ferdia Ó Domhnaill, Evan Gilmartin, AJ Jordan. Subs: Owen Thompson for Alex Lenehan (50 minutes).

PATRICIAN NEWBRIDGE: Ronan Collins; Rian Beagan, Adam Joyce-Bowles, Cian Edmonds; Matthew Sherlock, Karl Heuston, Eoin Magee; Joe Dunne, Daithí Dowling; Dylan Dunne, Eoghan Dunne 1-0, Adam Poole 0-1; Tommy Rooney, Jack Butler, Harry Redmond 1-2. Subs: Alex Bell for Tommy Rooney (half-time).