Naas overwhelmed by Omagh CBS in Hogan Cup semi-final

Naas CBS bid for back-to-back Hogan Cup schools titles ended on Saturday in Clones as Omagh CBS controlled this PPS All-Ireland semi-final from start to finish with a very impressive display as they set up a final date with Summerhill of Sligo who defeated St Brendan's of Killarney in the other semi-final.

With just a couple of players from last season's winning side it was always going to be a tough ask of the Leinster champions and it didn't take long before we realised the extent of the challenge of the northern boys who dominated from the throw-in retaining possession for long periods as Naas struggled to get any kind of a foothold in the contest.

Within seven minutes Omagh had three points on the board from the impressive Ruairi McCullagh (2) and equally impressive Conor Owens.

Naas first attack saw Carl Lennox's effort come off the upright and it was not until the 11 minute before they raised, their first, and only, white flag of the opening half when Lennox converted a free to make it 0-3 to 0-1.

McCullagh added a point before a fine run from Daniel Hamill saw the Raheens man cut deep into the Omagh defence, a rare occurrence in this game, but his pass inside was over-cooked and the chance disappeared.

Omagh completely dominated as the Naas CBS were instructed time and time again to “push-up” but to no avail.

An excellent move involving Liam Óg Mossey, Caolan Donnelly ended with Ruairi McCullagh finding the Naas CBS net.

Goal number two arrived on27 minutes this time Liam Óg Mossey the finisher as Omagh turned the screw tighter and tighter and by half -time had amassed a total of no less than 2-10, with Naas CBS with that just solitary point.

While the northern boys had the benefit of a stiffish breeze in that opening half, few could Naas CBS making a game of it on the resumption such was the dominance of the opposition.

And within six minutes of the resumption, any chance, and it was a very slim chance to be fair, Naas CBS had of making game of it vanished in the Clones sunshine when Conor Owens and Caolan Donnelly added two goals to make it 4-10 to 0-1 with just 36 minutes on the clock.

Dual star, Cian Boran, got Naas second point of the game and Ryan Sinkey got the first of his three second half points, all from play, but there was no coming back against this extremely well-drilled Tyrone side who won the Hogan Cup on their only appearance in the final back in 2007 and if this display is anything to go on they will go into the 2023 decider full of confidence and warm favourites to make it two wins in two finals.

Naas CBS ended with just eight points but even that should not take away from what has been another very successful season winning the Bro Bosco Cup for the fourth time in five years.

Final score: Omagh CBS 4-14 Naas CBS 0-8.

l Apart from a top class and impressive performance much credit much go to the supporters of Omagh CBS who conducted themselves in exemplary fashion, supporting their team the way teams should be supported. There are many other schools at this level that could learn a lot from what we witnessed at St Tiernach's Park, Clones, on Saturday in this regard.

Scorers: Omagh CBS, Ruairí McCullagh 1-3 Conor Owens 1-3 (1 free), Liam Óg Mossey 1-1, Caolan Donnelly 1-0, Charlie Donnelly 0-2, Tomás Haigney 0-1, Eoin McElholm 0-2, Lorcan McCullagh 0-1, Niall McCarney 0-1.

Naas CBS, Ryan Sinkey 0-3, Carl Lennox 0-3 (3 frees), Tom Kelly 0-1, Cian Boran 0-1.

OMAGH CBS: Conor McAneney; Nathan Farry, Barry McMenamin, Sean Kerr; Caolan Donnelly, Callum Daly, Tomás Haigney; Eoin Donaghy, Charlie Donnelly; Cormac Watson, Eoin McElholm cpt, Lorcan McCullagh; Ruairi McCullagh, Conor Owens, Liam Óg Mossey. Subs: Daithi McCallan for Charlie Donnelly (38 minutes); Caolan O'Hagan for Conor Owens (42 minutes); Niall McCarney for Cormac Watson (49 minutes); Cian McConnell for Eoin Donaghy (49 minutes); Brian Gallagher for Caolan Donnelly (52 minutes).

NAAS CBS: Fintan Quinn (Naas); Niall Cramer (Raheens), Charlie Murphy jt cpt (Naas), Cian Boran (Eadestown); Daniel Hamill (Raheens), Eoin Lawlor (Naas), Evan O'Briain (Naas); Austin Brennan, jt cpt (Blessington), Tom Kelly (Naas); Fionn McCarthy (Raheens), Carl Lennox (Kill), Daire Gilmartin (Raheens); Stephen Kelly (Sallins), Callum Barrett (Ballymore Eustace); Ryan Sinkey (Naas). Subs: Cian O'Reilly (Raheens) for Fionn McCarthy (28 minutes); Jamie McGuirk (Naas) for Daniel Hamill (38 minutes); Finn Ryan (Kill) for Daire Gilmartin (38 minutes); Evan Gilmartin (Raheens) for Callum Barrett (49 minutes); Adam Maguire for Evan O'Briain (49 minutes).

REFEREE: Maggie Farrelly, Monaghan.