Naas SFC final preview - It's what it's all about, testing yourself against the best

And so for the third time in three years, Naas face up to Kilmacud Crokes in the AIL Leinster Club SFC.

Back in 2022 it was the Dublin based squad that came out on top by seven points — 0-14 to 0-7 — that was in the Leinster decider at Croke Park.

Last season, the sides met once again, this time in the quarter-final and while the result was the same, a win for Crokes, the score line suggested a much more comfortable victory, this time in Parnell Park with the final score reading Kilmacud Crokes 3-14 Naas 0-14.

This time around Kilmacud are looking to complete three provincial titles in a row, having completed their three-in-row domestic wins.

Crokes will be looking for their seventh Leinster total, joining their fellow Dublin side St Vincent's and Portlaoise on that impressive number of titles.

Naas, having completed their own three-in-a-row senior titles, and 11 in total, in the Shortgrass county, now aim to add a first ever Leinster Club title to their name.

And what an achievement that would be by this group of very talented players.

Just two weeks ago Naas had their backs to the wall when taking on Westmeath champions St Loman's in Mullingar, requiring extra time before eventually advancing by five, a somewhat comfortable five points in the end, with an impressive display in extra-time, winning in the end 1-15 to 1-10.

Naas hit a total of 1-3 in extra time while their opponents could only manage a solitary point

So, tight for long periods, behind until very late on equalising with a Luke Mullins 45 to force extra time and then pulling away impressively.

Kilmacud Crokes certainly looked to be on their way at the mid-way point in their semi-final, when leading by ten points at the break, albeit having the benefit of a very strong wind on their backs against Louth's Ardee St Mary's.

Maybe Crokes took their foot somewhat off the pedal; or in fairness to Ardee, they simply benefited from the elements in their favour and while they eventually lost out by five points, they got within three points of their illustrious opponents at one stage in the second half.

Main men on the day for Crokes, were Paul Mannion and Shane Walsh, who scored ten points between them.

For Naas Darragh Kirwan was undoubtedly their top man, top scorer and man-of-the-match with an impressive 1-7 out of his side's 1-15 total.

REAPING THE AWARDS

It may seem strange to say but Darragh seems to reaping the benefit of an enforced rest when out through injury from back in June to the semi-final of the Kildare SFC, when coming on and turning the tide big-time against Clane; going on to excel in the final against Celbridge; playing exceptionally well in the quarter and semi-final two weeks ago.

“I'm just delighted to be back playing, injury-free” he said, adding “it has been a hard few weeks through a combination of a hamstring and calf injurIES, probably on the back of a very long season, but look just really happy to be back and most importantly injury-free.”

So no doubt Kilmacud Crokes will be fully aware of his potential and will certainly have him marked out as a player that has to be held on the day.

The big man came off near the end of the Loman's semi-final but was quick to point out that it was “trivial.”

Looking back on that game the county man could hardly hide his delight at making it back to a Leinster final, remember he missed out back in 2021 through injury so this will be his first senior club decider.

“It's amazing to be even playing at this time of year, and with your own team mates, it is just brilliant.”

On a very heavy pitch in Mullingar with a strong wind blowing straight down the pitch, the Naas man admitted that the semi-final was a tough game, “just as we expected, especially in the conditions and credit to Loman's, they died with their boots on them.”

Naas played against the strong wind in the opening half but while they trailed by three at the break Kirwan admitted that they were happy at that stage.

“We were very content at half-time, just three down, but that is huge credit to our back six; we were confronted by a very strong forward group, probably the strongest we have faced all year but as I said our back six, and our players in the middle third, holding them to three points was impressive.”

As for the Leinster final Darragh said it really is something to look forward to. “Anytime you can bench mark yourself against the very best in the country is so exciting.”

And that is what Naas are now facing — the best club team in the country with players of the calibre of Paul Mannion, brilliant in the semi-final; Shane Walsh, well what can you about the Galway man; add in the experienced Rory O'Carroll; the returned Craig Dias; Shane Cunningham while full-back, Theo Clancy missed the semi-final through illness, this no. 3 is being hotly tipped to have a big, big future wearing the no 3 of Dublin.

One of the worries from a Naas point of view is the fitness of influential centre back, Eoin Doyle. The county man came off in the opening half of extra-time but hopefully it was nothing too serious. The experienced Brian Kane came on for Doyle and while Kane has not seen as much game time this year as he has been use to, he nevertheless showed his experienced, did the job that was asked of him giving the management a reminder, if it was needed, of his credentials.

Elsewhere, as Darragh Kirwan the Naas back six did very well; early on Mark Maguire looked in trouble having been given the task of taking care of All-Star nominee Ronan O'Toole and while he (O'Toole) enjoyed some fine moments in the opening half, young Maguire stuck to his task and had a really good second half and indeed extra-time.

The talent on the Naas bench was seen once again with Tom Browne, making a late appearance, but his pace and power certainly had Loman's on the back foot and his late point was crucial for the Naas cause.

Alex Beirne continues to play well, another player with a big future, as has Kevin Cummins, while having the experience of Eamonn Callaghan to introduce proved vital once again.

No doubt Kilmacud Crokes are going into this one as firm favourties and why shouldn't they be looking for three provincial titles in a row but once the players cross that white line; once the ball is throw-in reputations, wins, trophies, whether they be for local championships or provincial wins, all go out the window.

Every game stands alone.

Every game is a different challenge.

And every games is there to be won.

Naas face a tough challenge, no doubt, but that doesn't say they can't cause an upset.

Here's hoping!