Broadford miss out on great opportunity to get better of Naas in SHC 'B'

UPMC Senior B Hurling Championship, Round 2

Naas 2-14

Broadford 1-15

Broadford were left to rue what might have been as they spurned late goal chances and hit eleven wides in their quest for a second win in the competition.

Naas however did enough to made it two wins in a row in Round 2 of the UPMC Senior B hurling championship but they were made to battle all the way.

Broadford were up and running after three minutes when Josh O'Donoghue hit the first of his six points. Caelum Flanagan quickly doubled the lead with a fine fifty metre effort.

The same two players added their second points before the 10th minute to lead by 0-4 to 0-1 after Ciaran Tobin opened the Naas account on five.

Sean Murphy added two quick points 11 and 12 minutes to reduce the gap.

As we past the end of the opening quarter Eoin Sheehan from a 65 and Eoin O'Hehir from a free kept the gap at the minimum.Naas were starting to gain control and they outscored Broadford by four points to one as we reached the 28th minute.

Ciaran Tobin, Seamus Kelleher, Daire Guerin and Enda O'Neill all finding the range.Conor Flynn did hit a beauty but Naas were in front for the first time.

Enda O'Neill with the help of the post got the all important goal for Naas and an Eoin O Hehir free left the county town men 1-9 to 0-5 ahead at the break.

Sean O'Haire and Josh O'Donoghue reduced the gap within two minutes of the restart.

O'Donoghue then added two frees either side of Sean Murphy's third point for Nass.The gap was back to two. Despite been short some regulars last years beaten finalists Naas showed great composure over the next ten minutes.Sean Burke set up

Seamus Kelleher for a second half and quick points from Eoin O Hehir and Cj Boran quickly opened a seven point gap.

Broadford, last years junior champions,showed their worth over the closing quarter Eoin Sheehan with three and Dean Hanley helping to close the gap.

Caelum Flanagan then hit a goal as we moved into injury time.Cj Boran and Ciaran Tobin kept the lead intact for Naas but a last minute free from Dean Hanley broke to Sean McKeon but his first time effort flew wide of the post.

Naas held on for a 2-14 to 1-15 victory in what was a hugely entertaining encounter. Both these sides should be involved in the knockout stages.

NAAS: Rob Byrne; Evan O'Briain, Donal McSweeney, David Delahunty; Fionnan Delaney, Kevin Kelleher, Sean Murphy 0-3; Eoin O Hehir 0-3 (3 frees), Al Bergin; Ciaran Tobin 0-3, Sean Burke, Seamus Kelleher 1-1; CJ Boran 0-2, Daire Guerin 0-1, Enda O Neill 1-1.

BROADFORD : Thomas Reilly; Jamie Boyle, Shane Flanagan, Ultan McIntyre; Conor Flynn 0-1, Killian Galligan, Eoin Sheehan 0-4 (1 free, two 65); Caelum Flanagan 1-2, Aedan Boyle; Dean Hanley 0-1, Gavin Scanlon, Josh O Donoghue 0-6 (3 frees); Sean O'Haire 0-1, Elian Scanlon, Aaron Smyth. Subs: Sean McKeon for Aaron Smyth 38.

REFEREE: Paul Donnelly.

The third game in the UPMC Senior Hurling 'B' Championship scheduled for the weekend, saw Celbridge give Kilcock a walkover.