Classy Naas too strong for Confey
The county champions ran out 3-16 to 0-5 winners
Naas 3-16
Confey 0-5
This Joe Mallon SFC, Round 1 Group A game got under way with referee Niall Colgan throwing-in, the ball gathered by dual-star James Burke. The big man took off straight through the middle, off-loading to Tom Browne who found the bottom hand corner of Colin Heeney left-hand post.
It was the ideal start for the county champions, chasing their fourth senior title in a row, alternatively not the start rank outsiders Confey needed.
Alex Beirne added a second point on five minutes as the boys in blue and white were in control all over the field.
Ciaran Lyons opened for Confey hitting an excellent long range point, straight and true.
Ryan Sinkey, with a lovely loopey run fired over before wing-back Eoghan Prizeman was on and when an Alex Beirne effort came off the upright after a fine save from Colin Heney, Prizeman collecting and fired over.
Playing with the aid of the strong breeze in the opening period, Conor Jennings got Confey's second of the afternoon but Naas continued to dominate with points from Alex Beirne and Tom Browne linking up impressively with Alex Beirne, the no. 11 firing over to make it 1-6 to 0-2 with 11 minutes on the clock.
Ian Devane went very low to make an excellent mark, the no. 28, in for the injured James Gately, fired over.
Naas were not finished just yet and before the break raised two more white flags from the boots of Paddy McDermott and an Alex Beirne free to leave the half-time score reading Naas 1-8 Confey 0-3.
A couple of early points from Alex Beirne maintained the Naas dominance and while Imad Mirza got one back for Confey there was just no stopping the champions.
James Burke, Alex Beirne (free) pointed before a brilliant ball over the top from substitute Darragh Kirwan into Alex Beirne, who unselfishly passed over to James Burke who palmed to the net to make it 2-12 to 0-4.
Luke Mullins converted a 45 before Naas created two more clear goal chances but Fintan Quinn hit over an empty goal and Alex Beirne saw his effort fly over.
However goal no. 3 arrived before the long whistle with James Burke fetching a high ball, turning and hitting low to the net and while Ciaran Lyons did get a late point for Confey it was Naas at their ease winning 3-16 to 0-5.
Scorers: Naas, James Burke 2-1, Tom Browne 1-2, Alex Beirne 0-7 (3 frees), Paddy McDermott 0-2, Ryan Sinkey 0-1, Eoghan Prizeman 0-1, Fintan Quinn 0-1, Luke Mullins 0-1 (45).
Confey, Ciaran Lyons 0-2, Ian Devane 0-1 (mark), Cathal Jennings 0-1, Imad Mirza 0-1.
NAAS: Luke Mullins; Elliot Beirne, Conor McCarthy, Rob Fitzgerald; Brian Byrne, Eoin Doyle, Eoghan Prizeman; Paddy McDermott, Ryan Sinkey; Alex Beirne, Tom Browne, Kevin Cummins; Dermot Hanafin, James Burke, Neil Aherne. Subs: Tim Ryan for Elliot Beirne (40 minutes); Darragh Kirwan for Neil Aherne (43 minutes); Fintan Quinn for Dermot Hanafin (50 minutes); Daniel Lenehan for Neil Aherne (50 minutes); Brian Kane for Tom Browne (54 minutes).
CONFEY: Colin Heeney; Andrew Breslin, Colm Chan, Conor Dennehy; Brian Grimes, Ciaran Lyons Imad Mirza; Paul Divilly, Kieran Kilbane; Conor Jennings, Cathal Jennings, Aidan Crean; Niall Carney, Ian Devane, Ben Hourihane. Subs: Robin Breslin for Ian Devane (51 minutes); Oisin Lynch for Ben Hourihane (51 minutes); Aidan Ryan for Aidan Crean (55 minutes).
REFEREE: Niall Colgan.