Kevin Cummins, and Naas, hit Celbridge hard and often

HANLON CONCRETE SFL DIVISIN 1 SEMI-FINAL

Naas 6-19

Celbridge 2-16

Eight goals and 35 points is some total, and for a football match, something special indeed as Naas booked their place in the Hanlon Concrete SFL Division 1 decider with a 6-19 to 2-16 win over Celbridge at Manguard Park, on Sunday afternoon.

It was a vintage display from Naas who were extremely impressive and while Celbridge hit a healthy 2-16, a score that would win most matches, nevertheless this was a bit of a hiding no matter what way one looks at it.

We had some outstanding displays in this one. Kevin Cummins, the young Naas corner forward put down a marker that he will be viewing for a permanent start on the Naas side when he totaled no less than 4-4 while on the other side Celbridge had in Aaron Browne an outstanding forward who ended up with a very impressive 2-9 to his name.

Leading 0-3 to 0-2 after eight minutes, Naas hit the first of their six majors on ten when Kevin Cummins after a Niall Aherne shot was saved by Senan Cuffe but Cummins was on hand to toe-poke the ball over the line.

Paddy Wall replied for Celbridge before Jack Rogers, Naas keeper, denied Sean Hayden with a great save.

A brilliant move involving Jack McKevitt and Paddy McDermott ended with Kevin Cummins firing over, quickly followed by McKevitt getting himself on the score sheet.

It was the half-back line of Naas that was so impressive throughout. The power, the pace and the handling of Jack McKevitt, Paddy McDermott and Tom Browne was just brilliant to watch as they poured forward at every opportunity.

Kevin Flynn and Aaron Browne cut the lead back to three before Ailin McDermott and a Paddy McDermott goal, set up by Eamonn Callaghan saw the county man fire low to the net to make it 2-6 to 0-5 after 23 minutes.

Aaron Browne and Davy Hughes combined before the latter was denied by Jack Rogers but referee Fergal Barry adjudged the keeper had foot blocked, awarded a penalty and Aaron Browne made no mistake.

Within a minute Naas had replied with goal number three; again Paddy McDermott heavily involved as was Brian Kane before Sean Hanafin palmed to the net.

Celbridge replied with points from Browne (2) and Ross Maycock but during that spell Naas added another goal, Cummins getting on the end of a high ball to find the net and when Eamonn Callaghan converted a free Naas led at the break 4-7 to 1-8.

Incredible stuff from the county champions.

Four quick points from Naas on the resumption, Browne replied before Kevin Cummins brought up hat-trick, Neil Aherne providing as Naas continued to dominate throughout the entire field.

Aaron Browne and brother Killian replied with points for Celbridge but Naas replied with points from the McDermott boys, Eamonn Callaghan and a white from Kevin Cummins to leave it 5-14 to 1-11 with 43 minutes gone.

The next four points were shared before Celbridge replied with three on the trot, however there was worse to come for the boys in red and black.

James Burke made a great catch, setting up Kevin Cummins who palmed to the net for his fourth and his side's sixth.

Con McCarthy, Eamonn Callaghan and fittingly, Kevin Cummins, ended the scoring for Naas.

Just at the death, Celbridge were awarded a penalty (they don't come any softer than this one) but up stepped Aaron Browne who made no mistake as the final whistle arrived Naas winning 6-19 to 2-16.

A very impressive display from the champions and while Celbridge were missing a few top players, Naas, on the other hand had some very notable absentees that really shows the incredible strength of depth they have in their squad.

Scorers: Naas, Kevin Cummins 4-4, Sean Hanafin 1-2, Eamonn Callaghan 0-5 (3 frees), Paddy McDermott 1-0, James Burke 0-2, Jack McKevitt 0-1, Brian Kane 0-1, Ailin McDermott 0-1, Conor McCarthy 0-1, Tom Browne 0-1, Paul McDermott 0-1.

Celbridge, Aaron Browne 2-9 (2 penalties, 5 frees), Paddy Wall 0-2, Kevin Flynn 0-1, Ross Maycock 0-1, Davy Hughes 0-1 (free), Killian Browne 0-1 (free), Ethan Sweeney 0-1.

NAAS: Jack Rogers; Cathal Daly, Conor McCarthy, Tim Ryan; Paddy McDermott, Jack McKevitt, Tom Browne; James Burke, Paul McDermott; Brian Kane, Eamonn Callaghan, Ailin McDermott; Kevin Cummins, Sean Hanafin, Neil Aherne. Subs: Paul Sullivan for Cathal Daly (16 minutes); Mark Maguire for Tim Ryan (41 minutes); Sean Cullen for Paul McDermott (42 minutes); Eoghan Prizeman for Tom Browne (51 minutes); Elliott Beirne for Ailin McDermott (51 minutes);

CELBRIDGE: Senan Cuff; John Clarke, Hugh McGrillen, Dean O'Donoghue; Niall Donnelly, Kevin Flynn Liam O'Flynn; Sean Hayden, Paddy Wall; Johnny Owens, Davy Hughes, Cormac O'Sullivan; Killian Browne, Sam Nolan, Aaron Browne. Subs: Sam Maycock for Sam Nolan (28 minutes); Ethan Sweeney for Cormac O'Sullivan (half-time); Sean Gleeson for Paddy Wall (47 minutes).

REFEREE: Fergal Barry.