Prizeman goal ignites Naas as champs pull clear of Sarsfields

Joe Mallon Motors SFC

Naas 2-10

Sarsfields 0-10

As we approached half-time in this massive Joe Mallon Motors SFC clash between champions Naas and title challengers Sarsfields, it was the Newbridge who were playing the better of the two and although leading by just a point they were putting it up to the boys in blue big time at that stage.

Alex Beirne was in possession for Naas and a long ball in was gathered by Sean Hanafin, surrounded by a number of defenders the big man headed to the goal, the ball broke and there was Eoghan Prizeman on hand to toe-poked the ball over the line.

Protests by Sarsfields went unheeded, the goal stood and have no doubt that was the turning point of the game as the long whistle soon arrived with Naas heading to the dressingroom leading by one, 1-6 to 0-7, more than happy to be in that position while Sarsfields it was a bitter blow having played some very good football taking the game to the champions impressively at times but now found themselves in arrears.

It was that man Alex Beirne who opened the scoring after three minutes before Collum Bolton, who began this game tormenting the Naas defence, leveled up.

A foul on Shea Ryan saw Ray Cahill fire over the resultant free but on eight minutes the sides were level with James Burke hitting a lovely left-footed point to level at 0-2 apiece.

Kieran Dwyer and Eoin Prizeman clashed which necessitated the Kerry man requiring treatment but resumed action moments later.

Cian Byrne got forward, again, kicked an excellent ball to Callum Bolton who duly converted his mark and when Ray Cahill added a point from open play The Sash led by two 0-4 to 0-2 as we reached the mid-way point.

Sarsfields were doing well around the middle winning a fair bit of ball but Naas were lethal on the break and such a move saw Neil Aherne reduce the gap to one.

Collum Bolton restored the two point lead before Kieran Dwyer denied James Burke with a full-hearted block.

Paddy McDermott used his brilliant pace to get forward, found Jack McKevitt who punched over.

A Ray Cahill free was replied to by a Kevin Cummins point but Ben McCormack left two in it again with a brilliant point.

Paddy McDermott was again to the fore putting Neil Aherne in but his effort went over leaving one in with that vital Prizeman to follow.

Four minutes in and Naas had the ball in the net again, another blistering move saw Alex Beirne finish with aplomb and a minute later The Sash were hit with another blow when David Higgins was shown a black card for a foul on Kevin Cummins.

Alan Smith rolled back the years with a brilliant point but Eamonn Callaghan replied with a pointed free and when Mark Maguire got forward and split the posts there were now six points in it.

Ray Cahill converted a free but a few wides did nothing for The Sash cause. James Burke should have found the net but his weak effort was pushed out for a 45, which Luke Mullins converted.

Tempers were hotting up somewhat, Kieran Dwyer reduced the lead with a point; Ben McCormick was black carded before Neil Aherne got the final point of the game.

A massive win for Naas and a big blow for Sarsfields who now must win their last game against Maynooth to progress while Naas are the first team through to the quarter-final.

Scorers: Naas, Alex Beirne 1-1, Eoghan Prizeman 1-0, Neil Aherne 0-3, James Burke 0-1, Jack McKevitt 0-1, Mark Maguire 0-1, Eamonn Callaghan 0-1 (free), Kevin Cummins 0-1, Luke Mullins 45.

Sarsfields, Ray Cahill 0-4 (2 frees), Callum Bolton 0-3 (1 mark), Kieran Dwyer 0-1, Ben McCormack 0-1, Alan Smith 0-1.

NAAS: Luke Mullins; Cathal Daly, Brian Byrne, Mark Maguire; Paddy McDermott, Eoin Doyle, Eoghan Prizeman; Conor McCarthy, James Burke; Alex Beirne, Eamonn Callaghan, Jack McKevitt; Kevin Cummins, Dermot Hanafin, Sean Hanafin. Subs: Dermot Hanafin for Eamonn Callaghan (53 minutes); Brian Kane for Neil Aherne (63 minutes).

SARSFIELDS: Marc Courtney-

Byrne; Ethan Mountaine, Sean Campbell, Cian Byrne; Shea Ryan, David Higgins, Kieran Dwyer; Tadhg Hoey, David Shalvey; Con Kavanagh, Ben McCormack, Colm Hartnett; Alan Smith, Ray Cahill, Callum Bolton. Subs: Karl Hartley for Cian Byrne (half-time); Conor Hartley for Ethan Mountaine (bs 46-0); Dan Nea for Ray Cahill (46 minutes); Jake Loakman for Con Kavanagh (55 minutes); Mattie Byrne for David Shalvey (55 minutes).

REFEREE: Colm Kearney.