Preview: Naas CBS in bid to reach final of the prestigious Hogan Cup decider

Naas CBS, the most successful Kildare school when it comes to Leinster PPS football bid to add a second All-Ireland title to their five Leinster titles this weekend when they travel to Bansha, Tipperary on Saturday (2pm) to take on Munster champions Mercy Mounthawk of Tralee with a place in the Hogan Cup final up for grabs.

Naas CBS won their first, and only, Hogan Cups back in 2022 when they defeated St. Brendan's College Killarney in the final having being beaten two years earlier by St Michael's College Enniskillen in the final.

It has been a phenomenal time for Naas CBS when you realise that they have never contested a Leinster 'A' final before 2018 and have contested every final since (no competition in 2021 due to covid), winning five titles out of six, outstanding to say the very least.

Their opponents, with the unusual name of Mercy Mounthawk, Tralee, won their first provincial title two weeks ago defeating Tralee CBS in an all Tralee decider.

Mercy Mounthawk had gone through the 2023 campaign impressively, no team getting within six points and then went into the Munster final with huge expectations after so many impressive displays.

In that final Mercy led at the break by four points (0-9 to 0-5) but had to withstand a major comeback from their fellow Tralee school side who got back level following the conversion of a penalty but it was Mercy Mounthawk who had the wherewithal to kick on again eventually winning on a final score line of Mercy Mounthawk 0-15 Tralee CBS 1-8.

The strength of the winners can be seen from the fact they had four starters from the Kerry minor team of 2023, Paddy Lane and Ben Murphy were, by a distance, the county’s two leading performers.

The aforementioned Paddy Land hit 1-7 for Kerry when they defeated Kildare in the All-Ireland quarter-final last season with Ben Murphy hitting 1-1 from midfield.

Lane was a two-year Kerry minor. Alongside him on the 2022 Kerry class were the Mounthawk half-forward pair of Odhran Ferris and Niall Collins. This trio have been the school’s outstanding performers in front of goal en route to Saturday's semi-final.

Kerry lost that semi-final to Monaghan who in turn lost the final to Derry.

Naas CBS had two players on the starting Kildare team that day, Liam O'Connor and last week's Leinster final Rob Murray.
Naas clinched their sixth two weeks ago when defeating Coláiste Choilm Tullamore on a score line of 1-12 to 0-10.

And while that five point winning margin looks comfortable enough it was far from it after Naas lost a good lead with Tullamore getting right back into the game in the second half, hitting three points on the trot.

However, it was at that point that Naas CBS upped their game and a goal from wing back Rob Murray in the 60 minute was the vital score of the game.

In fairness though Naas were well worth their win. They were the better side throughout the game and when the pressure came on, as we have seen on more than one occasion on this journey they had the necessary credentials to dig deep when it was needed and pulled clear in time added on.

A strong team through and well managed and coached under manager Cormac Hughes who admitted that the school has enjoyed a tremendous run in Leinster over the past six years.

Strong at the back, a good attacking half back line, Naas have a fine midfield pairing in Liam O'Connor and Cian O'Reilly, while up front Tom Kelly at centre forward is a quality player who scored six points in the Leinster final win while the strength in depth can be seen with both Dara Cooke and Daire Gilmartin coming off the bench and scoring complimenting scores from Daniel Hamill, Evan Gilmartin and Cian O'Reilly.

Masita All-Ireland PPS Hogan Cup semi-final, Saturday 24 February: Naas CBS v Mercy Mounthawk, Tralee in Bansha, Co. Tipperary at 2pm