Naas CBS go out to Mercy in All-Ireland semi-final

Naas CBS voyage of 2023/24 ended this afternoon in the Masita PPS All-Ireland football semi final when they lost out to Mercy Mounthawk CBS of Tralee, the game played at Galtee Rovers Headquarters, Bansha, Co Tipperary.

In a lively game on a heavy pitch Naas led after 17 minutes 1-4 to 0-2, the goal coming from Ferdia Ó Domhnaill. However the Munster champs hit back with a goal from Noah Townsend before the break and were in front at the interval by two, 1-8 to 1-6. It was a three minute spell from 25 to the 28 minute that saw the tide turn in favour of Mercy.

Try as they did Naas failed to bridge that gap and Mercy went five clear in the second half before Naas got it back to three but that was as close as they got and in fact finished with 13 men after Liam O'Connor was sent to the line after two yellow cards on 48 minutes, one particularly harsh, while keeper Charlie Carroll was shown a black on 58 as the Munster champs held out for a deserved if hard earned win.

Final score: Mercy Mounthawk 1-15 Naas CBS 1-10.

Scorers: Mercy Mounthawk, Paddy Lane 0-8 (5 frees), Noah Townsend 1-0, Daniel Kirby 0-3, Tomás Kenedy 0-2 (1 free), Jake Hoare 0-1, Odhran Ferris 0-1.

Naas CBS: Ferdian Ó Domhnaill 1-0, Evan Gilmartin 0-2 (free, mark), AJ Jordan 0-2 (2 frees), Daire Gilmartin 0-2, Brian Hoctor 0-1, Matthew Kelly 0-1, Rob Murray 0-1, Tom Kelly 0-1.

MERCY HOUNTHAWK: Michael Tanslley; Gary O'Riordan, Oisin McGibney, James Fisher; Padraig O'Halloran, Jack Murphy, Ben Murphy; Daniel Kirby, Cian O'Gara; Niall Collins, Odhran Ferris cpt., Sean Cokery; Paddy Lane, Tomás Kennedy, Noah Townsend. Subs: Jake Hoara for Tomás Kennedy (46 minutes); Bobby Byrne for Cian O'Gara (59 minutes); Ben Sharpe for Oisin McGivney (60 minutes).

NAAS CBS: Charlie Carroll (Eadestown); Niall Cramer (Raheens), Brian Hoctor (Naas), Matthew Kelly (Naas); Rob Murray (Naas), Cathal McCarthy (Raheens), Jamie McGuirk Jt cpt (Naas); Cian O’Reilly Jt Cpt (Raheens), Liam O’Connor (Naas); Daire Gilmartin (Raheens), Tom Kelly (Naas); Daniel Hamill (Raheens); Ferdia Ó Domhnaill (Sallins), Jack Kelly (Eadestown) Evan Gilmartin (Raheens). Subs: AJ Jordan (Kill) for Ferdia Ó Domhnaill (42 minutes); Alex Lenehan (Naas) for Rob Murray (48 minutes); Dara Cooke (Raheens) for Evan Gilmartin (46 minutes); Owen Thompson (Kill) for Jack Kelly (52 minutes).

REFEREE: Sean Lonergan, Tipperary.