Naas show, again, why they are the team to beat in Kildare

Naas 1-23

Sarsfields 1-17

The Naas juggernaut rolls steadily on as Naas made it four SFL Division 1 titles and Leinster Leader Cups in a row following an awe-inspiring display against Sarsfields at Cedral St Conleth's Park, Newbridge, on Saturday afternoon.

However, there was something a little different about this one as at one point, as early as the eleventh minute Sarsfields held the upper hand by no less than seven points (1-4) while Naas did not even have a single attack at that stage and it took them another minute before they registered their first wide and it was not until the 16 minute before they raised their first white flag, courtesy of full back Cathal Daly.

Prior to that it was all Sarsfields as Vinny Walsh's boys looked more up for the game, more focused, played with more urgency and while it was Callum Bolton returning from Kildare duty who opened the scoring for The Sash it was full forward Ben Loakman who took over those particular duties hitting an impressive 1-8 of his side's 1-9 first half total.

That haul included two two-pointer frees and an excellent goal, having been put through by Ryan Kearney, the full forward held his nerve and while Luke Mullins in the Naas goal, got a hand to the ball he was unable to prevent it from crossing the white line.

It was impressive stuff from the Newbridge boys, in this there third final in a row against Naas and while they (Sarsfields) must have been feeling good mid-way through the opening half of ending that record, slowly the Naas machine began to clink into gear.
Paddy McDermott and a 45m two-pointer free, against the stiffish breeze, from Luke Mullins saw Naas cut the lead back and there followed a great three-man move that ended with Dallan Gallagher in on goal but his shot went over instead of under and the score board showed Sarsfields now lead 1-6 to 0-5.

Sarsfields eased their growing concerns when, not for the first time, referee Barrett brought back play after a prolonged advantage period, Ben Loakman made no mistake and added another free to extend the lead out to six.

Neil Aherne replied for Naas, Ben Loakman got another for The Sash and then just before the break following an excellent slick three-man move, Elliot Beirne pointed to leave the half-time score reading Sarsfields 1-9 Naas 0-7.

Just like he did after 11 seconds of the first half, Callum Bolton repeated that feat pointing after 11 seconds of the second to extend the lead.

However Naas were in no mood to hand their league title to the side that topped the league standings, Neil Ahern hit a two-pointer free, Fintan Quinn, half-time substitute, hit what looked like another two-pointer but a Naas hand ensured it was just a single but within a minute Elliot Beirne hit a beauty of a two-pointer and the lead was back to a single point with just 34 minutes on the clock.

Sarsfields emerged from their slumber and regained the initiative with points from Ryan Kearney, followed by a two-pointer free from Ben Loakman, another free from the same man and a Karl Hartley punched point and The Sash were back in charge leading 1-15 to 0-12 with 41 minutes gone.

Naas, however, were far from gone, a brilliant two-pointer from Fintan Quinn followed by a similar two-pointer from Neil Ahern (free) left two points between the sides.

Another free, following yet another long period of advantage play, but this time the effort hit the upright and was cleared.
Back came Naas, Darren Gallagher and Paul McDermott pointed and the sides were level 1-15 to 0-18 with 52 minutes on the clock.

Ryan Sinkey entered the fray as Naas full forward, Dermot Hanafin edged Naas ahead for the first time on 55 minutes and a minute later the ball was in the back of Marc Courtney Byrne's net with an excellent finish from Elliott Beirne, the wing back had to go off shortly after that with what looked like a hamstring problem, Dermot Hanafin added a point and suddenly Naas were in full control now leading 1-20 to 1-15.

Harry Redmond brought the Sarsfields 17 minute drought to an end with a point, but Brian Stynes popped up to send one over for the boys from the county town.

Naas manager, Philly McMahon was shown a yellow card, following the intervention of the linesman, it was a card that brought much hilarity to most; if ever there was a case of a referee to ignore a linesman this was surely it; an absolute joke.

At this stage Sarsfields heads had dropped, Naas added points from Paul McDermott and brother Paddy and it could have been more with two golden goal chances were not converted, Marc Courtney Byrne making an excellent save from one and while

Ben Loakman converted a late free to bring his total up to a very impressive 1-12, it was Naas who took the honours, took the silverware and sent out a reminder, if it were needed, that while they have changed manager, along with a new coach, their dominance of Kildare football looked is as strong as ever as they won by all of six points 1-23 to 1-16.

A big win for Naas but for Sarsfields, who played so well early on, a big lesson and a major set-back, the defeat was one thing but the capitulation was surely the most worrying.

SCORERS

Naas: Elliott Beirne 1-3 (1 two-pointer), Neil Aherne 0-5 (2 two-pointer frees), Luke Mullins 0-2 (2 point free), Fintan Quinn 0-3 (1 two-pointer), Paul McDermott 0-2, Dermot Hanifin 0-2, Dallan Gallagher 0-2, Paddy McDermott 0-2, Cathal Daly 0-1, Brian Stynes 0-1.

Sarsfields: Ben Loakman 1-12 (3 two-pointer frees), Callum Bolton 0-2, Karl Hartley 0-1, Ryan Kearney 0-1, Harry Redmond 0-1.

Naas: Luke Muillins; Mark Maguire, Cathal Daly, Jamie McGuirk; Elliott Beirne, Eoghan Prizeman, Robert Fitzgerald; Brian Stynes, Paddy McDermott; Tom Browne, Kevin Cummins, Tom Kelly; Neil Aherne, Dermot Hanafin, Dallan Gallagher. Subs: Fintan Quinn foor Tom Browne (half-time); Paul McDermott for Tom Kelly (41 minutes); Ryan Sinkey for Kevin Cummins (50 minutes); Tom McGrane for Elliott Beirne (57 minutes).

Sarsfields: Marc Courtney Byrne; Daragh Conlon, Kieran Dwyer, David Higgins; James Aspell, Daragh Ryan, Harry Redmond; Tadhg Hoey, Callum Bolton; Cian McHugh, Cian Costigan, Shea Ryan; Ryan Kearney, Ben Loakman, Karl Hartley. Subs: Jimmy O'Neill for James Aspell (4 minutes); Ethan Mountaine for Cian McHugh (36 minutes); Gavin Anderson for Cian Costigan (45 minutes); Ethan Mountaine (56 minutes): Conor O'Donovan for Ryan Kearney (56 minutes); Shane Doyle for Harry Redmond (56 minutes).

REFEREE: Henry Barrett.

READ NEXT: "I'm only in five weeks and the players have stepped up" - Philly McMahon after Naas' league final win