Towns Seconds Cup Final REPLAY
Naas RFC 13 v Gorey RFC 23
Match Report: Dermot Benn
Naas and Gorey RFC played out an exciting replay to determine who would take home the Provincial Towns Seconds Cup. Unfortunately for Naas, it was not to be and Gorey took home the a Provincial Cup for the first time since 1985.
Naas RFC 13 v Gorey RFC 23
Match Report: Dermot Benn
Naas and Gorey RFC played out an exciting replay to determine who would take home the Provincial Towns Seconds Cup. Unfortunately for Naas, it was not to be and Gorey took home the a Provincial Cup for the first time since 1985.
Naas can feel themselves a bit unlucky as they had to play without three starters from the previous weekend’s game. Loosing dynamic try scoring and kicker Full Back Johnny Shanahan in the warmup was a significant loss. Added to this mounting challenge was the loss of experienced Centre Oisin Tyrell after 20 minutes.
The Naas Management team of John Higgins, Gearoid Comber, supported by the experienced Alan Burke and Michael Barton were forced into reactive substitutions but they revealed a canny knowledge of their players ability. Shifting Conor Sheridan initially to Full Back to replace John Shanahan and then to Centre was successful but the introduction of sub-scrum half Conor McNally to Full Back was a revelation as he went on to have a prodigious game darting here and there cleaning up dangerous kicks from the opposition and supporting attack and defence continuously.
The resilience of the entire panel was great, and they met the enforced challenges to the best of their ability. None more so than the efforts of Conor McGroary who had to return to the field of play though injured. The energy of Sean McNamee, Tom Finn, John McKeown and Eoin Mulhall when introduced and tenacious tackling by Kenny Gralton and Andy Murphy was uplifting. To their immense credit all of the Naas players performed heroically in and out of position and Nass was well in this game until late in the 2nd half.
The opening score of the game, a try which was converted went to Gorey after 8 minutes. But on the 13th minute Naas took the game to their opponents. In a well worked attack Nass were awarded a penalty on the halfway for a high tackle on Lachlann Cawley, Josh Murphy fired a long penalty into the Gorey 22. An accurate dart from Hooker Joe McSharry to David Benn passed down to Scrum Half Richie Murphy and moved quickly through the Backs hands to Andy Shanahan led to a rumbling maul controlled by Cian Murphy which advanced with power towards the Gorey try line. The charge was momentarily held up short. Not stopping for a moment, the powerhouse duo of captain Tierney and 2nd row Benn lifted and shifted the ball for the veteran Benn to score his 5th try of this cup campaign. This try was unconverted leaving the score 7: 5. On the 80th minute Gorey scored from a penalty to end the half leading the game 10 points to 5.
In the second half Naas playing into the scoring goal lifted their performance and were level at 10 all on 48 minutes. This 5 pointer was scored by the lively Scrum Half Richie Brophy who took the ball from the back of well controlled scrum to leave a flatfooted defence in his wake to score in the corner, Conor Sheridan was unlucky with the attempted conversion off the post.
Naas dominated the game in the 3rd quarter and substitute hooker Johnny Nolan was unlucky not to have been credited with a try following great attacking play supported by Centre Andy Shanahan and Winger Eoin Mulhall when the referee declared the ball held up much to the surprise of the Naas players and relief of the Wefordmen.
This nearly score was a timely reminder to Gorey that they were in an evenly contested game. Patrick Stapleton made a superb 35m break through the centre of the Gorey defence but when tackled on the 22 was penalised for holding on. Patricks gut bursting effort was his final contribution as a result of an injury. Powerhouse and team Captain Eoin Tierney had to switch to Loose Head with success demonstrating his great range of front row shills.
On the 56th minute Gorey, having win their Divisional league weeks previously, pounced on a Naas error after a ball was kicked out on the full. From the ensuing scrum on the halfway line the Gorey Pack dominated the Cobras scrum for the first time in the game and from the scrum penalty they dispatched the ball deep inside the Naas 22. Taking a ball from the lineout, well drilled Gorey forwards quickly latched and scored an old-style Truck & Trailer try which they converted to take the lead 17 to 10.
Naas players picked themselves up again and on the 67th minute Conor Sheridan was on the mark with a penalty to reduce the lead to 4. Gorey were now down to 14 as their Flank Forward was yellow carded for a high tackle and a subsequent deliberate knock on as Nass were building an attack. However, at this stage the many injuries Nass endured began to take their toll and on the 70th minute a tiring Naas side were penalised for not rolling away to lead 20 to 13.
On the 75th minute, though behind by 7 with time running out Naas remained composed and following great interplay between Hooker Nolan and No 8 Aaron Murphy an attack down the Left wing looked like the Kildare side were in for a try only for it to be prevented by a brilliant cover tackle by the Gorey Full Back stopping the athletic Naas No 8 from touching down,
This let off invigorated the Wexfordmen and they controlled the last few minutes of the game finally scoring from a penalty on the 79th minute to win the match 23 to 13. Shortly thereafter the referee blew the final amid great celebrations to the delight of the Gorey player and their large number of Gorey Supporters.
This game probably marks the final time Naas stalwarts David Benn, Eoin Tierney, Gearoid Comber, Kenny Gralton, Eoin Mulhall and Oisin Tyrell will don the Green and White as Father Time blows his whistle on their long careers. However, for many of the younger players such as John and Andy Shanahan, Richie Brophy, Josh Murphy and brothers Aaron and Andy Murphy can use their performance in this cup campaign to play at higher levels within the club.
Finally great appreciation and thanks goes to team manager Mike Higgins for his calm demeanour and solid tactical advice to the coaches throughout the league and Cup campaigns.
