Kildare GAA: Had to look beyond Naas in SHC final

It's all about Naas and while that should certainly suit Maynooth, nevertheless the task facing the boys from the north of the county in Sunday's UPMC senior hurling championship decider is immense.
Naas are an incredible side as we have seen over the past six seasons. They are a side that is not only highly respected within Kildare but have reached the stage in Leinster now that they fall into the mix when a discussion is being held as to the best club sides in the province.
That is the level Tom Mulally's side has reached.
Five senior hurling titles in a row, as they now head to add to that total says it all.
Maynooth made it to the semi-final in 2023, losing out to Naas by six points.
The previous year 2022 they went all the way to the final, again losing out to Naas, this time by eight points.
While this year they came up against Naas in the Preliminary round losing out 2-23 to 0-13.
After taking bit of a pasting in the preliminary round, Maynooth won all three of their games in the Loser's Group defeating Coill Dubh, Ardclough and Leixlip to book their place in this season's semi-final where they came up against Éire Óg Corra Choill.
They proved their credentials that day winning comfortably, in the end, with an excellent second half display and had five points to spare in the end — 2-18 to 1-16.
Naas on the other hand after winning the League title, went straight through to the semi-final of the SHC where they hit no less than 3-28 to defeat Confey — who scored just seven points — by thirty points.
That was just one of Naas high scoring days this season. They clocked up an unbelievable tally of 12-70 in their three Group games against Éire Óg Corra Choill, Celbridge and Confey.
Having said all that there is no doubt that Maynooth are in the final on credit. If Naas are the No. 1 team in the county then Maynooth are the next in line.
How far they are behind we will have to wait and see on Sunday.
But finals are finals, hot favourites have bitten the dust before.
A once-off game we have seen down the years can often see the underdog prevail.
And while not for a minute suggesting Maynooth can cause an upset, it has been know to happen.
Led by their captain Sean Bean, Maynooth's defence will be well tested but in players such as Eoin Kelliher, Cian Forde, Mark Butler; Ciaran Flanagan in the middle; Cathal McCabe will be the man, again, the will look to for the majority of their scores, all are excellent hurlers.
Up front Kevin Dunne had a fine game in the semi-final hitting 2-3, Daniel O'Meara raised two white flags with Cormac Nolan one but as said it is Cathal McCabe they will look to but if David Qualter is fit he would certainly added some fire power to that area. He has been out through injury and it will be interesting to see if he makes it back for Sunday.
Naas, well where do you start.
Cormac Gallagher, an experienced keeper, the Boran boys are all class players; Simon Leacy not only does so much work throughout the field but rarely fails to raise two or three whites flags along with the odd goal.
Team captain, Brian Boran, is a dual players of immense ability; a leader, a worker, a scorer, everything a manager would be hoping from a player of his ability.
And then you have Jack Sheridan.
Prolific scorer, brilliant free taker; a goal getter second to none; simply a class act.
James Burke has been in and out through injury but if fit will add some strength whether he plays in the middle, leads the attack.
A senior hurling final is always a day to look forward to and this one is no different.
It will, undoubtedly, be a difficult day for Maynooth but they have given Naas some tight games in the past and while they inevitably had to yield to the boys from the county town in the end, they are outsiders but will give it their all to cause an upset.
All things considered hard to see anything but a win, a comfortable win for Naas.

The game that throws-in on Sunday at 2 pm at Cedral St Conleth's Park, Newbridge.