Magnificent Naas CBS make it three-in-a-row in Leinster

Leinster Post-Primary School 'A' football final

Naas CBS 1-12

CC Tullmore 0-10

The more one ponders the latest success of Naas CBS in the Leinster PPS Senior 'A' football final, the more one can come to the conclusion what an amazing achievement, not only last Saturday's win over Coláiste Choilm Tullamore, but the fact that they (Naas) have been in every final played since 2018.

And remember no other Kildare school in modern times have succeeded in winning the Bosco Cup.
But since Naas succeed back in 2018, they have played in all finals, winning five, losing one, with no competition due to covid in 2021. Amazing or what.

Donaghmore Ashbourne GAA was the unlikely venue for last Saturday's decider, and while the venue was top class bringing Tullamore, in particular, to take a team from Naas to Ashbourne, no doubt due to the unavailability of other grounds but still ...
And it was the holders, bidding for three Bosco Cup titles in a row who got off to a flying start, mainly due to man of the match, centre forward, Tony Kelly, who put his stamp on proceedings right from the throw-in.

Kelly hit is first point on three minutes; his second on five and his third, a brilliant long range effort, on six minutes.
It was not until the ninth minute that Coláiste Choilm opened their account through their impressive full forward, Ryan Kenny.
AJ Jordan was refused a mark, before being fouled and that man Tom Kelly popped over point number four.

Gradually Coláiste Choilm Tullamore came into the game and with points from the aforementioned Kenny and Cian Bracken, another fine player, the lead was back to one on 17 minutes.

However, as if sensing danger, Naas CBS kicked on again with points from Evan Gilmartin, another from Daniel Hamill, while Charlie Carroll made a fine save denying Cian Bracken.

Brian Hoctor was then fouled, Tom Kelly converted a free wile Cian Bracken added a free for the Offaly champions to leave the half time score reading: Naas CBS 0-7 Coláiste Choilm 0-4.

And with Naas having enjoyed the benefit of a slight but at the same time significant breeze it was certainly all to play for but having said that the Kildare champions certainly looked the better equipped side up to that point.

Naas began where they left off on the resumption after a fine more saw Evan Gilmartin being denied by Tullamore keeper Sean Kavanagh.

Naas were dominant on their opponent's kick-out but failed to capitalise on the possession gained on a fair few occasions.
Cian Bracken reduced the deficit, AJ Jordan replied with a punched point; while AJ was denied by another fine save from the Tullamore keeper, up stepped joint captain Cian O'Reilly to pop over the resultant 45 to leave three points separating the sides again on 40 minutes.

Ryan Kenny kept his side in touch, Cian Bracken left one in it with a punched effort before a foul on Niall Furlong saw Ryan Kenny bring the sides level at 0-9 apiece the clock showing 49 minutes.

Naas were now suddenly in a dog fight but, and not for the first time, lifted their game impressively.
Brothers Evan and Daire Gilmartin combined for the latter to regain the lead; Daire was fouled in the next attack but the free drifted left and wide.

On 56 minutes and Naas were now showing more hunger and intensity and a late tackle on Evan Gilmartin was punished by Tom Kelly who extended the lead to two with just four minutes of normal time remaining.

Next came the killer blow from the champions. A move involving Cian O'Reilly, Owen Thompson and wing back Rob Murray ended with the latter getting the vital touch to steer the ball over the line for the only goal of the game.

Tullamore hit back with a point from their no. 1 player on the day, Ryan Kenny, but it was Naas CBS who had the final say when a fine move involving Liam O'Connor, Daniel Hamill and Dara Cooke ended with the Raheens man splitting the posts as the final whistle finally arrived on a score line of Naas CBS 1-12 Coláiste Choilm Tullamore 0-10.

The final score line was probably is a little harsh on Tullamore but there is no doubt the best side prevailed. Strong at the back, more than decent in the middle, and very importantly a very good bench the winners can now look forward to an All-Ireland in two weeks time against Munster champions Mercy Mounthawk who defeated Tralee CBS 0-15 to 1-9 last Saturday in Austin Stack Park, Tralee.

Man of the match was Tom Kelly but this by no means a one man game, others to catch the eye were keeper Charlie Carroll, Niall Cramer, Cathal McCarthy Jamie McGuirk; midfielders O'Reilly and O'Connor can be happy with their game while up front the Gilmartin boys, AJ Jordan and the boys off the bench all did well.

SCORERS
Naas CBS: Tom Kelly 0-6 (4 frees), Rob Murray 1-0, Daniel Hamill 0-1, Evan Gilmartin 0-1, Cian O'Reilly 0-1 (45), AJ Jordan 0-1 (free), Dara Cooke 0-1, Daire Gilmartin 0-1.

Coláiste Choilm Tullamore: Ryan Kenny 0-5 (5 frees), Cian Bracken 0-4 (2 frees), Cillian Bourke 0-1.

TEAMS

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); Alex Lenehan (Naas), Tom Kelly (Naas); Daniel Hamill (Raheens); Ferdia Ó Domhnaill (Sallins), A.J. Jordan (Kill), Evan Gilmartin (Raheens). Subs: Dara Cooke (Raheens) for Matthew Kelly (half-time); Dara Cooke (Raheens) for Alex Lenihan (40 minutes); Jack Kelly (Eadestown) for AJ Jordan (45 minutes); Owen Thompson (Kill) for Ferdia Ó Domhnaill (51 minutes).

Coláiste Choilm Tullamore: Sean Kavanagh; Peter McKeagney, John Colgan, Tadgh Kelly; Aaron Rattigan, Pa Kenna, David O'Rourke; Cillian Bourke, Eoin Dunne; Dara Bates, Niall Furlong, Davin Keegan; Stephen Doran cpt., Ryan Kenny, Cian Bracken. Subs: Eoin Rouse for Dara Bates (38 minutes): Cormac Whittle for David Keegan (45 minutes); Shane Horkan for Stephen Doran (56 minutes).

Referee David Sweeney, Laois.