Kildare GAA: Naas show their strength in magnificent second half display

Naas retained the Hanlon Concrete SFL Division 1 title and bring the Leinster Leader Cup back to the county town for the fourth time in a row and their third in a row to defeat Sarsfields.

Naas trailed at half-time by five points but hit an impressive 1-16 in the second half to Sarsfields 0-8.

The opening half though was all about Sarsfields and Ben Loakman, the Sarsfields full forward showed sparkling form and while it was county man, Callum Bolton who opened the score it was Loakman who stole the honours with the remaining of his side's opening half scores, a total of 1-8, which included two two-pointer frees and two frees plus that all important goal after being put through by Ryan Kearney.

Naas did not score until the 16 minute trailing at that stage 1-6 to 0-0, Cathal Daly opened, the boys in blue added four more (one two-pointer) before The Sash added three from Loakman, two frees, while Naas had points from Neil Aherne and a late effort from Elliot Beirne, to leave the half time score reading Sarsfields 1-9 Naas 0-7.

However on the resumption it was Naas who took control hitting no less than four two-pointers and while they did not take the lead until the 55 minute they ran out a comfortable six point winners, their goal coming from Elliott Beirne.

A major statement from the county champions, while for Sarsfields, who played so well for so long, they are now fully aware of the task that lies ahead

Final score: Naas 1-23 Sarsfields 1-17

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

Sarsfields, Ben Loakman 1-12 (3 two-pointe 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, Fintan Quinn. Subs: Fintan Quinn for Tom Browne (half-time); Paul McDermott for Tom Kelly (41 minutes); Ryan Sinkey for Kevin Cummins (50 minutes); Tom McGrainee 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); Ciaethan Mountaine (56 minutes): Codnor O'Donovan for Ryan Kearney (56 minutes); Shane Doyle for Harry Redmond (56 minutes).

REFEREE: Henry Barrett.