Kildare GAA: Naas dig it out against Moorefield

The opening game in the Preliminary Round of the Kildare GAA Joe Mallon Motors SFC  was a cracking contest as Naas, going for their fifth title in a row, were put to the pin of their collar to defeat Moorefield at Cedral Park, Newbridge, this evening (7 August).

Naas, hot favourties at the unbackable odds of 1/8, had to call on all their undoubted skill and talent, to hold off a Moorefield side that came very close to brining off a major shock.

The sides were level at 0-5 apiece at half-time, Moorefield having the assistance of a decent breeze but on the resumption the champs opened a five point lead (0-12 to 0-7) after 46 minutes and looked to be on their way.

However, an absolute brilliant goal from Adam Tyrrell in the 50 minute got The Moores back into it and when Naas were reduced to 14 following a second yellow for Jack McKevitt, the Newbridge side hit back and opened a two point lead on 52.

Naas replied with an Alex Beirne penalty to put the champs back in front.

Moorefield, against the odds, hit back with a second well-worked goal from Evan O'Brien but Naas finished strong with points from Darragh Kirwan and Fintan Quinn and a goal deep into injury time from Kirwan to win on a final score line of Naas 2-14 Moorefield 2-10,

Scorers: Naas, Alex Beirne 1-3 (penalty, 45), Darragh Kirwan 1-1, Ryan Sinkey 0-4 (1 two-pointer), Paul McDermott 0-2, Brian Byrne 0-2 (two-pointer), Jack McKevitt 0-1, Fintan Quinn 0-1.

Moorefield, Evan O'Brien 1-4, Ciaran Kelly 0-4 (2 two-pointers), Adam Tyrrell 1-0, Mark Murray 0-2.