Naas produce huge upset to defeat All-Ireland champions JTB and land first Kildare camogie title in 59 years

Naas 4-6

Kildare Senior Camogie Championship final

Naas produced one of the great shocks in the recent history of Kildare camogie as they trumped reigning All-Ireland champions Johnstownbridge to win their first Kildare Senior Camogie Championship title since 1959 on Sunday afternoon.

It was the first time that Naas have even contested a county final in 59 years, but they made their rare appearance count by turning on the style and delivering the goals that would punish their illustrious opponents.

Johnstownbridge were going for an eighth Kildare title in a row, and having won the All-Ireland Junior Championship in 2015 and 2016 before going on to win the Intermediate title last year, the ladies from west Kildare were massive favourites going into this game.

Naas were superb from the off however, but their challenge was really invigorated by an 18th minute Sarah Cullen goal that gave them a 1-2 to 0-2 lead.

There were no further scores for another eight minutes, but when the next one did arrive it was crucial as Tara Bedford netted a second goal to propel Naas into a six-point lead.

Johnstownbridge responded like the champions they are with four points in a row, but Player of the Match Cullen bagged her second goal on the stroke of half-time to send her team in with a 3-3 to 0-6 lead.

The County Town side held off a fightback from the reigning champions in the second half, and a late goal gave them some breathing space as they secured a famous victory.