Mills the man for Naas as he nets only goal in tense cup final
A first half Joe Mills strike was enough to ensure that Naas Utd reversed the result from when these two fine teams met in the same final on the same pitch in Rathangan last season.
That game went all the way to penalties and this year’s final was similarly tightly contested but with the superb John Paul Higgins marshalling the Naas defence in front of his brother Keith in goal, they kept a clean sheet that meant Mills’ goal was decisive.
The only goal of the game came midway through the first half. Paul Omoteso connected with Joe Murray, who sped down the left wing. Murray picked out Daragh Faherty, who laid the ball into the path of Mills who struck a sweet effort from 20 yards to beat Adam Mazur in the Clane goal and give Naas United the lead.
Although Clane posed the Naas defence problems through Aidan Ralph's long throws, it was Naas who looked more threatening in front of goal as Paul Omoteso and Daragh Faherty worked effectively together, forcing Mazur into a series of outstanding saves.
Chances were at a premium in the second half as the teams cancelled each other out in the centre of the pitch, while defences remained on top.
Ryan Murran went close for Clane when his shot skimmed just wide of the post, while Naas had a dangerous effort from Scott O’Neill that shaved the post. Goalkeeper Keith Higgins was commanding throughout for Naas, claiming anything crossed into the box, and then was at his best when producing a massive point-blank save in the 87th minute to deny Clane a late equaliser.
Naas also benefited from a last-ditch clearance by Joe Mills, ensuring their clean sheet remained intact. In the closing stages, Naas were reduced to ten men after O’Neill was sent off for an off-the-ball incident. The eventual winners closed shot and saw out any danger to lift the Karina Donnelly Senior Cup title for the third time in the Club’s history.
At the back, JP Higgins was deservedly named man of the match, marshalling the defence superbly with the vital support of Jamie Dunne, helping Naas withstand Clane’s late onslaught to close out the match. Best for the winners were Jamie Dunne, Leon Doyle, Joe Mills and the Higgins brothers Keith and man of the match JP. Best for Clane on the day were Ryan Murran, Killian Patchell, Adam Mazur and Jack Kelly.
Keith Higgins, Jamie Doyle, Leon Doyle Higgins, Stephen Tilly, John Paul Higgins, Joe Mills, Joe Murray, Scott O’Neill, James Boyd, Paul Omoteso, Daragh Faherty.
Jamie Nulty, Dylane Malone, Connor Cooke, Jamie Nolan, Pearse O’Neill, Jack Conway, Vernon Nolan.
Adam Mazur, Ryan Vaughan, Stephen Leavy, Jack Kelly, Noel Haverty, Ryan Murran, Killian Patchell, Aidan Ralph, Eoghan Maguire, Liam Deane, Cathal Geoghegan.
Adam Hinds, Nathan Car, Dean Comiskey, Rashdi Nsimba, Aeneas Murphy, Gavin O’Dwyer, Callum Mooney.
