Naas into Hosie final
Derry Lenehan spreads the play wide after another dominant Naas scrum - a core element of their Hosie Cup semi-final victory over Newbridge on Sunday. Photos: Martin Rowe.
Reigning champions Newbridge are out of the Hosie Cup after an impressive defensive performance saw Naas get over the line on Sunday evening in Forenaughts.
Naas will now face Athy in an all-Kildare final after the men from The Showgrounds put Clondalkin to the sword on the other semi-final the day previous on a scoreline of 48-8.
It took 16 minutes for the opening score of the game, which came off a kick to the corner from a Naas penalty. Paddy McMahon claimed the lineout and the hosts set an outstanding maul, driving their way to the line before a breakaway pod caused all sorts of confusion, with scrum half, Derry Lenehan pouncing on the ball for a try. The heavy wind knocked the ball off the tee and Ethan Travers' conversion attempt drifted wide.
Newbridge looked to hit back straight away, but a dogged Naas defence never the visitors gain any real momentum. Having held out in their own half, Naas brought the play into the Newbridge 22 and set another driving maul. The visitors stopped them on this occasion, but spilled the ball before they could clear their lines. Naas got a great shunt on the resulting scrum before Lenehan popped the ball to his inside centre as Julian Zebedee danced past the last two defenders to go over for a well-taken try. Travers made no mistake with his kick this time as Naas took a 12-0 lead after half an hour.
Newbridge again looked to hit back straight away and won a penalty which they kicked to the corner. Naas managed to disrupt the lineout, with another massive hit coming in from Conor Butler to help the hosts clear the danger. But Newbridge kept their foot down, going through a couple of phases in front of the posts before spreading the ball out to Caleb Aiulu, who crossed for a much-needed try. Donal Cashman landed a difficult conversion with the last kick of the half to leave his side five down at the interval, 12-7 on the scoreboard.
Newbridge looked to strike right after the break, but came undone thanks to a brilliant interception from Travers. Naas were quick to get the ball to James Buckeridge and there was no catching the powerful winger. Travers added the extras.
The visitors needed the next score and got some help 15 minutes into the half when Naas lost Travers to the sin bin after the hosts had racked up too many quick penalties for the liking of referee David Williams. Newbridge were unable to hold onto possession, however, and a stuttering set piece meant they had limited options to spring a meaningful attack.
Naas survived the sin bin unscathed, but no sooner was Travers back on the field than substitute Scott O'Sullivan-Magne received a yellow card of his own and the Naas returned to 14 men heading into the final quarter of an hour.
The home side showed tremendous grit and determination to survive both sin-bin periods without conceding a single score, and kept Newbridge out for the entire second half to book their place in the final.
Sam Dunne; Timothy Courtney, Andrew Carroll, Julian Zebedee (1 try), James Buckeridge (1 try); Ethan Travers (2 cons), Derry Lenehan (1 try); Jack Walters, Harry Dunne, Eoin Tierney; Paddy McMahon, Phillip Jordan; Conor Butler, Jack Rogers, Mikkel Andresen.
Joe McSherry, Conor McGroary, Scott O'Sullivan-Magne, Calum Corcoran, Finian Murray.
Zack Meehan; Stephen Cooke, Caleb Aiulu (1 try), Riain Murphy, James Kennedy; Donal Cashman (1 con), Tim Murphy; Michael Ugochukwu, Max McLaughlin, Brendan Commane; Callum Reynolds, Fergal O'Grady; Cam English, Chris Leech, Mark Bennett.
Aaron Donnelly, Dave Morgan, Cillian Beirne, Connall Sharkey, Shane Treacy, Kevin Commane, Robbie Waters, Eimhin Conroy.
David Williams
