Naas now ninth after Garryowen defeat
With the pitch at Forenaughts deemed unplayable, this Energia All-Ireland League Division 1B fixture between Naas and Garryowen on Saturday afternoon was moved to the 4G Pitch in Tullow, County Carlow.
However, despite the pitch being in pristine condition, the weather certainly was not as heavy, persistent rain and strong winds made things extremely difficult for both sets of players and spectators alike.
Naas Head Coach Johne Murphy had plenty of dramatic run-ins during his time as a player with both Munster and Leicester Tigers; now as a coach, he faces another crucial end to the season after a run of poor results have seen his side drop to ninth place in the division, with Garryowen proving simply too strong on this occasion.
The Limerickmen played with advantage of the elements in the first half and wasted no time in converting them into scores.
Naas knocked on the kick-off and gave Garryowen an attacking platform that they did not spurn. From the resulting scrum, number eight Alan Fitzgerald picked from the base and drove at the Naas line, when he was stopped Garryowen went through a series of phases before second rower Finn McCall crashed over from close range.
Then, after five minutes, fellow lock Rory Woods charged forward and after not being held in a tackle he got back to his feet, shrugged off another tackle and dived under the posts. Garryowen fly half Lachlan Stewart converted both tries as the Munster side led by 14 points.
The Naas defence stood up and withstood a series of Garryowen attacks after that until finally being breached again after 23 minutes.
The Limerickmen were awarded a penalty straight in front of the posts but declined the shot at goal, and went for a scrum instead. Again from the set piece, Alan Fitzgerald picked and powered right up to the Naas line, and when the ball was recycled to Luca Cleary he passed wide out to Jack Delaney who dived over.
Stewart tapped over the conversion and the lead was now out to 21 points.
Garryowen secured their try scoring bonus point just three minutes later, when they crossed the whitewash for a fourth time. Max Clein found a gap in the Naas defence just outside the 22, he passed inside to Fitzgerald who raced away to score unopposed under the posts. Stewart’s fourth successful conversion gave Garryowen a 28-advantage.
Naas were determined to finish the half well and managed to gain some possession and territory in the closing stages.
The nominal hosts were rewarded with a score just on half-time when Paddy Taylor and Paulie Tolofua were stopped just short of the line and referee Henry Richmond awarded Naas a penalty deep. Naas opted to tap and big carries by Adam Deay and Muiris Cleary saw them nearly get in, before Tadhg Brophy switched the ball to the left with a pass out to Taylor who stepped inside an attempted tackle to score. The fly half converted his own try to leave Naas trailing by 28-7 at the interval.
Naas needed a quick start to the second half and this is exactly what they got. Within three minutes from a lineout just outside the Garryowen five-metre line, Naas set up a powerful driving maul that the Limerickmen were unable to contain, as Paulie Tolofua eventually got the ball down. Taylor converted to make 28-14.
With 37 minutes still to be played and the elements in their favour Naas were right back in this game, and could be given every chance of taking victory. However, this was as good as it got for them.
Garryowen were able to deal quite comfortably with everything that was thrown at them for the remaining time, and on this occasion Naas simply lacked the guile to break them down.
There was to be no further scoring as the game limped its way to its inevitable conclusion, with the weather showing no signs of relenting.
All in all a disappointing day for Naas, who now find themselves second from bottom in Division 1B. But they do not have long to wait to put things right, as they are back in action on Saturday, January 31st with a home fixture against Armagh. The Ulstermen come into the game in fourth place on the back of a dominant victory at home to UCC.
Derry Lenehan; Donal Conroy, Charlie Sheridan, Tom Monaghan, Jack Sheridan; Paddy Taylor (1 try, 2 cons), Tadhg Brophy; Stephen Lackey, Brad Clements, Adam Deay; James O’Loughlin, Oisin Halpin; Eoin Walsh, Will O’Brien, Darragh Murphy.
Tadgh Dolley, Callum Coyne, Muiris Cleary, Paulie Tolofua (1 try), Cormac King, Tom Bohan.
Fionn Rowsome; Tom Ironside-Wickham, JJ O’Neill, Jack Delaney (1 try), Sean Sexton; Lachlan Stewart (4 cons), Luca Cleary; George Hadden, Max Clein, Ronan Foxe; Rory Woods (1 try), Finn McCall (1 try); Des Fitzgerald, Billy Hayes, Alan Fitzgerald (1 try).
Lars Linnenbannk, Ben Leahy, Joe Finn, Sean Rennison, Chulainn Williams, Colm Quilligan.
Henry Richmond.
