Naas save the best for last to remain in AIL Division 1B for another year
Naas fly half Paddy Taylor drives through the defensive line.
The final round of fixtures in the 2025/26 Energia All-Ireland League Division 1B saw Naas host Instonians on Saturday afternoon. The scenario was clear for Johne Murphy's men – win and they would retain their 1B status; lose and they would be left relying on results elsewhere to see if they would avoid the relegation playoffs. When it mattered most, Naas produced their best performance of the season, with their pack supplying a the ball as their backs produced an exhilarating display of open, attacking rugby that left Instonians bewildered.
In their wildest dreams Naas would never have imagined that they would be 14 points up after just three minutes, but that is how it played out. There was just 50 seconds on the clock when they opened the scoring. Instonians attempted to run a ball from deep in their own 22, but when a pass went astray Jack Sheridan pounced on the loose ball and sprinted away. When he was tackled just short of the line, his brother Charlie was on hand to take his pass, and he in turn found Tadgh Brophy who dived over.
Some sublime handling by the Naas backs then created space out wide before the ball was switched inside to Dylan O’Keeffe who had Tom Monaghan supporting on his left shoulder and the latter finished in style, with Paddy Taylor converting both scores.
Naas were playing with the advantage of the strong breeze at their backs, and were intent on making the most of it. They increased their lead after 18 minutes. Adam Deay got hands on the ball in a ruck, winning his side a penalty in the process. They kicked to touch, the subsequent line-out was won by Darragh Murphy and Naas set up a driving maul. When this was stopped the ball was moved into midfield, where Charlie Sheridan powered through two tackles to score under the posts.
Within two minutes Naas had secured their try bonus-point. From a scrum near half-way the Naas backs moved the ball out to Jack Sheridan, who sprinted down the left wing; he put in a brilliant no look pass to his brother Charlie, who in turn found the supporting Brophy who raced away to score. Again Taylor converted both tries to make it 28-0.
The home supporters were in dreamland and amazingly they were to score again within 30 seconds. The Instonians restart was caught in the wind, the visitors were unable to gather and the ball fell nicely for Charlie Sheridan who gathered on half-way and raced away for a fifth Naas try of the afternoon, with Taylor adding the extras.
Instonians kept plugging away and were rewarded with their first score of the afternoon after 31 minutes. Some good, powerful carries by their pack brought play up to the Naas line, before the ball was released to the backs and their out-half Josh Eagleson showed some good footwork to get in for a try.
But Naas soon resumed their scoring ways with another try just before the break. Following a big carry by Ryan Casey, the ball was given to the backs where Jack Sheridan fended off a couple of tackles before scoring. Taylor converted to make it 42-5 at the interval.
Even with strong wind advantage it took Instonians 13 minutes of the second period to make inroads into the Naas lead. The score came after the visitors set up a driving maul from a five yard line-out, which inched its way over the Naas line, with Oli Clark being awarded the score, which Andrew Keane converted.
However, any thoughts of a comeback were extinguished after 67 minutes when Naas got in for another try. Brophy switched play and found Darragh Murphy who powered down the right wing. When he was hauled down close to the line the ball was moved into midfield, where Dylan O’Keeffe took a great line to split the visitors' defence to score to make it 47-12.
Instonians never stopped trying and were rewarded for their endeavours with tries by Mark Mairs after 75 minutes and Marty Vorster in injury time. Both scores were converted by Andrew Keane, but these only served to put a bit of respectability on the scoreboard for the visitors.
Naas finish the campaign in eighth place. Great credit must go to all the players, management committee and back room staff involved. Division 1B is extremely competitive and of a very high standard, and for Naas to retain their place in it is no mean achievement.
Tom Monaghan (1 try); Donal Conroy, Charlie Sheridan (2 tries), Dylan O’Keeffe (1 try), Jack Sheridan (1 try); Paddy Taylor (6 cons), Tadhg Brophy (2 tries); Dewald Barnard, Graham Reynolds, Adam Deay; James O’Loughlin, Oisin Halpin; Darragh Murphy, Will O’Brien, Paulie Tolofua.
Brad Clements, Stephen Lackey, Muiris Cleary, Ryan Casey, Cormac King, David O’Sullivan.
Bradley McNamara; Freddie Clark, Bevan Prinsloo, Mark Keane, Simon McMaster; Josh Eagleson (1 try), Andrew Keane (3 con); Anton Lupari, Oli Clark (1 try), Liam Kaprigiannis; Mark Mairs (1 try), Robert Whitten; Mark Lee, Paul Pritchard, Alistair Burke.
Neil Saulters, Schalk van der Merwe, Marty Vorster (1 try), Ed Broom, Danny O’Regan, James Clark.
Andrew Fogarty.
