Byrne makes late appearance as Naas cruise to victory
Brian Byrne made a late appearance off the bench for Naas and quickly made his mark on the scoresheet Photo: Sean Brilly
Naas opened the group stages with a comfortable and comprehensive win over Confey at sunny Cedral St Conleths Park.
The first goal arrived after just 50 seconds when Killian Harrington breeched the Confey defence before firing low past Shane Quinn and Naas were always in control after that.
There was even time for a cameo appearance off the bench in the closing minutes for Brian Byrne less than 24 hours after helping the Kildare footballers lift the Tailteann, and he made sure to make his mark on the scoresheet.
It was a game between two teams with very different ambitions. Confey’s season can probably already be deemed a success with victory over Moorefield in the preliminary round assuring them of senior status next year and anything they get out of the group stages will be a bonus after that.
Naas, of course, are on a very different pathway. They won’t take anything for granted, and Byrne's appearance shows how serious they take every game, but they will be hoping to be still hurling deep into the latter stages of the Leinster Senior Championship.
The gulf in class was evident from the early stages as Naas rattled off 1-5 without reply inside the opening five minutes.
Frank Baas opened the Confey account in the 10th minute and by half time had scored four of his team’s points as they trailed 1-13 to 0-5.
Naas showed no signs of relenting in the second half and Jack Sheridan scored his first of second half goals in the 33rd minute.
Charlie Carroll got their third five minutes later after two beautifully subtle touches. The first to push the ball over the last defender and then the second to cleverly flick the ball over the advancing Quinn.
The once again excellent Cian Boran scored Naas’ fourth goal in the 54th minute when his powerful shot was deflected past Quinn by corner back Michael Mullarkey.
The rout was completed by Sheridan’s second goal in injury time as Naas sent out an ominous warning to the rest of the teams in the Kildare Championship. They may have won the last six Championships but their hunger for success is great as ever.
Cormac Gallagher; Liam O’Reilly, Rian Boran, Peter O’Donoghue, Harry Carroll 0-2, Ross Kelly, Kevin Kelleher; Cian Boran 1-4, Evan O’Brian 0-3; Mac Dara Moore 0-3, Charlie Carroll 1-2, Cathal Dowling 0-2, Ferran O’Sullivan 0-2, Killian Harrington 1-2, Jack Sheridan 2-5 (4fs, 1’65). Subs: Kevin Whelan for Moore, 55; John McKeon for Kelleher, 55; Brian Byrne 0-3 for Harrington, 58.
Shane Quinn; Michael Mullarkey, Enda Bannon, Aidan Crean, Luke Quinn 0-1, Oisin Maher, Colm Noctor; Brian Keane, Colm Chan; Brian Grimes, Frank Bass 0-5 (4fs), Philip Quigley, Neil Ryan, Paul Divilly 0-1, Kevin Chan. Subs: Robin Breslin for K Chan, 36.
Thomas Redmond.
