Maynooth reach first SFC final in 110 years after sensational upset win over Naas
Maynooth players celebrate their famous win over Naas in the Joe Mallon Motors Senior Football Championship Final. Photo: James Lawlor.
Maynooth caused one of the biggest upsets in recent Kildare football history on Saturday evening as they dethroned Naas to reach their first Senior Football Championship final in 110 years.
Having already stunned defending champions Athy after extra-time in the quarter-final, Maynooth once again took the scenic route, with Cathal McCabe's dramatic 66th-minute goal ultimately proving decisive in a famous victory.
While the result will go down as a shock, there could be no arguments over its merit. Maynooth were the better side when it mattered most, capitalising on an unusually off-colour display from a Naas team that never truly found their rhythm.
Despite leading 0-6 to 0-2 at the break, Naas failed to make their first-half superiority count. Their shooting was uncharacteristically wasteful, with four efforts dropping short inside the opening seven minutes. Scores from Euan Cowzer, midfielder Paul McDermott and later substitute Neil Aherne helped keep Naas going but they never managed to establish the control many expected.
Maynooth emerged from the dressing room with renewed energy and wiped out the deficit through four unanswered points in the early stages of the second half.
Naas looked to have regained the initiative when they edged back in front approaching full-time. However, just as he had done against Athy in the previous round, Paddy Mahoney delivered when it mattered most, splitting the posts with a huge two-pointer to force the contest into extra-time.
The additional period belonged to Maynooth. McCabe's goal proved the crucial score and gave them a lead they would never relinquish. Although Naas battled back to leave just a point between the sides midway through the second half of extra-time, Maynooth found another gear.
Niall O'Sullivan, Neil Flynn and Kevin Donovan all landed important scores down the stretch, sparking wild celebrations among the Maynooth supporters as their side completed a remarkable triumph.
The two clubs meet again in next week's Senior Hurling Championship final but this was a spectacular way for Maynooth to start off those two games.
For manager Ross Glavin, it marks a return to the county final stage in a managerial capacity. Glavin famously guided his native Moorefield three successive final, where they came within seconds of a historic three-in-a-row before eventually losing to Sarsfields after a replay. That experience could prove invaluable over the coming fortnight as Maynooth prepare for a final appearance that has been more than a century in the making.
The county final is scheduled to take place on Sunday, November 1, with Maynooth now just 60 minutes away from completing one of the most remarkable championship journeys Kildare football has witnessed.
Mark Donnellan; Cathal Quinn, Alex Tilly, Sean Mahon, Conor O’Grady, Niall O’Sullivan 0-1, Callum McCabe; Ciaran Flanagan, Matthew Diamond 0-2 (1f); Cathal McCabe 1-1, Sean Hever 0-2, Paul O’Dea, Paddy Mahoney 0-4 (1tp, 1f), Liam McDonald 0-1, Paddy Ryan 0-1. Subs: Paul Maguire for O’Dea, 23. Subs: Paul Maguire for O’Dea, 23; Kevin Donovan 0-1 for Ryan, 46; Niall Cullen for O’Grady, 57; Neil Flynn 0-2 (1f) for Donovan, start of e/t; Kevin Donovan for Cathal McCabe, 76; Cillian Geraghty for Maguire, 79; Sean Higgins for Mahoney, 80+1.
Luke Mullins; Mark Maguire, Brian Byrne, Jack McKevitt, Rob Murray, Cathal Daly, Paddy McDermott; Paul McDermott 0-3, James Burke; Dermot Hanafin 0-1, Alex Beirne 0-3 (1tp), Kevin Cummins 0-1, Euan Cowzer 0-3, Ciaran Doyle, Ryan Sinkey 0-1. Subs: Liam O’Connor for Cummins, h/t; Fintan Quinn for Doyle, 38; Neil Aherne 0-3 for Hanafin, 46; Brian Stynes for Murray, 54; Sean Hanafin 0-1 for Burke, 60; James Burke for O’Connor, 75; Eoin Doyle for Daly, 76.
Niall Colgan
