Positive signs in defeat for new look Naas side
Naas's Dylan O’Keeffe squares up to former Irish international, Instonian's Ian Whitten. Photo: Instonians RFC
Another Energia All-Ireland League Division 1B campaign began last Saturday afternoon as Naas travelled to Belfast to face Instonians. The Northern side have been one of the great success stories in recent times in Irish Rugby. As recently as the 2021/’22 season they were plying their trade outside of the All-Ireland League, but since then they have claimed the Division 2C, 2B and 2A titles to find themselves in the lofty heights of Division 1B, so Naas knew that a formidable challenge awaiting them on this occasion.
A torrential downpour half an hour before kick-off made conditions difficult for the players, with Naas fielding a much changed side, with no less than eight changes from the team that faced Highfield in their last AIL game back in April. However the side quickly gelled and within seven minutes they were in front, after a spell of early pressure won them a penalty which Tom Bohan successfully kicked.
The home side thought they had scored the opening try of the game after 14 minutes when Bradley McNamara raced clear to score, but the referee Sam Holt was adamant that there had been a forward pass in the lead up, and had no hesitation in disallowing it. But within another two minutes Instonians did register the first try, when Hugo Ellerby made a lovely break that sliced apart the Naas defence. He then passed to his supporting captain David Whitten who drew in the last defender, before passing back to Ellerby to score. Surprisingly, Josh Eagleson missed the relatively easy conversion attempt, but Instonians now lead by five points to three.
The lead was extended after 21 minutes. Bevan Prinsloo carved open the Naas defence and was only stopped just short of the line, before the visitors were penalised for handling in the subsequent ruck. Instonians turned down a shot at goal from in front of the posts, and elected to take a scrum. Their big pack of forwards drove Naas back at the set piece, leading to the referee awarding a penalty try and the home side now led 12-3.
To their credit Naas responded brilliantly and enjoyed their best spell of the game for the next ten minutes. It started after 24 minutes when Charlie Sheridan brilliantly fielded a high kick, and took off on a mazy run that left the home defenders trailing in his wake. His subsequent pass was then deliberately slapped down by Bradley McNamara, and the referee had little option to brandish a yellow card. Naas penalised this indiscretion by scoring ten points in his absence. Tom Bohan kicked the resulting penalty, and then on 28 minutes the visitors struck for their first try of the season. Another penalty was dispatched to touch and from the line-out Naas set up a driving maul. When this was contained they elected to move the ball out to the backs, and some fine handling in the tricky conditions eventually led to the supporting Tadgh Brophy scoring beside the posts. Tom Bohan added the conversion and Naas led by a point – 13-12.
The home side were to finish the half strongly. Firstly after 36 minutes the returning Bradley McNamara split the Naas defence apart, before passing outside to Hugo Ellerby who was bundled into touch just short of the line. Then on the stroke of half-time Instonians again turned down a shot at goal after being awarded a penalty, this time going to touch. After successfully winning the line-out they formed a powerful driving maul that Naas were powerless to stop, and led by Oli Clark touching down. Josh Eagleson added the conversion and at the interval Instonians led by 19 points to 13.
The third quarter of the game was largely uneventful and we had to wait until the 60th minute before the scoreboard moved again. A brilliant kick by the Instonians winger Mark Keane led to them winning a 50-22, and from the line-out they again set up the driving maul. However the Naas pack did brilliantly here and managed to hold the ball up over the line, winning themselves a goal-line drop-out in the process. The reprieve however only lasted a matter of seconds for Naas. Straight from the drop-out Instonians ran the ball straight back at Naas and saw Bradley McNamara evade a couple of poor tackles before scoring in the corner, giving his side a try scoring bonus point. Eagleson missed the conversion, but he landed a further penalty after 72 minutes to leave the home side in front by 27-13.
Naas to their credit kept plugging away and enjoyed a decent spell of territory and possession after this score, but it was the home side who were to have the final say, when in injury-time former Irish international Craig Gilroy showed great strength to power over in the corner for a try. Although Eagleson missed the conversion, the referee blew the full-time whistle immediately afterwards and Instonians were off to a winning start in the campaign.
Although defeat was to be the lot for Naas here they will be pleased that no less than seven players made their AIL debuts in this match, and they will benefit greatly for the experience. Yes, there is work to be done – the line-out and defence can be improved – but that will come, and Naas can look forward to the rest of the campaign with optimism.
Next up for them is a home fixture against Old Wesley, next Saturday afternoon. Kick-off is at 2.30pm and as always all support will be greatly appreciated.
Bradley McNamara, Mark Keane, Bevan Prinsloo, Ian Whitten, Hugo Ellerby, Josh Eagleson, Ruairi O’Farrell, Schalk van der Merwe, Oli Clark, Liam Kaprigiannis, Marty Vorster, Ed Broom, Mark Lee, Paul Pritchard, David Whitten (capt).
Neil Saulters, Craig Gilory, Matthew Neill, Robert Whitten, Anton Lupari, Blake McClean.
Charlie Sheridan, Donal Conroy, Paddy Taylor, Dylan O’Keeffe, Tom Monaghan, Tom Bohan, Tadhg Brophy, Stephen Lackey, Brad Clements, Adam Deay, Oisin Halpin, James O’Loughlin, Eoin Walsh, Will O’Brien (capt), Darragh Murphy.
John King, Thomas Adams, Paulie Tolofua, Cormac King, Fionn O’Hara, David O’Sullivan.
Sam Holt.
