NAAS AFC U-14 DDSL B1
This Season brought mixed fortunes. The boys showed great dedication and enthusiasm in training so regularly and keenly. Fixtures were disrupted by bad weather on a large scale with games called off not only in the normal wet months but even in September and May! So, there
was little chance of continuity when fixtures were so sporadic and even the training areas closed for weeks on end. Some players moved from last season but we were fortunate to gain several good lads especially Thomas, Billy and Barry. On the field, there was some very good play and some bad days but a mid table position is to be respected since the team had moved up two Divisions. Thanks to the loyal parents who drove and supported and most of all to the boys who represented themselves, their familes and Club with sportsmanship and self-respect.
Quintin
U-14 HOLLYWOOD CUP
Round 1: – Rosemount Mulvey :1 Naas AFC: 3 October 4th, 2008
Hat-Trick as Naas Come Back from Early Setback.
This game was played on a beautifully level pitch next to the high walls of the hospital in Dundrum on a dry day with a strong wind blowing diagonally. Naas started brightly and several good passes set up the frontmen on runs but the home defence had several big lads, some of whom were also quite quick, and they averted the danger. Naas were facing the wind and were caught by a home attack after only 5 minutes when a strong run from just inside the Naas half was not shepherded away from goal and the home player got in a good strike which found the net. Naas awoke from whatever dreams they had of any easy win and applied themselves throughout the pitch. The central defence sharpened up and prevented the home team from getting any shots inside the penalty area for the rest of the game. The whole backline of Eoin Murray, Tom Woods, David Lawlor and Jack Coyle worked really well with the accurate passing and bravery of Murray a particular feature. Darragh Horgan was confident and commanding in goal and his handling was solid. Halftime came with no outstanding opportunities at either end but Naas were putting some passes together despite a tendancy to loft the ball into the wind thus making life difficult for the agile frontmen. Ben Whelan beat his opposite number regularly and the passes from the central midfield duo of Adam O’Maitiú and Ruairí Roantree were exposing the home team.
Naas continued to have a slight advantage in the second half but the big defenders were getting in their blocks though Naas won a series of corners again which posed danger for the home team. Midway through the second half, the game seemed to be drifting away till Whelan and Duignan combined on the right for Duignan to equalise.
Naas continued to have some control but could not quite score, coming closest when Kaio da Silva glided past several defenders to cut back a cross which was just missed by two attackers.
Extra time was called, 10 minutes each way, which might have caused difficulties for Naas who have had only one other fixture so far this season but they found more energy from somewhere and continued to probe the tiring home team. Billy Martin provided the key when he met a goal kick with a clever header across behind the defence for Duignan to react quickest and score the lead goal. The home team did respond with energy and in the last ten minutes moved defenders upfield but the clincher came when an O’Maitiú corner was nudged on by Whelan for Duignan to swing an oversized boot for his hat-trick. It was a good result to come back from being a goal down away and showed that this team retains the character that won them their division last season.
Naas AFC: D Horgan, E Murray, T. Woods, D Lawlor, J Coyle, B. Whelan, A. O’Maitiú, R. Roantree, T Hayes, K O’Reilly, J Huben. Subs: K Vinicius da Silva & C. Duignan for O’Reilly & Huben [35th ] : B Martin for T Hayes, [50th], B Gill for C.Duignan, [85th].
Round 2: St Teresa’s : 2 vs Naas AFC : 24th January, 2009
Naas bowed out of the Cup this year in the second round. The match was played on a beautiful pitch and the home team were stronger even if their goals were a bit fortunate. Naas were short a few players so had to adapt and play in some unaccustomed positions. The home team showed some good combination play and only several excellent stops and saves from goalie Darragh Horgan kept Naas close. The home team got the lead from an own goal and their second came from a rebound off the crossbar that fell kindly. Horgan and left back Billy Martin were Naas’s best performers on the day.
Naas AFC: D Horgan, E Murray, T. Woods, D Lawlor, B Martin, T Hayes, J Huben A. O’Maitiú, K Vinicius da Silva, K O’Reilly, M Fennessy. Subs: C Duignan for T Woods, [45], B Gill for T Hayes [55]
DDSL u-14B1 – Naas AFC : 3 vs Raheny United: 2.
Winning League Start.
The league campaign got a late start as two previous games were off due to wet pitches, strange events in September! Naas have quite a changed panel with six of last year’s squad
moving on but with some good replacements stepping in. The game did not start well for the home team as they fell behind early on. Gradually they worked together and the defence put in a strong display with Tom Woods performing really well. Thomas Hayes, playing in his first league game, scored the equalisier after reacting quickly to a mistake and making sure of his shot. Ben Whelan struck the lead goal with a fine half-volley that left the keeper baffled. Karl O’Reilly came on to score to increase the lead while the visitors got a second near the end. A winning start is a good start on the long campaign that should involve 22 league games.
Naas AFC: D Horgan, E Murray, T. Woods, D Lawlor, J Coyle, B. Whelan, A. O’Maitiú, R. Roantree, T Hayes, C. Duignan, J. Huben. Subs: K. O’Reilly for J. Huben [50th], B. Martin for C. Duignan [55th]
DDSL u-14B1 –Leicester Celtic: 3 vs. Naas AFC: 1 . 11th October.
This was a warm morning and a late start and Naas had a couple of players unavailable. Jack Coyle deputised in goal at short notice and did a good job including one spectacular dive low to his right. Naas got off to a good start with Kaio Vinicius making a good run from a Thomas Hayes pass and shooting home from an acute angle in off the far post in just the 4th minute.
Naas were confident after this start and became a bit stretched in eagerness to get a second goal. Leiceister had some skilful players and began to get the upper hand in midfield. The
home team equalised from a left wing cross in the 14th minute. The game was fairly even without many clear chances though Thomas Hayes had a powerful
shot blocked by a brave defending body. The home team took the lead in the 47th minute and scored a third soon after. Naas did respond without making clear chances but seemed to lack the necessary fitness and need some positional re-organisation. This was the first league defeat for this squad in 16 months so they are likely to make the effort to bounce back.
Naas AFC: J Coyle, E Murray, D Lawlor, T. Woods, J Huben, B. Whelan, R. Roantree, A. O’Maitiú, K Vinicius Da Silva, T Hayes, C. Duignan,. Subs;K O’Reilly for B Whelan [40th], M Fennessy for Da Silva [50th],B Gill for Hayes[65th]
DDSL u-14B1 – Markets United: 1 vs. Naas AFC : 1 vs. 18th October
Naas were away again this week in the wooded Albert College Park where the setting was pretty but the pitch very soft. Naas were keen to improve after the previous week’s defeat and settled
down fairly quickly to some new positions with Adam O’Maitiú moving to attack and David Lawlor to midfield. Lawlor in fact was the dominant figure for Naas bringing strength and energy to his
new role. Play was fairly even but Naas were first to score. Just before half-time, Ben Whelan put O’Maitiú in a good position at inside-right and when the keeper failed to hold the shot, Cian Duignan was in position to tap home.
The match was fairly even though Naas showed more composure than the home team. Naas however failed to score again and the equaliser came about ten minutes from full-time when a home
player got space at the edge of the area to get in a shot that crept in by a post. Naas performed better than the previous week and might have taken a win when O’Maitiú read a free well to chest down and put team-mate in space who unfortunately mistimed the run behind the defence and was off-side.
Naas AFC: D Horgan, E Murray, T. Woods, J Coyle, J Huben, B. Whelan, R. Roantree, D Lawlor, K Vinicius Da Silva, C. Duignan, A. O’Maitiú. Subs: T Hayes for B Whelan [40th], K. O’Reilly, B. Martin, B Gill, M Fennessy .
DDSL u-14B1 – Naas AFC : 2 vs. Leicester Celtic: 1. 8th November
Naas played their first game after two weeks of weather interruptions and had to play the team which gave them their first league defeat in sixteen months a few weeks past. The weather conditions were mixed for although it was dry, there was a fairly strong breeze blowing down the hill and the pitch. Naas faced the wind and hill in the first half and had some trouble at first. Jack Coyle inspired the defence with strong tackling and Darragh Horgan had to make saves. The balance of the game switched in the 18th minute when Naas took the lead against the run of play. The goal was a well-worked break with Cian Duignan heading a clearance wide to Ben Whelan who made progress before lofting a cross to meet the run of Adam O’Maitiú who coolly lobbed the advancing keeper. Naas were outplayed in midfield in the away game against Leicester but there was much improvement in this game with more effective closing down and support. The visitors seemed to lose heart after conceding though still caused Naas problems and had several corners and demanded some fine stops from goalie Horgan. Naas had several chances early in the second half to increase the lead but did not take them. They continued to dominate but then Leicester scored on a breakaway. Naas reacted well and Kaio da Silva who had a fine match, created huge problems for the visitors. Naas had the ball in the net a couple of times but the goals were disallowed. O’Maitiú was forceful all day and when his right foot shot was blocked away he continued his run wide and shot with his left to beat the keeper again. Naas pressed well and Jack Huben who defended well throughout, made a fine break to set up another opportunity. Thomas Hayes came on and caused the tiring defence several problems. All in all, a satisfactory performance which allows room for further improvement.
Naas AFC: D Horgan, J Huben, T. Woods, J Coyle, B. Martin, B. Whelan, R. Roantree, D Lawlor, K Vinicius Da Silva, C. Duignan, A. O’Maitiú. Subs: T Hayes for C. Duignan [55th], B Gill for Whelan,
[65th] M Fennessy for Da Silva [60th]
DDSL U-14B1. Naas AFC : 3 – St. Maelruan’s: 2 January 17th 2009.
League fixtures resumed after the Christmas break on Saturday at the Sports Centre where the weather was at times very windy, wet and cold. Naas played down hill hoping to gain an advantage by using the wind and slope in the first half. While Naas had some early chances, the visitors played some good football on the ground against the wind and had some breaks. Midway through the half, a Naas corner was cleared as far as the edge of the area where Kaio Da Silva hit a powerful half-volley high towards the top of the net, the goalie ot a hand to the ball but could not stop the goal. Naas were making some good passing moves with Whelan, O'Maitiú and Duignan but a mixup in defence led to an equaliser. Shortly after, a powerful run from midfield
led to the lead for the visitors. Naas had a major task in the second half but followed the example of the visitors by passing on the ground. Some reorganisation at half-time bore fruit. A very good move involving some slick passing between Da Silva, the overlapping Tom Woods and Luke White led to a decisive score by White. Naas took the initiative and continued to press with White passing to Cian Duignan who tucked away the lead goal. The match developed into an exciting contest with play switching from end to end. Naas continued to create chances while blocking the visitors who had a succession of corners as the wind speed increased to gale force. Keeper Darragh Horgan dealt well with several shots, especially when punching a blasted goal-bound free that flew onwards for 150 metres. Throughout, there were very committed and consistent performances from Murray, Roantree and Coyle. Despite the growingly terrible conditions, Naas maintained their lead and took three most valuable points to skip above their visitors in the League table to be well placed for the sixteen games to come.
Naas AFC: D. Horgan, E. Murray, T. Woods, J. Coyle, B. Martin, B. Whelan, R. Roantree, D. Lawlor, K. Vinicius Da Silva, C. Duignan, A. O’Maitiú. Subs: L White for B Martin (35th), K. O’Reilly for C Duignan (50th), T Hayes for B Whelan (55th), B Gill.
DDSL U-14B1. Naas AFC : 1 – Willows FC: 1 21st February 2009.
After another three week break due to unplayable pitches, Naas resumed their league campaign. Naas started at a good pace and seemed on the verge of overwhelming the visitors but only managed to score once when Cian Duignan reacting quickest to a dangerous Adam O’Maitiú corner that flew into the 6 yard box, bundled the ball over the line. Chances came and were spurned and Naas were perhaps fortunate with an off-side call in their favour but paid the price of missed chances when a corner that should have been intercepted surprised a defender and rebounded to the net. Naas closed out the game under pressure due to missed chances.
Naas AFC: D. Horgan, J Huben, D. Lawlor, J. Coyle, T. Woods, B. Whelan, R. Roantree, L White, K. Vinicius Da Silva, C. Duignan, A. O’Maitiú. Subs: T Hayes for R. Roantree.
DDSL U-14B1. Naas AFC : 1 – Leixlip Utd: 1 28th February 2009.
Naas took an early lead when Cian Duignan followed up a Luke White shot that the keeper fumbled and tapped in. This early good fortune did not reflect the game which was well contested and the result could have gone to either team. The visitors were strongest on the left wing and a great struggle developed between the left winger and Eoin Murray where pace and strength were well matched. Jack Huben was also ready to assist in nullifying this threat. Luke White is playing his way back from injury but covered much ground and Thomas Hayes is developing stamina and a will to battle with every game. Michael Fennesy came on at centre-back for the injured Jack Coyle and performed well including a deft goal-stopping tackle where another player might have conceded a penalty. Kaio Da Silva was a threat for Naas throughout. The visitors equalised with a powerful drive from distance and the game swung from end to end in a close encounter.
Naas AFC: D. Horgan, E Murray. D. Lawlor, J. Coyle, B. Martin, J Huben, A. O’Maitiú. L White, K. Vinicius Da Silva, C. Duignan, T Hayes. Subs: M Fennessy for J Coyle (45th ), B. Whelan for T Hayes (55th ), B Gill, K O’Reilly, T. Woods,
DDSL u-14B1 – Naas AFC : 1 vs. St Teresa’s: 2 . 7th March 2009
Naas played the team that defeated them in the Cup who are also the current League leaders on Saturdayon a morning that was mercifully dry although the wind was strong and blowing down the hill on pitch 3. This was only the second time this season that the team had successive games on three weekends and the continuity and a great deal of effort and determination from all led to probably the best performance of the season. The result was a loss but Naas defended heroically into the wind and up the hill in the first half and indeed created more clear chances which were not taken due to a combination of very sharp shotstopping by the visiting goalie and some hesitancy in shooting positions. The visitors had several good and fast players and showed calmness and skill in playing a passing game from defence. The determination in the Naas defence was led by Jack Coyle who was first to most tackles and airborne attacks. The other back three, Eoin Murray, Michael Fennessy and Billy Martin were also almost faultless. At half-time Naas were down to a single goal from a move that should have been cut out in midfield but given the conditions and the confidence of the visitors, they did very well. The resilience of the visitors was exemplified by one sequence when Kaio da Silva broke free of his markers again, his shot was hooked off the line, his follow up was blocked by the keeper and, regaining possession, his next move, a pass led to a shot that was also blocked.
Naas took the game to the visitors in the second half and opened up their defence many times but good saves and indecision let the visitors’ goal unbreached. St Teresa’s doubled their lead from a breakout that seemed offside but Naas showed character in continuing to press and eventually, a danger corner from Adam O’Maitiú went across goal where Karl O’Reilly was quick to knock it in the net. Naas pressed with even more vigour, despite several injuries and were thwarted by three agile saves from the keeper.
Naas AFC: D Horgan, E Murray, J Coyle, M Fennessy, B. Martin, J Huben, R. Roantree, A. O’Maitiú, L White, C. Duignan, K Vinicius Da Silva:. Subs: K O’Reilly for C. Duignan [50] T. Woods for Huben [55], B Gill for R. Roantree [60], T Hayes for Da Silva [60].
DDSL u-14B1 – Celbridge Town: 1 vs. Naas AFC : 2 14th March 2009
Naas travelled the short distance to Celbridge on Saturday to play a team that had had several close results andthe game turned out to be a close encounter. There was quite a strong breeze behind Naas in the first half and they had the bulk of possession. A new frontline took a little time to gell but gradually passing improved and chances came. The lead goal resulted from a
run from Kaio Vinicius DaSilva whose pass from the backline was met by a controlled volley from incoming Jack Huben whose shot was directed into the corner. Further chances came for Huben, Luke White and Thomas Hayes but the target was elusive. Celbridge attacks were mostly on the counter but the back four of Naas worked well for each other assisted by a very good work ethic throughout the team.
Naas faced the wind in the second half but continued to have more possession and pressed in the home side’s half. Chances came and went and against the balance of play, the home team scored with a cracking shot midway through the half. Fresh legs came on for Naas and it was a combination from Billy Martin and Ben Whelen set up Karl O’Reilly on the endline for a low, strongly-hit cross that the ever-moving Thomas Hayes met on the back post to crack the winner. Barry Gill replaced Luke White who was tiring, understandably given the amount of running done, and carved out a couple of shots that forced the keeper make good saves. Naas could have made this a more comfortable win by taking more chances but have now had a chance to create some momentum after having matches on four successive weekends for the first time in a weather-beaten season.
Naas AFC: D Horgan ( Capt.), E Murray, J Coyle, D Lawlor, B. Martin, J Huben, R. Roantree, A. O’Maitiú, T Hayes, L White, K Vinicius Da Silva . Subs: K O’Reilly & B Whelan for K Vinicius Da Silva & A. O’Maitiú, [50], B Gill for L White [60], T. Woods.
DDSL U−14B1: Naas AFC : 3 v Celbridge Town: 2 8th April, 2009.
Naas completed the double over their Kildare neighbours in a sporting encounter at the NSC. Scorers for Naas were Adam O'Maitiu with a fine lob, Thomas Hayes with a back−post completion and Karl O'Reilly doing a similar job on the other back post.
AFC: J. Coyle, B Gill, E Murray, D. Lawlor, B Martin, T Hayes, B. Whelan, A. O'Maitiu, J Huben, K O'Reilly, C. Duignan, Subs: L White for C Duignan (36th )
DDSL U−14B1.Raheny United : 1 vs Naas AFC :2 6th May, 2009.
Naas made the long midweek journey to St Anne's Park but went home happywith both the performance and the points. The pitch was very wide and long which suited the passing and running of the Naas side who were lifted by a cracking early strike from Karl O'Reilly who found space at the left edge of the box and whacked to the far corner. The home side were not easily thwarted and it took some good saves and anticipation from keeper Horgan to keep them at bay, assisted by a stronger and committed performance from the back line well led by skipper David Lawlor. In midfield, Ben Whelan had another strong game alongside Ruairs Roantree in the centre while Adam O'Maitiu and Thomas Hayes were very industrious and creative on the flanks.
Naas took the game to the home team in the second half and had a long spell of dominance and made chances and the result was made more secure by a fine finish from Cian Duignan although the home team took heart from a goal five minutes from time. Thus Naas achieved a double over the hosts as they won at home long ago in September.
Naas AFC: D Horgan, B Gill, E Murray, D. Lawlor, B Martin, T Hayes, B. Whelan, R Roantree, A. O'Maitiu, K O'Reilly, C. Duignan, Subs: J. Coyle & J Huben
for Hayes and Gill (60th)
DDSL U-14B1. Willows FC : 0 vs Naas AFC : 3 9th May, 2009.
Naas travelled to Ballymun on the back of a good midweek away win but without a couple of regulars. The pitch in Popintree was a major contrast to Wednesday’s in St Anne’s being scarcely up to regulation size. Naas had a strong breeze at their backs in the first half and gradually began to create more chances than the home team through committed energy throughout the pitch. Adam O’Maitiú drew first blood after ten minutes when he flighted a left-wing corner to dip inside the back post with the keeper grasping air. The small field made the encounter crowded but Ben Whelan showed the ability to make space for a pass in midfield and Jack Huben and Karl O’Reilly caused problems for the home defence with their touch. The game was by no means one-sided and keeper Darragh Horgan showed bravery and skill in blocking and gathering both through balls and shots, mostly from distance but on occasions from attackers who broke the defence.
The second half was not long on when Adam O’Maitiú scored a second. Billy Martin knocked over a fine free kick from the left, the Naas lads timed their runs well, Thomas Hayes placed the ball back across the face of the goal and O’Maitiú pounced to lash to the net. The home side continued to press but the defence performed really well with the whole back line playing with
commitment and bravery, especially full-backs Barry Gill and Billy Martin who stood up to bigger direct opponents. Jack Coyle played a new role as stopper in midfield and performed well. The result was put beyond doubt ten minutes from the end when Ben Whelan seized on a rebound from a John Catriz shot and from the edge of the box, planted a Gerrard-like finish to the top corner. The team had the satisfaction of a good win and should be proud of the clean sheet against tough opposition.
Naas AFC: D Horgan, B Gill, E Murray, D. Lawlor, B Martin, T Hayes, B. Whelan, J. Coyle, A. O’Maitiú, K O’Reilly, J Huben, Subs: J. Catriz for J Huben (60th)
