Match Report: Connemara v Naas 5th April 2008
Connemara 29-Naas 25
Connemara end season in style and move up to a well deserved 5th place in division three of AIL.
How things can change in a few weeks, from worries of retaining senior status to a position just outside the top four playoff positions.
This postponed game gave Connemara an opportunity to show their true potential in a match that had no real bearing on the outcome of division three, as both teams were secure.
However, Connemara were well aware that a win would move them into 6th place and a bonus point would move them into 5th place. The question was how badly did Naas want to win this game.
Connemara started well despite a large number of changes to the team; Alan Keogh out with a hand injury, John O’Brien away with the Irish squad, Bernard Keaney, Paddy O Toole and Ollie DeLappe unable to make this game because of previous arrangements.
But as before, their replacements all stepped up to the mark and played in true Connemara style.
After some great build-up play, in the sixth minute Bennie Bester finished off a great move to score on the right. The try was converted by Troy Nathan 7-0 Connemara It looked like Connemara were on their way but Nass had other ideas and in the 15th minute Nass No.11 Fitzgerald went in on the left for a well worked try leaving score 7-5 to Connemara.
In the 23 minute Nass went ahead from a penalty scored by No.10 Aherne- 8-7 to Nass.
After some good play Kevin Ward, who was having a great game taking on the Naas defence went in for a great, 12-8 to Connemara. With the home side playing against a strong wind could we dare dream of the bonus point? Naas were not giving up and went in for a try just before half time, 13-12 to Naas.
The game was now set for a great second half and after 2 minutes Connemara were on the board with a penalty by Troy Nathan, 15-13 Connemara. At this stage Naas got on top and in the 5th minute went in for a try which was converted, 20-15 Naas. This was followed in the 10th minute with another Naas try from Melville.
The score now stood at 25-15 Naas. At this stage Connemara would settle for a win and in the 12th minute this was made possible with a wonderful try by Peter O’Toole and this time no one was going to take it off him. The try was converted by Troy, 25-22 Naas.
The game was on and you could sense Connemara smelt success. In the 19th minute Connemara robbed the ball from Naas in their own half and Troy Nathan ran the length of the pitch to finish his season and that of Connemara on a high. The try was converted leaving the score 29-25. The final stages were played out with both sides giving it their best but it was Connemara’s day and when the final whistle blew there was great celebrations which went on into the night.
A great season for Connemara and while the future is always hard to tell this season saw a lot of the younger players making their way into senior rugby and this can only be good.
(P.Walshe)
