SCHOOLS RUGBY: DUFF SHIELD (JUNIOR) FINAL
Powerhouse second half showing overcomes Naas
NAAS CBS……………………………… 11
ST JOSEPH’S, DROGHEDA………….. 25
By Daire Walsh
THERE was disappointment for Naas CBS at Donnybrook last Wednesday afternoon, as they came up short against St Joseph’s, Drogheda in the Duff Shield Junior decider.
An opening half try from John Parker Crowe had given the Corban’s Lane outfit a fighting chance of securing the silverware on offer, but following subsequent scores by Robbie McAuley, David Lally and Evin McConnon for the County Louth school, they were ultimately on the receiving end of a 14-point defeat.
Naas – who are coached by Joe Kelly and Leinster CCRO Michael Cahill – enjoyed a memorable journey en route to this showpiece encounter. Having received a walkover from De La Salle Churchtown at the opening stage of the shield, they subsequently defeated St Mary’s, Enniscorthy (31-20) and Gorey Community School (38-10) with accomplished displays.
Joseph’s had impressed in their recent wins over Salesian College of Celbridge and Gormanston College, though, and their powerful pack caused problems for Naas during the early exchanges.
However, it was the south Kildare side who eventually broke the deadlock in the 11th-minute, when fly-half (and team captain) Jamie Osborne converted a penalty from just outside the Joseph’s ’22’. This looked like being a confidence building score for Naas, but they found themselves falling behind from the next attack of the game.
Joseph’s out-half Sean Healy was on point to charge down an attempted clearance by Naas, and he raced onto the loose ball to touch down for the opening try of the contest. He was wide of the mark from the resulting conversion attempt, but it was the Drogheda boys who now had their tails up.
Industrious number eight Emmanuel Nayarko was held up just before the line, but after Joseph’s prop Harry Lipscomb knocked forward on 21 minutes, Naas were awarded a penalty deep inside enemy territory.
A superb kick to the corner by Osborne edged Naas towards the opposition whitewash, and from a quick move, Cross powered over for an unconverted score.
This edged CBS into the ascendancy once again, but they suffered another hammer blow three minutes before the break – as a quick ‘tap and go’ by Joseph’s produced a try from McAuley.
As a result, Joseph’s brought a slender 10-8 lead into the second period, and they created further daylight between the teams when the action resumed.
With just two minutes gone in the half, a terrific Healy cross-field kick was gathered by McConnon – whose neat pass set-up pacy winger Lally for a try in the left-corner. Healy was again off-target with his third bonus strike of the day, and when they were awarded a penalty after 35 minutes, full-back Tadhg Donnelly assumed kicking duties.
He found the range in comfortable fashion from a distance of 35 metres, as a gap of ten points (18-8) opened up in the south Dublin venue. However, Naas were not willing to go down without a fight, and Osborne added to his personal tally with a routine close-range place-kick.
As the half developed, Naas probed for further scores, but a stern Joseph’s rearguard were securing penalties in vital areas. There was a large break in play as Drogheda lock James Tiernan received treatment for an injury, but after the play recommenced, the Greenbatter boys claimed an insurance score.
McConnon discovered space inside the Naas half, and broke free for a fourth Joseph’s try. Crowe did ground beyond the Joseph’s line for a second time on the stroke of 60 minutes, but after the play was called back for an earlier infringement, Naas’ challenge was finally brought to an end.
NAAS CBS: Paddy Kelly; Aaron Lowry, Jon Kehoe, Oran Lehane, Andrew McCormack; Jamie Osborne, Ciaran Hartnett; Ben Kehoe, James McGuinness, Cael Early; Hugh Murray, Jim Downey; Ciaran Hynes, Adam Farrell, John Parker Crowe.
Replacements: Sean Farrell for A Farrell (42), Tadhg Comerford for Kehoe (45).
ST JOSEPH’S, DROGHEDA: Tadhg Donnelly; Richard Clinton, Evin McConnon, Rory O’Neill, David Lally; Sean Healy, Joe Sayers; Robbie McAuley, Evan O’Reilly, Harry Lipscomb; Enda McEnteggart, James Tiernan; Stan Goodwin, Pablo Gomez, Emmanuel Nayarko.
Replacements: Ryan Delaney for Nayarko (47), Ryan Walsh for Tiernan (49).
Referee: Clive Wardrop (Leinster Rugby Referees).