Masters Division Cup Final.
Naas AFC 0 Maynooth Town AFC (A) 0
(Maynooth Town AFC win 5-4 on penalties after full time)
The curtain came down on the KDFL’s 2021 season on Sunday morning at Kilcullen Community Centre where Naas AFC took on new crowned Masters Champions Maynooth Town AFC in the Ace Sports Awards Masters Cup Final. Naas looking for their final chance at silverware while Maynooth were chasing the Master’s Double.
Maynooth Town started strong with the solid defence of Noel Payne, Niall Smyth and Fiachra Kirwan. All three strong in their tackles and smart with the ball. Captain Niall Smyth led from the back and gave his team the confidence to push on and attack. Noel Payne picked up a loose ball in Maynooth’s Half. Mikey O Halloran made a run between the Naas defence and Payne picked him out with the perfect pass to create one of Maynooth Town's first chances at goal after five minutes. Tom Halton and Gerry Bowen controlled midfield with Halton breaking down any Naas’s attacks and Bowen's creativity and trickery causing havoc to the Naas midfield. Naas were not without their chances also as Damien Reynolds and Shane Boyle were causing all kinds of problems for the Maynooth rear guard.
Maynooth’s Alex Segujja was a powerhouse. Segujja made life difficult for Naas AFC and his strength and power was unmatched on the pitch. Paul O Kearney and Mikey O Halloran up top linked up well and created opportunities for Maynooth. Naas struggled with the presence and skill of Paul O Kearney and O Halloran's movement was as always excellent. Naas’s Jimmy Murray almost put them ahead just before the break but his left footed effort was expertly dealt with by Butler in the Maynooth goal.
It was end to end action played at a blistering pace by these two sides and Maynooth’s Ronan Kearney and Domhnall O Riordain worked hard up and down the wings, Kearney with great skill moving passed players and O Riordain beating four Naas players with a solo run creating the best chance of the game resulting in a good save by the Naas Keeper. At the other end the impressive John Corish was unlucky to see his effort well saved again by the Maynooth netminder. Maynooth made a substitution with Brendan McGowan replaced O Halloran up top and didn't waste any time impressing. He was the definition of an impact sub causing havoc for the Naas defence, creating a few chances after such a short time on the pitch. Colm Traynor replaced Payne in the second half and gave a solid performance like he has done all season.
Niall Smyth, Ronan Kearney, Noel Payne, Gerry Bowen and Domhnall O Riordain stepped up and slotted home their penalties in style leaving the Naas Keeper no chance. Erich Butler who has been a rock and a sensation for Maynooth Town this season saved the fifth penalty for a Maynooth win to see them capture the League and Cup double ending a great campaign for the North Kildare Club. Best for the winners were Smith in defence and Domhnall O Riordan while for Naas Corkish and Kavanagh were best.
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