KDFL Division 1 Cup Final.
(Report by Wayne ‘Bubba’ Doyle)
St.Anthonys Youths FC 4 Naas United FC 3
The Division One Cup final promised an electrifying showdown between Naas United and St. Anthony's Youths from Kilcullen at Canal Road, Rathangan. St. Anthony's showcased their strength by decisively defeating both Newbridge United and Clane United to earn their place in the final. Meanwhile, Naas United confidently triumphed over Bush Celtic and Sallins Celtic. As the reigning champions, St. Anthony's had previously claimed victory against Naas United's Premier side in last year's intense final.
Finals often see teams playing defensively, but both squads consistently demonstrated an aggressive pursuit of goals throughout the league campaign. This ensured a large crowd gathered, excited for what was bound to be a thrilling display of football. The match turned out to be a captivating contest filled with dramatic moments, though the weather conditions severely affected both teams' ability to play the ball on the ground.
St. Anthony’s Youths played with the wind at their backs in the first half, aiming to establish early control. Matt Drewett tried to get the team on the front foot from the opening kick-off, taking every opportunity to play out from the back and involving Rob Ryan, Aaron Ngal, and Dean Powell in the early exchanges. Naas managed the initial onslaught admirably, displaying blistering speed on the counterattack, with Travis O'Neill and Joe Murray capitalizing on any ball directed their way.
Naas got the breakthrough in the ninth minute when crafty playmaker Nolan whipped an exquisite ball across the box, allowing Travis O'Neill to convert brilliantly under serious pressure from Tony Pearson. Both sides struggled with the difficult wind, but St. Anthony's made better use of the conditions, working off target man Kevin Kelly. The Kilcullen side equalized when Ross Cahill was fouled twenty yards from goal. Tom Healy stepped up and struck a free kick that took a wicked deflection off the wall, leaving Owen Giblin with no chance to stop it, levelling the score after twenty-two minutes.
There were a couple of warning signs for Naas as St. Anthony's seized the advantage of the strong wind. A tough battle materialized in midfield, with Aaron Ngal, Ross Cahill, and Dean Powell waging war against Ver Nolan, Stephen Tilly, and Scott O’Neill, battling fiercely for control. St. Anthony's took the lead with half an hour played when Tom Healy delivered a vicious corner kick that flew into the roof of the net, aided by the wind.
Not deterred, Naas immediately pressed forward again, led by Bubba Doyle and Henry Dunne, who aimed to build momentum from the back. However, Naas were guilty of being overly aggressive in their challenges, leading to unnecessary free kicks that gave St. Anthony's opportunities to set up set-pieces. Aaron Ngal was a constant threat for St. Anthony's with his direct running through the midfield. His combination play with Healy worked effectively, putting St. Anthony's ahead 2-1 in a fiercely contested first half.
Naas came out full of vigour at the start of the second half, trying to make the strong wind work to their advantage. Travis O'Neill came close on two separate occasions after good approach play by Bubba Doyle and Scott O'Neill. Cormac Barker was a massive presence in goal for St. Anthony's. He did brilliantly to smother several Naas attacks, and his distribution was excellent. Tom Healy seemed to have the Midas touch again, cutting inside and taking a shot from twenty yards that deflected off Rob Ryan and slipped past Giblin, further increasing St. Anthony's lead against the run of play. It looked ominous for Naas, as they had conceded not one but two deflected efforts; full credit must go to St. Anthony's for working the opportunities effectively.
Naas never threw in the towel and made several changes, with Liam Marshall, Adam Greenhaul, Ben Loughlin, and Owen Moran coming on, giving them a different edge up top. Shane McGann, Nick Langan, Matt Drewett, and Tony Pearson endured a sustained spell of pressure, but they didn't buckle, making some fantastic interceptions and tackles in the process. St. Anthony's seemed content to defend their lead against the strong wind and hit Naas on the counterattack, with Tom Healy as the outlet. Naas huffed and puffed but struggled to break down a well-organized St. Anthony's, rearguard.
Naas utilized the wind effectively on set pieces, and Scott O’Neill delivered a pinpoint corner that Bubba Doyle headed just over the crossbar with fifteen minutes remaining. The weather had a significant impact on set pieces, and it was St. Anthony's turn to feel the effects, as Scott O’Neill delivered a vicious, wind-assisted corner that was turned in by a St. Anthony's defender, cutting the lead to one and giving Naas a lifeline with nine minutes remaining. Dean Powell exhibited a calm presence in midfield to keep his team composed. Sensing that the game was far from over, Naas poured everyone forward in search of that elusive equalizer. They were rewarded as the ball bounced around the box. Henry Dunne struck a snapshot through a mass of bodies. It struck Nick Langan's hand, and the referee pointed to the spot under serious protest. Up stepped Liam Marshall who converted brilliantly after Cormac Barker got a strong hand on it to level the game a minute over the Ninety. The game looked poised for extra time but credit to Anthony's they were immediately on the front foot and when Ross Coogan found a yard of space inside the Naas penalty area, Stephen Tilly made what looked like an expertly timed tackle, and the referee had a slightly impeded view, but pointed to the spot to the dismay of the Naas crowd. An unbelievable two penalties in two minutes. Up stepped Rob Ryan who calmly slotted home to give Antos the lead right at the Death. An intense final that had elements of everything. Naas will be bitterly disappointed, but the credit goes to St Anthony's Youths today, who retained their Division cup for the second year in succession after a hard-fought final. Best for Naas, Jamie Nulty, Henry Dunne Bubba Doyle, Scott O’Neill Stephen Tilly. Best for Anthony's Matthew Drewett Shane McGann Cormac Barker Dean Aaron Ngal Powell Rob Ryan, And more performances from Tom Healy
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