Naas (Kildare) 1-15 Cuala (Dublin) 2-15
The pretender to the throne?
Niall O'Callaghan, younger brother of King Con, certainly suggested so with a thrilling performance for Cuala, and 1-05 in all, to help secure a first-ever win for the Dublin club in the Leinster SFC.
Dublin superstar Con was influential too, scoring three important points in Newbridge, but this was younger brother Niall's evening as he collected the player of the match award.
Luke Keating's early goal was significant for the first-time Dublin champions too while substitute Conor Groarke drilled three points in the final quarter to shake off a determined Naas.
Naas 0-01 Cuala 1-00
— RTÉ GAA (@RTEgaa) November 9, 2024
Luke Keating slides in fire home from close range after Niall O'Callaghan's shot was half-blocked
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Hosts Naas contested provincial finals in 2021 and 2023 and put in a strong performance, but couldn't match the power and sheer quality of the Dalkey side who underlined their favourites tag in the province in front of the live TV cameras.
Cuala, managed by former Mayo and Wicklow forward Austin O'Malley, will return to the province on the weekend of 23/24 November to face the winners of tomorrow's quarter-final between Tullamore (Offaly) and Tinahely (Wicklow).
It was novel opposition for Naas who surely figured they'd have to be significantly better than they were in the county final - and they duly delivered.
Some of their first-half scores were sumptuous, like Darragh Kirwan's terrific catch and kick effort in the 10th minute, all while holding off Dublin legend Michael Fitzsimons.
Kirwan finished the half with four points, all from play, and had several different Cuala defenders for company at various stages.
Kirwan left Danny Conroy in his wake later in the half when he burst in along the left endline and fisted over.
Alex Beirne kicked a series of wides in the low-scoring county final defeat of Celbridge but was more efficient this time.
He drilled two first-half points, both from frees, as the hosts contributed to a cracking game.
The O'Callaghan brothers, Con and Niall, were the chief attacking threats at the other end.
Mark Maguire was a late addition to the Naas defence, wearing number 22, and tracked Con.
Niall created Cuala's first goal in the fourth minute with a hard run down the left and a shot that was saved, allowing Keating to tap home from close range.
Cuala added seven more points after that in the half and the O'Callaghan brothers struck six of them, three each.
Cuala held a narrow 1-07 to 0-09 lead at the interval but it was anyone's game.
Naas 0-11 Cuala 2-10
— RTÉ GAA (@RTEgaa) November 9, 2024
The O'Callaghan brothers combine to devastating effect as Con sets up younger brother Niall for Cuala’s second goal
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O'Malley's crew seized the initiative in the third quarter, stretching the gap to five points when Niall O'Callaghan was fed by Con for Cuala's second goal in the 40th minute.
It was a terrific back and forth with both defences offering up chances though Cuala still led by five points with just eight minutes remaining after Niall O'Callaghan's latest point, 2-13 to 0-14.
Naas made sure it went to the wire with a spirited final few minutes, a Beirne 53rd minute goal bringing it back to just a two-point game.
Naas 1-14 Cuala 2-13
— RTÉ GAA (@RTEgaa) November 9, 2024
A sensational goal from Alex Beirne brings Naas roaring back into the contest with less than 10 minutes remaining
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Beirne fired across the goalkeeper with a low drive after a great run down the right wing.
But they couldn't get any closer than that and Groarke's strong contribution from the bench helped to seal a landmark win for Cuala.
Cuala: Ryan Scollard (0-01, 0-01 45); Danny Conroy, Charlie McMorrow, Eoghan O'Callaghan; David O'Dowd (0-02), Michael Fitzsimons, Eoin Kennedy; Peadar O Cofaigh Byrne, Peter Duffy; Niall O'Callaghan (1-05), Cillian Dunne, Cal Doran; Luke Keating (1-01, 0-01f), Con O'Callaghan (0-03, 0-02f), Conor O'Brien
Subs: Michael Conroy for Dunne h/t, Conor Groake (0-03) for O'Brien 49, Cathal O Giollain for O'Dowd 60, Luke Tracey for McMorrow 60.
Naas: Luke Mullins; Conor McCarthy, Mark Maguire, Robert Fitzgerald; Eoin Lawlor, Eoin Doyle, Brian Byrne; James Burke, Paul McDermott; Alex Beirne (1-03, 0-02f), Tom Browne (0-02), Paddy McDermott (0-03); Ryan Sinkey (0-01), Darragh Kirwan (0-05), Dermot Hanafin.
Subs: Neil Aherne for Browne 36, Cathal Daly for Fitzgerald 42, Sean Hanafin (0-01) for Sinkey 45, Kevin Cummins for Paul McDermott 57, Elliott Beirne for Lawlor 57.
Referee: David Coldrick (Meath).
