Darragh Kirwan leads the way as Naas find more against St Loman's to reach Leinster club decider

St Loman's (Westmeath) 1-10 Naas (Kildare) 1-15

A star turn from Darragh Kirwan inspired Naas to a hard-earned win over St Loman's in Mullingar, thereby qualifying the Kildare champions for a Leinster senior club final slot against holders Kilmacud Crokes in two weeks’ time.

The heavy pre-match drizzle had just come to an end prior to the throw-in, but conditions were, understandably, still tricky for football. The home team had the aid of a useful wind in the first half and they were two points to the good after four minutes courtesy of a John Heslin free and a great score from play by Shane Dempsey.

However, Joe Murphy’s charges responded with three unanswered points from the boots of Kirwan (two, the second from a free) and Alex Beirne (a free). Peter Foy’s well-taken point (via Luke Mullins’ fingertips) in the 13th minute left the sides tied at 0-03 apiece at the end of the opening quarter.

Another Beirne free and a fine score by the ever-dangerous Kirwan nudged the Kildare champions ahead, but Loman’s replied with three good points via Kevin Regan, Danny McCartan (a mark), and a fabulous shot by Dempsey.

Kirwan equalised before Ronan O’Toole teed up Dempsey for a superb goal in the 24th minute. Danny McCartan added a fisted point, and Mullins then had to come to Naas’ rescue with an instinctive save from a palmed effort by Sam McCartan (at the end of a great delivery by O’Toole). Dermot Hanafin’s 29th-minute point left the visitors trailing by 1-07 to 0-07 at the interval.

Heslin slotted over a free in the opening minute of the second half. Beirne (a great solo point) and Heslin (another free) traded points, but the latter score in the 39th minute proved to be the last addition to the scoreboard in regulation time for