O'Callaghan brothers to the fore as Cuala see off Naas

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

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