Underage Rugby 
Edenderry u19’s progressed through the Leinster League semi-finals after a hard fought 14-3 win at home to Naas. In what were great conditions for rugby there was a good number of supporters present on the day. And yet again, Edenderry faced a side with representative experience, with Naas having Leinster youths player Eoin Griffin at tighthead prop.
Edenderry began proceedings brightly, dominating in terms of possession and territory, but were unable to just get the crucial opening score. Yet, after wave after wave of attack, the home side were eventually awarded a penalty just outside the 22, which was converted by fly half Andrew Munnelly. As the game wore on, Naas began to gain more territory of their own. They had a glorious chance to level the game up, but their fly half missed a simple penalty. A couple of minutes later they were awarded another penalty further out, and this time the left winger stepped up and made no mistake to make it 3-3. The game at this stage was a very physical affair, and this was epitomised by a huge hit by inside centre Conor Brereton, which resulted in his opposite number dazed and he had to leave the field injured. The game was also a scrappy affair, with Edenderry edging it in territory.
Edenderry were given the chance to extend their lead with a penalty, and once again Munnelly was on the money to make it 6-3. The Edenderry number 10 was unlucky just before the end of the first half with another penalty which drifted just wide to leave it 6-3 at the interval.
The second half began much the same as the first had ended, with either side able to impose themselves on the game. Edenderry took a 9-3 lead when Munnelly sent a sweetly struck penalty between the posts from a wide position in another impressive kicking display. Naas then begin to really attack at Edenderry, and the home side spent a long period stuck in their own half. Though once again the defence stood up firm, with the scramble defence particularly strong. The best opportunities Naas had were two missed penalties from their winger.
Edenderry eventually got more of a foothold in the Naas half but were finding it difficult to break Naas down. The way side’s tackling was very good both around the fringes and out wide. But eventually, Edenderry got the game’s defining score. Derry moved the ball wide just inside their own half and the ball came to full back Anton Sullivan near the touchline. Sullivan took off outside the Naas cover to create a one-on-one with his opposite number. But Sullivan chipped over the Naas full back’s head and outpaced him in the chase to the
ball to touchdown for a great solo try. Munnelly was unlucky to strike post with the ensuing touchline conversion. This made it 14-3 to Edenderry. Naas came back at Derry but never really threatened and Derry saw the remainder of the game out. 14-3 at full time.
This was by no means the teams best performance of the season, but to win while not on form was a positive to take from the game, along with no concession of tries. Edenderry will now play their semi-final in the new year, when the cup campaign will also get underway.
TEAM: A Sullivan, R Brereton, G Papageorgiou, C Brereton, N Brothwood, A Munnelly, I Curry; P Evans, T Roche, M Bergin, PJ Cormican, B Holt, E Murphy, J Kavanagh, D Maloney. REPLACEMENTS: D Evans, D Moody, M McEnerney, C Toleman, O Kelly, S Feeney, R Healy.
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