Naas had six points to spare over Leixlip in the first rd. of the Leinster Leader Cup. Leixlip started strongly and with the aid of a Ciaran Fadian goal led 1 – 2 to 0 – 1 after thirteen minutes. Naas got more into the game and at half-time only two points separated the teams. Leixlip led 1 – 4 to 0 – 5.
Naas took control in the second half and scored nine points without reply to lead 0 – 14 to 1 – 4 with ten minutes left. In that period Leixlip scored three points to two for Naas but by that stage the game was over as a contest.
After two minutes the Leixlip goalkeeper Kevin Claffey converted a “forty five”. Centre-fielder Eoin Molloy made it 0 – 2 to nil after seven minutes. A Ronan Joyce free reduced the arrears but Ciaran Fadian goaled to give Leixlip a four point advantage. Shane Bergin and Ronan Joyce swapped points with Edmond Barrett(2). Two late Naas points left two between them at the interval .
Naas dominated the second half and scored nine points without reply from Ross Bergin(0 – 3), Ronan Joyce(0 – 3), Joey Cocoman(0 – 2), Brian Kane(0 – 1). With ten minutes to go Naas led 0 – 14 to 1 – 4. Leixlip replied with points from Patrick Meagher(0 – 2) and Sean Guiney. Naas got a late point from Joey Cocoman to complete the scoring.
Naas: Barry Reynolds, Ailin McDermott, Michael Mc Donald, John Hill, Paul Sullivan, Eoghan Bateman, Fiachra Piggott, Brian Kane(0 – 1), Ross Bergin(0 – 4). Shane Bergin(0 – 2), Neil Farragher, Joey Cocoman(0 – 3), John Joyce, Conor Ferguson, Ronan Joyce(0 – 6).
Leixlip: Kevin Claffey(0 – 1), Ivan Clancy, Robbie Roche, Kevin Connelly, Ciaran Fadian(1 – 0), Ryan Doyle, Dara McGlynn, Emmet Lambert, Eoin Molloy(0 – 1), Conor Egan, Cormac O’Toole, Patrick Meagher(0 – 2), Dessie Hynes, Niall Whyte, Edmond Barrett(0 – 2). Sub: Sean Guiney(0 – 1).
