Feature game - Leisner Leader

Leinster Heat Pumps Senior Division 

Rathangan AFC 2 Naas United FC 2

Naas United were forced to settle for a 2–2 draw away to Rathangan in a fiercely contested encounter that saw the visitors dominate for long periods but ultimately fall short of taking all three points—dealing a major blow to their league title aspirations.

The match began poorly for Naas, with a sluggish and error-prone opening five minutes in midfield gifting Rathangan early possession. The home side punished them swiftly, breaking from a Naas corner to open the scoring in the 6th minute. Rathangan’s Colm Cunningham met the ball cleanly on the edge of the box, unleashing a brilliant volley that flew past Keith Higgins to give the hosts the lead.

Naas though, responded impressively. Jack Conway came close after controlling a long ball from John Paul Higgins with a deft touch, only to fire into the side netting. Shortly after, Niall Faherty weaved through defenders at the edge of the area but dragged his shot just wide.

Growing in confidence, Naas began to take control midway through the half. Niall Faherty and Paul Ometeso were linking up well, causing the Rathangan defence problems and earning two corners as pressure mounted. The deserved equalizer came in the 31st minute when Daragh Faherty burst down the left, beat two defenders, and fired a powerful strike past the keeper at the near post.

Three minutes later, Daragh turned provider, delivering a dangerous cross that Ometeso volleyed just over the bar. Naas nearly snatched the lead in the 36th minute when Niall Faherty’s excellent control and vision set Ometeso through one-on-one, but his effort rattled the post. Despite a dominant spell, the teams went into the break level at 1–1.

Naas came out strong again in the second half, with Travis O’Neill causing real problems down the right wing and twice nearly creating goal-scoring opportunities. But despite being on top, the visitors were punished for a defensive lapse. A loose pass at the back led to keeper Keith Higgins being forced to foul a Rathangan attacker just outside the box. From the resulting free kick, Rathangan’s Iain Doyle bent a perfect strike into the top corner to regain the lead in the 53rd minute.

Undeterred, Naas took control of the game once more, dominating possession and territory for the remainder of the match. John Paul Higgins, Daragh Faherty, and substitute Joe Mills all tested the Rathangan keeper, who pulled off a series of outstanding saves to keep his side ahead.

The breakthrough for Naas finally came in the 73rd minute. Niall Faherty, who had been instrumental all game, showed composure in midfield to slide a precise pass into the path of Paul Ometeso. The striker made no mistake, finishing calmly under the onrushing keeper to level the score.

Naas pushed relentlessly for a winner in the final stages, with Ometeso, Mills, and Ruben Maher all going close, but the elusive third goal never came. Rathangan held on to claim a point—just enough to derail Naas United’s title charge. Top performers for Naas included, man of the match Niall Faherty, whose vision and control drove the team forward, Jamie Dunne, strong and steady in defence, Scott O’Neill, who worked tirelessly in midfield and Paul Ometeso, who once again delivered a vital goal when it mattered.

For a very impressive Rathangan Colm Cunningham, Iain Doyle and Keith Scanlon excelled.