CUALA manager Austin O’Malley reckons a Dublin recall is not out of the question for Niall O’Callaghan — King Con’s little brother.
It is not often that Dublin superstar Con is overshadowed on a pitch but sibling Niall did just that under the new lights in Newbridge.
Niall’s 1-5 haul helped the first-time Dublin champions claim their maiden win in the province.
All the talk beforehand was whether Con would play after picking up a red card in the county final.
It was eventually overturned and the decorated attacker lined out as usual, sniping three important points.
But it was Niall who displayed the family stamp of class across a thrilling 60 minutes — earning him the man of the match award.
READ MORE ON GAA FOOTBALL
Cuala’s reward is a semi-final clash with Offaly’s Tullamore or Tinahely of Wicklow who play today in Aughrim.
That last-four tie will be on the weekend of November 23/24.
Luke Keating netted for Cuala too while sub Conor Groarke chipped in with an important three points to finally shake off Naas.
But Niall O’Callaghan was the name on everyone’s lips and his performance may have earned him another chance in blue.
He has played briefly under Dessie Farrell already and Cuala boss O’Malley said of a recall: “I wouldn’t be surprised if that ever happened for him.
“He obviously has the pedigree and the quality is there so it’s probably a decision that if he did get a call he’d have to make but I’m happy enough to have him here with me anyway.
“His work ethic throughout and his dropping back, his covering of so much ground, it was a brilliant, brilliant evening.
“But look, I thought all the guys, to a man, they all stood up in different ways and that’s what was needed.”
Four-in-a-row Kildare champions Naas were desperate to finally push on in Leinster after final failures in 2021 and 2023.
They lost no face in defeat because they pushed a strong Cuala side all the way.
Naas contributed to an excellent game with some sumptuous scores, like Darragh Kirwan’s terrific catch and kick effort in the tenth minute, all while holding off Dublin legend Michael Fitzsimons.
Kirwan finished the half with four points, and 0-5 for the game, and had several different Cuala defenders for company at various stages.
Naas full-forward Kirwan left Danny Conroy in his wake later in the half when he burst in along the left endline and fisted over.
Alex Beirne kicked a series of wides in the low-scoring county final defeat of Celbridge but was more efficient this time.
He drilled two first-half points, both from frees, as the hosts contributed to a cracking game.
The O’Callaghan brothers, Con and Niall, were the chief attacking threats at the other end.
Mark Maguire was a late addition to the Naas defence, wearing No 22, and tracked Con.
Niall created Cuala’s first goal in the fourth minute with a hard run down the left and a shot that was saved, allowing Keating to tap home from close range.
Cuala added seven more points after that in the half and the O’Callaghan brothers struck six of them, three each.
Cuala held a narrow 1-7 to 0-9 lead at the interval but it was anyone’s game.
O’Malley’s crew seized the initiative in the third quarter, stretching the gap to five points when Niall O’Callaghan was fed by Con for Cuala’s second goal in the 40th minute.
It was a terrific back and forth with both defences offering up chances though Cuala still led by five points with just eight minutes remaining after Niall O’Callaghan’s latest point, 2-13 to 0-14.
Naas made sure it went to the wire with a spirited final few minutes, a Beirne 53rd-minute goal bringing it back to just a two-point game.
Beirne fired across the goalkeeper with a low drive after a great run down the right wing.
But they could not get any closer than that and Groarke’s strong contribution from the bench helped to seal a landmark win for Dublin hotshots Cuala.
CUALA: R Scollard 0-1 45; D Conroy, C McMorrow, E O’Callaghan; D O’Dowd 0-2, M Fitzsimons, E Kennedy; P O Cofaigh Byrne, P Duffy; N O’Callaghan 1-5, C Dunne, C Doran; L Keating 1-1, 1f, C O’Callaghan 0-3, 2f, C O’Brien. Subs: M Conroy for Dunne h-t, C Groake 0-3 for O’Brien 49 mins, C Ó Giolláin for O’Dowd 60, L Tracey for McMorrow 60.
NAAS: L Mullins; C McCarthy, M Maguire, R Fitzgerald; E Lawlor, E Doyle, B Byrne; J Burke, Paul McDermott; A Beirne 1-3, 2f, T Browne 0-2, Paddy McDermott 0-3; R Sinkey 0-1, D Kirwan 0-5, D Hanafin. Subs: N Aherne for Browne 36 mins, C Daly for Fitzgerald 42, S Hanafin 0-1 for Sinkey 45, K Cummins for Paul McDermott 57, E Beirne for Lawlor 57.
REFEREE: D Coldrick (Meath).
