Navan men stay at the top with a hard-earned victory

Navan stayed top of the Leinster Men's Div 4 Hockey League with a fine 2-0 win against title challengers Corinthians at King's Hospital on Saturday.

Navan took the game to the visitors in the opening half, but goals were hard to come by as a lack of composure and solid defending kept them out.

Chris Booth was unlucky not to finish after he got around the Corinthians defence and Ru Clarke saw his shot narrowly fly past the far post when he connected with Philip Garry’s tasty pull back.

Navan began the second-half brightly with a Philip Garry 'goal' disallowed, but the breakthrough came when Eamon Lynskey drove a free hit into the area. James McQuade was on hand to deflect the ball home.

Although the game was played in good spirits, Clarke also picked up a green card for dissent, leaving Navan again with 10 men on the pitch.

Clarke then piled the pressure on his teammates when he came back to the pitch, his green card upgraded to a yellow after he again remonstrated with the umpire. 

Navan held firm in his absence with solid displays from Bryan Harley, Rory Davis and Shane O’Brien in defence proving too much for Corinthians. 

When Clarke finally returned he duly made up for his transgressions by scoring a vital second goal from a penalty corner drag flick.
LADIES

Navan produced a fine performance against a good Loreto side despite losing 0-2.

Loreto tested the Navan defence, but Eimear Hardiman and Rhona Murphy were solid while Karen Dunne was a pillar of strength between the posts and was forced to make numerous saves throughout the first half.

Navan's best chances were created by Jackie Shiels at midfield with Louise Byrne, Bronagh Markey and Helen Heaney going close.

Loreto claimed their goals by overloading the D. They attacked in waves and after some spectacular clearances from Dunne, Niamh Curtin, Brianne Lynch and Kathlyn Newman Loreto made the breakthrough.
 

SECOND TEAM

Navan 2nds travelled for this game against Corinthians with only 11 players and depite a gallant performance were well beaten (6-0).
The Navan women were under pressure from the outset as the Dublin hosts hit six goals without reply in what was a one-sided opening half.

However, Navan produced a more determined second-half performance and with both Aoife Heaney and Samantha Simari making an impact they were well in the game after the resumption.

Eirin Dames was outstanding and was the team's saviour between the posts. 

She held strong in the face of the biggest pressure a goalie can face, saving two penalty flicks. 

She also ensured that Corinthians did not score again in the second-half when the Navan side finally settled into the game.

Her display was one to mark her out as a star for the future in the Leinster League.