Navan men and women win in hockey league

Hosts Navan picked up another important Leinster Ladies Hockey League Div 5 win when they shocked title-chasing Monkstown with a 1-0 vicory last weekend.

The game was very much a physical battle from the off and Navan used home advantage and battled hard on the grit, playing the long ball to the forward line. 

Aisha Oladapo stepping inside the D and winning a short corner proved the most pivotal piece of play. 

Helen Heaney stepped up from the sweeper position to inject the ball in towards Mags Kilcooley who struck hard. 

The 'keeper did well to save but Bronagh Markey had rushed in and pushed the ball towards the goals once more, where it took a deflection off the keeper's shin pads but the waiting Heaney was eagled eyed and finished cleanly with a sweep to claim the only goal of the match.

Monkstown fought hard and the rigid defence of the Navan side was crucial. 

Karen Dunne made some excellent saves while Brianne Lynch, Eimear Hardiman and Rhona Murphy were solid.

Carla Mae Banks, Kilcooley and Clodagh Lyons worked tirelessly in the mids and were key play makers in launching attacking plays. 

Katie Maguire also putting in a worthy performance on her first run out with the first team.

With three teams being relegated this year it is all to play for at home next weekend against UCD for the final game of the season.

NAVAN LADIES FIRST TEAM

The Navan ladies hockey team is battling against relegation and face a crucial game this weekend. The players who were on duty for the win against Monkstown (from left) were: back - Aisha Oladapo, Katie Maguire, Helen Heaney, Brianne Lynch, Louise Byrne, Bronagh Markey, Niamh Curtin; front - Eimear O’Carroll, Carla Mae Banks, Mags Kilcooley, Karen Dunne, Eimear Hardiman, Rhona Murphy, Clodagh Lyons.

SECOND TEAM 

Another home game for the seconds saw them dismiss UCD by 3-0 in what proved to be a stellar performance from the Navan side. Aoife Heaney was the star player with a hat-trick for the Navan side. UCD are never easily defeated and Eirin Dames kept a strong head and more importantly a clean sheet for a deserved win.

MEN

Navan completed a double over second from bottom Kilkenny with this 3-0 away win as they close in on the Leinster Men's Hockey League Div 4 title.

This was an immense team effort with some superb defensive displays and some more goal scoring heroics as Chris Booth bagged a brace in the first-half with Philip Garry sealing the victory in the second.

Despite the scoreline, Kilkenny posed a threat from the first minute and probably should have made the most of some early short corners. 

Navan held out however, aided by some excellent tackling by Rob Bagnall and Rory Davis. 
Another powerhouse display from Bryan Harley at centre back coupled with Eamon Lynskey's aerial threat nullified the Kilkenny high press.

As the second-half wore on, the game stretched, with Kilkenny gaining more possession on the Navan left wing. 

Rob Bagnall and James McQuade were up to the task, and some solid tackling through midfield and defence ensured Emmett O Mordha's goal remained safe. 

After another short corner broke down, Ru Clarke slipped the ball to Garry, who struck home via a small deflection to complete the victory.

Substitutes Rory Nulty and Sean Kearns maintained the pace of Navan's play and late chances for Keith Howell and Garry kept Kilkenny at bay.

Navan face a crucial clash with Railway Union this weekend.

DIVISION 4 TABLE
                     P  W D L F A   Pts
Navan          16 10 2 4 39 33 32
Naas            16   8 5 3 45 32 29
Railway U    15   9 0 6 56 31 27
Corinthians  15   7 4 4 37 38 25
N Kildare      16  7 4 5 35 37 25
Three Rock   16  6 6 4 43 33 24
Mullingar       15  6 2 7 31 31 20
Pembroke     16  4 3 9 33 42 15
Kilkenny        15  3 4 8 38 43 13
Dublin North 16   2 2 12 24 61 8
NEXT UP

SATURDAY 30th MARCH
Leinster Men's Div 4 - Navan v Railway Union.
Leinster Ladies Div 5 - Navan v UCD.

SATURDAY 13th APRIL
 Leinster Men's Div 4 - Dublin North v Navan.