Navan RFC retain AIL 1B status for 2020 /2021

Navan RFC will retain AIL Div 1B status for 2020 / 2021 following a decision tonight by the IRFU Rugby Committee.

The directive applies to all incomplete national and provincial competitions. 

That means that bottom-of-the-table in AIL Div 1B Navan, with one win all season, will compete at the same grade when the new season kicks-off next September or October.

Good news for Navan who managed three successive promotions from 2C to 1B and they will also benefit from this year's experience with a young team.

There will be no promotion or relegation in any of the five divisions of the Energia Men’s All-Ireland League.

It also means that Leinster League Div 1A champions Ashbourne will miss out on the AIL play-offs against opposition from Ulster, Connacht and Munster for a place in Div 2C next season.

Cups will be shared by finalists, where cup competitions have reached the final fixture.

“The decision to end the domestic rugby season for 2019/2020 season has not been made lightly," 
commented IRFU Director of Rugby Development Colin McEntee

"All options were discussed and the IRFU is satisfied it has arrived at the only equitable solution," he added.

Yesterday, the GAA announced a delayed start to the championships with the postponement of the New York v 
Galway first round tie.

A decision is still awaited on the National Football Leagues with two rounds remaining.

The League of Ireland is also on hold at the moment with action unlikely to resume until after the end of April
at the earliest.