Navan underage teams represent the club with honour

Tullamore10

Navan 39

Leinster League

Navan u-18s played Tullamore last season and again this year, despite the score line it was a tough encounter. The weather was wet and a sodden pitch made the going difficult. The initial 20 minutes was a tight affair with strong forward work from Niamh and Tara especially.

It was an arm wrestle with Meah and Chloe having to work hard on the ground to retain our own ball. A well-worked starter play off a scrum from Rosie got us on the scoreboard. Shortly after Tullamore responded in kind and five all.

Navan began to get go forward ball and eventually the backs got motoring and saw both Sarah’s score some nice tries.

Half time allowed the coaches to make some changes and saw Lillian Brady come back from an injury lay off the start to pull the strings in out-half. Setting up Allie for her first of the season. Alex who came on for Jade made an instant impact putting savage pressure on her opposite 9 to force a turn over and allowed Alex to score. (27:5) Tullamore struck back with a nice backs move (27:10)

Navan were keen to press the advantage they have with fitness and pushed hard in the final quarter. Spotting no Tullamore full back, Cara and Emma set up a kick chase that Emma finished off in style. Cara took over the kicking duties and slotted some conversions.

Not to be out done, Lillian capped her first game at this level with a nice solo try from her own half. (39:10).

The game ended and the Girls were all emotional as we said Goodbye and Good luck to Jade who leaves us to join Old Belvedere. Jade played since Mini’s with Navan and we have all seen her develop to the great player she is today.

Our next Game is Tullow away in the Cup 05/11/2022

Player of the Match: Lauren Fitzpatrick

Navan put up brave showing in Mullingar

Mullingar 36

Navan 5

Another tough day for our girls but signs of improvement with each passing game. Mullingar, last year's Premier league champions and Cup winners, were a strong well drilled side and have won all their games so far this season.

Navan managed to put them on the back foot at times and were rewarded with a try just before half time. In the second half Sadhbh Casserly and Anna-Mae Quinn were both unlucky not to get on the scoreboard with Sadhbh's effort inches short and Anna-Mae's judged a double movement.

Congratulations to the three girls, Molly Murphy, Jasmine O'Connor and Roisin Clarke taking part in their first competitive fixture. There were six more on the squad in their first season and all acquitted themselves very well.

Our try scorer, Ella O'Higgins is this week's Woman of the Match, always testing the Mullingar defence and defended well throughout the game.

Photo above back row (left to right) Molly Murphy, Grace Keogh, Lucy Delaney, Emma Hyland,Katie Kearney(capt), Ella o'higgins,Caitlin Ratty, Jasmine O'Connor, Ria Russell, Aoife White, Sadhbh Casserly, Anna Sherlock, Roisin Clarke

Front - Clodagh Gray, Aimee Kealy, Aibhe Walsh, Mia Keogh,Shera Creamer, Anna-Mae Quinn,Lizzie Sherlock.

NAVAN BOYS TOO STRONG FOR BOYNE

The Navan u-16 boys travelled to Boyne RFC for the final game in their North East league pool, knowing anything short of a win would leave them definitely mean they would finish outside the top two in their group.

A daunting challenge given that we faced Boyne four times last season and left each game without a win.

The game started brightly and aftercare some excellent carries, Thomas Kearns crashed over the line for try to make it Navan 5, Boyne 0.

Boyne came back strongly and were winning the breakdown. They scored a converted try to take the lead 7 - 5.

Navan were moving the ball well, and had a number of chances to get over, but some inaccuracy in the 22 meant we left empty handed. Boyne broke away for another try with 10mins to go, which was not converted moving into a 12-5 lead. Navan finished the half strongly, pinning Boyne back, however we were unable to cross the try line and went in at half time trailing 12-5.

The second half started brightly for Navan, with much improved competitiveness at the breakdown. Our all scrum was also gaining the upper hand. Sustained pressure on the goal line resulted in Boyne conceding a penalty try. 12 all, and game on.

Boyne once again showed why they were one of the top teams in Leinster last year, and fought their way back into the game, coming up with a try with 15mins to go to take a 17-12 lead.

However the Navan head did not drop, and despite going down to 14 men, they continued to compete at the breakdown, and keep Boyne under pressure. However the clock was ticking by, and despite sustained pressure, Navan were finding it very hard to breach a very strong Boyne defence.

But the pressure paid off and a fast break off a penalty had Rhys Dixon cross the try line to tie the match.

With six mins to go, James Donnelly slotted over the conversion from a tricky angle on on the right to take us into a 19-17 lead.

Right from the restart, Navan showed clear intent to hold on in the game and with a series of line breaks and pressure at the breakdown, worked the ball up into the Boyne 22.

Defence was the name of the game and for the final three minutes, Navan prevented Boyne from being able to exit their own half, thus sealing a great win.

While winning is always great feeling, probably of greater importance was the fact that we used all 21 players that attended with everyone getting some meaningful game time.

Special mention goes to Jamie Keane and Jack Mangan, making their Navan debuts today. Not only did they get some valuable match experience in a tense battle, they showed why they will be valuable squad members for the season. Furthermore, we had 3 lads from the Navan U15s also play important parts in todays game. Jack Giles, Myles Doyle and our own Jamie Kierans not so little brother Matthew all contributed fantastically to help us seal the win.

What this shows is the real value of having a squad. As injuries clear up, the other new lads we have gained get more training under their belt, and regular training, we will be squad to be reckoned with! Well done today everyone 👏