'A big crowd behind us could make all the difference'

A heartbreaking late Greystones try last Saturday meant that Navan RFC will have to battle for safety in the relegation play-offs of the AIL Div 2A

The Navan coach Jason Harris-Wright described his team's late defeat to Greystones on Saturday as "absolutely heartbreaking." Certainly the silence emanating from the home team's dresssingroom afterwards said it all in terms of how much it must have hurt the players.

After all Navan were within touching distance of gaining a victory that would have ensured their safety in Div 2A for another season at least. Now they must embark on a treacherous journey through the the Div 2B/Div 2A promotion/relegation play-offs starting with a semi-final tie against Galwegians. The semi-finals and final are scheduled for the 19th and 26th April.

The one positive from a Navan perspective is that both their play-off games, if needed, are fixed for Balreask Old.

That fact was something out-half Mark Farrell tuned into after the defeat to Greystones on Saturday. He pointed out that his team would be really helped in those play-off games if Navan supporters came out in force and made their presence felt. Make home advantage just that, an advantage.

"Having a big crowd behind us is everything," he said. "When we create something, all the big moments, we can hear the crowd behind us, and it does spur us on," he said. "Let's get a crowd out to Balreask Old because a big crowd behind us could make all the difference."

There was a decent-sized attendance in place for Saturday's sun-splashed encounter but a sizeable bulk were Greystones followers. The Wicklow club also faced into a big assignment as they sought a win to ensure their place in play-offs with the ultimate goal of promotion to Div 1B.

Scrum-half Farrell gave another of his typically high-energy, industrious displays doing his bit to ensure the Navan backs had the quick ball. He was also the team's place-kicker firing over one conversion and a difficult penalty in the strong, swirling breeze in the opening half. He was also unlucky in that his conversion attempt after Michael Brady's try in the second-half rebounded off the post.

From Navan, Farrell has been playing in the local club's colours since he as four, moving up through the ranks, and nailing down a regular place on the first team at scrum-half. Still only 26 he feels the passing of time partly because the current Navan side contains some very young players indeed. "You look at Harry Watters, he's only 18 but he looks like he has been playing with us for seven or eight years."

A tax consultant, Mark Farrell's two brothers - Conor and Cillian - have also played for Navan. Conor, an accomplished back-row player, who is not available for Navan this season, was capped for Ireland at u-18 and u-19 levels.

On Saturday the Balreask Old boys served up arguably their best display of the season, certainly one of their best. They were strong in the scrums although a few of the line-outs went awry. They stitched together some high-tempo moves displaying quick hands and minds.

Mark says that with the play-offs looming its now about "everyone sticking together", having pride in the jersey and getting over the line. "At the end of the day you are representing your club, it's about putting up a fighting performance and staying in the division."The play-offs represent a huge challenge for Harris-Wright in his fledgling coaching career. Now he and others in the management team must find a way to get past two tricky assignments. There's not much room for error. If they lose the semi-final play-off for instance, Navan are down. There will be no final at Balreask Old.

On Saturday Harris Wright talked of his pride in the way his team "fronted up" against Greystones. "There's nothing sorted yet, we still have a chance to stay in the division," he added. He was looking on the bright side - as he must.

Mark Farrell is just hoping the club's supporters will come out in force and play their part in what could be two big, big games for the club in this their 100th anniversary year.