No holding back. Navan's Evan Dixon looks to escape the clutches of a Galwegians opponent during today's AIL Div 2A encounter at Balreask Old. Other Navan players include Eoghan Noonan (left) and Sean McEntagart. PHOTO: DAVID MULLEN/WWW.CYBERIMAGES.NET.

Waters and Walshe strike late to trigger scenes of joy at Balreask Old

Published: Sat 19 Apr 2025, 6:44 PM

Last updated: Sun 20 Apr 2025, 8:54 AM

There was no trophy on offer at the end of this game but that didn't make any difference to the Navan supporters at Balreask Old on Saturday. At the final whistle they celebrated and cheered like they had just watched their team claim a league title or win a cup final.

Their joy was understandable. This may have 'only' been the semi-final of the Div 2A/2B promotion/relegation play-off but it had all the trimmings of a cup decider. This was a real do-or-die contest and defeat for Navan would have meant they would have been relegated to 2B for next season. There was no room for a slip up.

The fact that they won 29-19 - helped greatly by two tries scored by the outstanding Harry Waters, including that one near the end - means they live to fight another day.

They now face Dungannon in the final next Saturday with the game once more scheduled to take place at Balreask Old. The Ulster side had a dramatic 23-22 win over Clogher Valley today.

Navan's Harry Waters seeks to stop the march of Galwegians player Cian Brady during today's relegation/promotion play-off. Photo by David Mullen

The tension felt among the home fans throughout this contest was only finally expunged in the closing stages when Navan fashioned not one but two carefully constructed, well-executed tries.

With Galwegians leading by 19-17 and looking like they might add to their tally at any moment, Navan launched an attack. They won the line-out close to the Galwegians line. Lock Eoghan Noonan took. The ball was played to Mark Farrell. With a neat flick of his wrists he fed a pass to Shane Walshe who embarked on a super-charged, jinking run through the Galwegians cover for a super try. Farrell calmly converted.

It got better for the home side. In the closing minutes Navan launched another attack. This time Sean McEntagart, who gave a typically all-energy display, surged forward before skilfully off-loading to Waters who went over in the corner. The conversion was missed but it didn't matter. The home side were in the clear - and into the final.

The topsy-turvy nature of the game was reflected in the tight, uncompromising opening half. Navan had made a textbook start with Farrell going over for a try after just five minutes with the richly-talented Waters adding the extras from a difficult conversion. Galewegians hit back with tries from Cian Brady and Jack Winters with Ryan Roche converting one of them. They deservedly were back in front.

Just before the interval Waters intercepted a pass and ran through for his first touchdown, converted by Farrell, who also scored from a penalty. That put Navan 17-12 up a the break. It looked promising at that stage for the home side. It looked they they had survived the rough times.

However, instead of Navan pushing on, the team from Connacht surged back in front to lead 19-17. It looked, for so long, like it would be enough to carry them to victory.

Navan had to work through many moments of crisis in the second-half especially when Noonan was sent to the sinbin. They survived the envitiable onslaught to hit back with those late tries from Waters and Walshe and earn a victory that will do wonders for confidence.

Tom Gavigan came on and had a big influence. His clearances put Navan on the front-foot. Farrell's work behind the scrum and place-kicking was also crucial. Every Navan played played a significant role in containing Galwegians - as they had to do.

Navan's tackling was heroic at times although they will be concerned too about some missed tackles.

The home team's determination and resilience were clearly demonstrated in the way every player stuck with his task.

Seldom was a win had at Balreask Old more appreciated by the club faithful.

Navan - Rory Gordon, Harry Waters, Sean McEntagart, Kyle Dixon, Shane Walshe, Evan Dixon, Mark Farrell; Liam Carroll, Anthony Martinez, Jordan Finney, Eoghan Noonan, Conor Hand, Michael Brady, Ben McEntagart, Tom Ciot. Subs - Gary Faulkner, Leigh Jackson, Shane O'Connor, Liam McAree, Conor Ryan, Jack Dixon, Tom Gavigan, Cormac Horan, Harry Devlin, David Clarke.

Galwegians - Cian Brady, Darragh Kennedy, Rob Deacy, Steven Mannion, Oisin McKey, Ryan Roche, Cameron Carruthers; Jack Winters, Eoin Ferry, Guerschom Mukendi, Oisin Halpin, Paddy Dolphin, Dylan Keane, Jarrad Butler. Subs - Ryan Smith, Kobi Joyce, Jack Quinn, Liam Angermann, Eanna McCarthy, Mark McHugh, Eoghan Fahey, Ben Donnelly, James Deacy, Brian McHugo.