Vital points help Navan in quest to move away from relegation zone
CRAIG WILLIAMSON
Energia All-Ireland League Men's Div 2A
Navan 13
Cashel 13
In a highly contested encounter at Balreask Old, Navan Men's 1st XV hosted second-placed Cashel in round 12 of the Energia All-Ireland League Division 2A.
The match ended in a thrilling 13-13 draw, showcasing the determination and skill of both teams.
The opening minutes saw Navan pressuring Cashel within the five-meter line, but an unfortunate knock-on allowed Cashel to clear their lines.
Cashel took the lead with a penalty scored by full-back Ben Twomey after some scrappy exchanges in midfield. Cashel's out-half, Jack Evenden, was then sent to the sin-bin for a high tackle.
Despite being a man down, Cashel extended their lead with another penalty from Twomey. However, Navan responded just before halftime with a well-executed try. Captain Sean McEntagart's break in midfield set up open-side flanker Robbie Lailvaux for the score. Rory Gordon's successful conversion and two penalty kicks gave Navan a 10-6 lead at halftime.
Eight minutes into the second half, Gordon added another penalty to extend Navan's lead to 13-6. Cashel, determined to mount a comeback, found success just before the hour mark. Jack Armshaw, Cashel's scrumhalf, exploited a gap in Navan's defense for a try, and Twomey's conversion leveled the game at 13-13.
The final quarter of the game saw Navan dominating possession, applying immense pressure on Cashel to regain the lead. The home side showed ferocity and determination, creating opportunities in their opponent's half.
On the stroke of full-time, Navan had a penalty kick to secure the win. However, the strong wind contributed to the ball going wide of the posts, resulting in a share of the points at the final whistle.
Despite the draw, Navan's performance, coupled with other results, lifted them to ninth in the table at the end of the fourth block of fixtures. They are now only two points behind eighth-placed Greystones, whom they will face in Round Thirteen on Saturday, 10th February.
Navan Men's 1st's will look forward to their next challenge against Greystones, aiming to continue their climb up the league table in the coming fixtures.
Navan Men's 1st XV Squad "Sponsored by Hannon Travel" - Ryan Healy, Jamie Kavanagh, Jordan Finney, Eoghan Noonan, Conor Hand, Robbie Lailvaux, Ben McEntagart, Harry Hester, Jake Matthews, Evan Dixon, Peter McEntagart, Kyle Dixon, Sean McEntagart (Capt), Paddy Fox, Rory Gordon, Gary Faulkner, Conor Ryan, Liam Carroll, Harry Devlin.
Energia AIL Men's Division 2A - round 12 results (Sat 27th January):
Banbridge 32 Ballymena 16, Rifle Park, Bandridge.
MU Barnhall 38 UL Bohemian 5, Parsonstown, Leixlip.
Navan 13 Cashel 13, Balreask Old, Navan.
Nenagh Ormond 83 Malone 12, New Ormond Park, Nenagh.
Old Crescent 13 Greystones 10, Takumi Park, Limerick.
Energia AIL Men's Division 2A - round 13 fixtures
(Saturday, 13th February, all 2:30 pm kick-offs)
BALLYMENA V UL BOHEMIAN, Eaton Park, Ballymena.
BANBRIDGE V NENAGH ORMOND, Rifle Park, Banbridge.
CASHEL V MU BARNHALL, Spafield, Cashel.
GREYSTONES V NAVAN, Dr Hickey Park, Greystones.
MALONE V OLD CRESCENT, Gibson Park, Belfast.
Women's Rugby
Leinster Women's League Division 3 (Sunday 28th January)
Navan 93 MU Barnhall 7
Balreask Old, Navan.
(Match Report by Michelle Claffey)
Today Navan RFC had their last Leinster League Division 3 home game. There was a very positive atmosphere at Balreask Old with the Division 5 team playing parallel against Newbridge RFC.
Navan started brightly with winger Áine Castles dotting down within the opening minutes, Anna Bolger added the extras. The clinical nature of Navan and score set the tone for the game.
The forward pack worked tirelessly to provide momentum and front foot ball for the team. Stand-out players for Navan include Rosie Searle, playing at second row, and Cara Martin at outside centre.
Molly Fitzgerald got herself on the ball today, turning defence into attack and racing the length of the field. Mary-Louise Quinn had several carries and support lines, using her rugby knowledge to her advantage, getting in the right place at the right time. Aoife Ryan was efficient at breakdown, generating several turnovers for the team. Michelle Stafford distributed well, putting centre Martin away for a try from halfway.
The Navan youth players have settled into the team in their first full year of adult rugby. They are accompanied by Allie Flynn, Aisling Kelly, and Niamh McManus in the senior ranks.
Navan's next Division 3 game is away to Arklow on Sunday the 4th of February at 1pm. All support is appreciated as always!
Navan Women's 1st XV Squad "Sponsored by P. Bermingham's Bar" - Emily-Jo White, Chelsea McGroarty, Emma Looby, Victoria Quinn, Mairead Carty, Ava Galvin, Aoife Ryan, Rosie Searle, Anita Lennon, Anna Bolger, Áine Castles, Michelle Stafford, Cara Martin, Molly Fitzgerald, Aisling Kelly, Mary-Louise Bridgeman, Bláthnaid Castles, Jackie Shiels, Allie Flynn, Alanna Caffrey, Lauren Kelly, Niamh McManus.
Women's 2nd XV
Leinster Women's League Division 5A (Sunday 28th January)
Navan 31 Newbridge 0
Balreask Old, Navan.
(Match Report by Michelle Claffey)
Today Navan RFC had their first Leinster League game in the new Division 5A structure. There was a very positive atmosphere at Balreask Old with the Division 3 team playing parallel against Barnhall RFC.
Both sides played exciting end-to-end rugby in very blustery conditions. Niamh Lister found an early gap in the Newbridge defence after being put through by Leah Morris, who added the extras. Newbridge defence was rock solid for the remainder of the first half, as was the Navan defence both teams played some exciting rugby with a good offloading game and good shutdown defence by both teams.
The forward pack were directed by outhalf Ciara Delahunt. She coordinated the team, putting pressure on the Newbridge defence. Stand-out players for Navan include Louise Crinion, playing at openside flanker, and Paula Keating, at scrum half. Nour Khairy scored a vital try just before half time, she found herself 5metres out and used her footwork to get around the defence.
Navan played against a strong wind in the second half and had to work very hard to make ground up the pitch. The team in their first game of the year settled into their game structure in the second half and found their rhythm. Lisa Keenan used her strength to get herself over the try line just after halftime to put some light between the teams. Rounding out the scoring for the team was Crinion and Lister.
Full Time Score: 31 - 0
Navan's next Division 5 game is away to Birr RFC on Sunday the 11th of February at 1pm. All support is appreciated as always!
Navan Women's 2nd XV Squad "Sponsored by P. Bermingham's Bar" - Nour Khairy, Kelly Brady, Lauren Fitzpatrick, Meabh Sexton, Anna Mennis, Shaunagh Keogan, Louise Crinion, Racheal Browne, Paula Keating, Ciara Quinn, Niamh Lister, Geraldine Lynch, Lisa Keenan, Leanne O’Neill, Leah Morris, Sue Nisbitt, Orlaith Daly, Julie McCullagh, Keelan O'Connor, Rhiannon Hoey, Anna McGarry, Jessica Moriarty.
Youth Rugby:
Leinster U16 Boys Youth League Group B (Sunday 28th January)
Navan 40 Co.Carlow 21
Balreask Old, Navan
Navan's U16 Boys team secured a remarkable 40-21 victory against Co. Carlow at Balreask Old in the Leinster U16 Boys Youth League Group B on Sunday.
With this triumph, Navan U16s completed the group stages with a flawless record of 7 wins out of 7, securing the top spot in the Leinster U16 Premier League. This achievement sets the stage for an exciting Home quarter-final tie in the Leinster League scheduled for late February.
Navan's U16 team showcased outstanding teamwork, individual performances, and a winning mentality throughout the group stages. As they look forward to the upcoming quarter-final, the team is poised to continue their impressive run in the Leinster League.
Navan Boys u-16 squad - Oshan Varney, Daniel Robinson, Antonio Rattigan, Myles Doyle, David Farrelly, Dylan McGuinness, Conor Goodwin, Rhian Faherty, Jack Clarke, Lorcan Craik, Aaron Roche, Cormac Fagan, Daniel Heverin, Conall Sheridan, Jay Gavigan, Aidan Lynch, Matthew Kieran, Frederick James Woods, Sean Curtis, Tom Hynes, Eamon Berwick, Jack Giles.
Club News:
On Saturday (27th January), a combined u-15 and u-16 Boys XV played a game against a visiting touring team from the Rugby Union Donau club based in Vienna, Austria.
The traveling squad were undertaking a short weekend tour to Ireland that also included a fixture against Terenure College before returning home. After the game against Navan, the entire touring party were welcomed in the clubhouse by Club President Damien Dixon who wished the best for an enjoyable trip to Ireland.
Former Navan Youths player Abby Moyles made her debut for the "Wolfhounds" in their Celtic Challenge Round 4 win over Brython Thunder at Kingspan Stadium on Saturday Moyles came on as substitute out-half in the last quarter, and along with substitute scrum-half and fellow ex-Navan youths player Jade Gaffney, finished the game for the Wolfhounds with a half-back pairing that had played for both club & province at youth level very successfully in recent years. The "Wolfhounds" coaching team also includes Navan Women's Defence Coach Michelle Claffey among the assistant coach.