Defeat for Navan as they are hit with late sucker punch

There wasn't much consolation for Navan as they lost out 14-17 to Limerick side Old Crescent in the AIL Div 2A at Balreask Old today with a late penalty proving particularly costly. 

The home side made a very pedestrian start to this encounter and found themselves 14-0 down after just 20 minutes - and they were somewhat fortunate not to find themselves further behind. 

They did eventually get on the scoreboard when on 35 minutes Brian Haugh directed the ball between the posts from a penalty kick. With little going right for them Navan continued to struggle but Haugh tagged on another penatly just before the half-time whistle to leave the visitors 14-6 ahead at the break. 

In the second-half Navan played much more controlled rugby and they laid siege to the Old Crescent posts. Their pressure was rewarded with another Haugh penalty before they worked a fine try finished by Riaan Van Der Vyver to leave it 14-14. 

It looked like it would end in draw until Old Crescent were awarded a penalty about 35 metres out but centre Larry Hanly hit his booming effort between the posts and leave the home side heartbroken. 

See further analysis, quotes and photograph from game in the next issue of the Meath Chronicle.