NAVAN WIN AT HOME AS WOMEN STROLL TO 12 WINS AT CLONTARF

Navan………………………………………… 42

Malone……………………………………….. 17

(Half-Time: 21-7)
Balreask Old, Navan 

Men’s 1st XV
Energia All-Ireland League Men’s Division 2A – Round Fourteen (Saturday 17th February)

In a crucial battle between ninth-placed Navan and tenth-placed Malone at Balreask Old, Navan secured a convincing victory in Round Fourteen of the Energia All-Ireland League Men’s Division 2A. The home side’s performance was a stark contrast to their previous close defeat, earning them a vital bonus-point win.

Malone took an early lead with a try in the fifth minute,Quick passing phases allowed Malone’s Hooker to score to the right of the posts. Navan responded swiftly with a try by Harry Hester, from the restart Navan got into the visitors’ half, converted by Rory Gordon, leveling the score at 7-7. Navan dominated the first half, with Leon Akopian from a Catch and drive off a lineout grounding the ball in the left corner and Jamie Kavanagh off a lineout penalty inside Malone’s 5m, caught and driven over, adding two more tries before halftime. Rory Gordon’s conversions put Navan ahead 21-7 at the break.

Navan Men’s 1st XV Leon Akopian takes the ball in the lineout against Malone.

(Photo: Joan Spillane)

 

Malone started strong in the second half, scoring two unconverted tries, the first their forwards getting over to the left corner and another maul over for a grounding from a lineout, taking advantage of wetter conditions. However, Navan showcased resilience, securing two more tries through Jamie Kavanagh scoring from a lineout. and Captain Sean McEntagart breaking through to score to the left of the posts.. Rory Gordon’s successful conversions extended Navan’s lead to 35-17. In the closing minutes, Gordon himself broke through on the left wing, ran the length of the touchline, and scored in the left corner, sealing a comprehensive victory for Navan at 42-17.

The bonus-point win was crucial for Navan, especially after coming close to victory in the previous match. The result, combined with Barnhall’s win over Greystones, propelled Navan to eighth place in the league table. Looking ahead, Navan faces a road trip to Armagh to take on Banbridge in Round Fifteen.

 

“The Central” Player of the Match: Rory Gordon.

Navan Men’s 1st XV Squad “Sponsored by Hannon Travel”:
Ryan Healy, Jamie Kavanagh, Jordan Finney, Eoghan Noonan, Conor Hand, Ben McEntagart, Harry Hester, Leon Akopian, Jakob Matthews, Evan Dixon, Peter McEntagart, Kyle Dixon, Sean McEntagart (Capt), Paddy Fox, Rory Gordon, David Clarke, Liam Carroll, Conor Ryan, Harry Devlin, Mark Farrell, Leigh Jackson.

Energia AIL Men’s Division 2A – Round Fourteen Results (Sat 17th February):
MU Barnhall 22 Greystones 15, Parsonstown, Leixlip.
Navan 42 Malone 17, Balreask Old, Navan.
Old Crescent 36 Banbridge 14, Takumi Park, Limerick.
UL Bohemian 13 Cashel 17, Annacotty, Limerick.
Nenagh Ormond v Ballymena, New Ormond Park, Nenagh (pitch unplayable – match rescheduled for Sat 9th March)

Navan Women’s 1st XV Captain Aoife Ryan is presented with the Leinster Women’s Division 3 trophy by John Fitzgerald of Leinster Rugby.

(Photo supplied by Mary-Louise Quinn)

Clontarf……………………………………… 10

Navan………………………………………… 19
(Half-Time: 10-5)

Women’s 1st XV
Leinster Women’s League Division Three (Sunday 18th February)

Navan Women’s 1st XV secured a remarkable victory against Clontarf at Castle Avenue, with fourteen unanswered points in the second half for Navan turned the tide and secured the victory. Finishing the Leinster Women’s League Division Three with twelve straight wins, amassing ten bonus points along the way. This exceptional performance crowned Navan as the Division Three Champions and secured promotion to Division Two for the next season.

Navan displayed exceptional skill and determination, finishing the season undefeated and claiming the Division Three title. The promotion to Division Two is a testament to their outstanding performance and teamwork throughout the campaign. Congratulations to the entire squad on this remarkable achievement.

The Navan Women’s 1st XV celebrating their League win in Castle Avenue Clontarf. (Photo supplied by Mary-Louise Quinn)

Navan Women’s 1st XV Squad “Sponsored by P. Bermingham’s Bar”:
Emma Looby, Chelsea McGroarty, Kelly Brady, Victoria Quinn, Mairead Carty, Ava Galvin, Aoife Ryan, Rosie Searle, Anna Bolger, Michelle Stafford, Allie Flynn, Cara Martin, Molly Fitzgerald, Áine Castles, Aisling Kelly, Sarah O Brien, Emily Jo White, Louise Crinion, Orlaith Daly, Anita Lennon, Rhiannon Hoey, Leanne O’Neill.

 

Men’s U20 XV
Leinster JP Fanagan (U20) – Premier 3 (Sunday 18th February)
Navan 26 Naas 24
Balreask Old, Navan.

In a thrilling encounter at Balreask Old, Navan secured a narrow 26-24 victory over Naas in the Leinster JP Fanagan (U20) – Premier 3 league on Sunday. Tries from Matthew Conlon, Evin Harnett, Ciarmhac Ó Fionnagáin, and Josh Williamson, coupled with three conversions from Mark Russell, propelled Navan to a hard-fought win.
Despite a late try from Naas, a missed conversion left the home side with a two-point lead and smart work at the breakdown from the restart by Navan ensured a turnover of possession, allowing them to see out the game.
The victory elevates Navan to fourth place in the Leinster JP Fanagan (U20) – Premier 3 league table, showcasing their competitive edge and determination.
Navan’s next challenge is a Meath derby away to Ashbourne next Sunday, 25th February. The team will seek to build on the momentum from this crucial win.
Navan’s Men’s U20 XV demonstrated resilience and skill, securing a crucial win against Naas. With the upcoming Meath derby against Ashbourne, the team is poised for another exciting challenge in the Leinster JP Fanagan (U20) – Premier 3 league.

Navan Men’s U20 XV Squad:
Cormac Kenny, Ciarmhac Ó Fionnagáin, Ronan Giles, Finn McNally, Rokas Lipinskas, Max Shivmangal, Oisin Heffernan, Matthew Conlon, MacDara de Paor, Mark Russell, Joshua Williamson, Alex Reynolds, Ciaran O’Dea, Joseph Smith, Scott Corrigan, Shane O’Connor, Evin Harnett, Luke O’Reilly, Ciaran Beggy, Mark Jordan, Ben Cherry, Joshua Green.

Other Results:

Men’s 2nd/J1 XV
Leinster Metro League Premier 2 (Sunday 18th February)
Navan 5 Wanderers 29
Balreask Old, Navan.

Navan Men’s 2nd/J1 XV Squad:
Craig Byrne, Eoin O’Reilly, Ian Carolan, Evan MacNamara, Andrew Kiernan, Stuart Byrne, Ronan Walsh, Andrew Beggy, Mark Farrell, Jack Dixon, Stephen O’Neill, Cormac Horan, Harry Devlin, Brian Byrne, Sean Walsh, Shane Devlin.

Men’s 3rd XV
Leinster Metro League – Division 7 (Saturday 17th February)
Railway Union 12 Navan 30
Park Avenue, Sandymount.

Navan Men’s 3rd XV Squad:
Richard Kennedy, Paul Caffrey, Eoghan Curtis, Stuart Byrne, Ronan McIlwaine, Kallum Boles, Ruairi Coleman, Anton Hoey, Jack Dixon, David Delahunt, Peadar Flood, Thomas Geraghty, Stephen O’Neill, Brian Cooney, James Macken, Patrick Finegan, Gareth Ward, Shane Devlin, Simon Kelly, Odhran Begley, Brian Delahunt.

 

Lead Photo; Navan Men’s 1st XV Leon Akopian attempts to break through the tackle against Malone.

(Photo: Joan Spillane)