Energia All-Ireland League Men’s Division 2A –
Round Sixteen (Saturday 23rd March)

Navan…………………………….. 15
Nenagh Ormond……………….. 11
Balreask Old, Navan.
(Half-Time: 10-5)
 
In a highly anticipated clash at Balreask Old, Navan faced off against table-toppers Nenagh Ormond in Round Sixteen of the Energia All-Ireland League Division 2A. With Nenagh on the brink of clinching the division title, Navan aimed to continue their recent good form and put up a strong challenge against the league leaders.
The home side got off to a flying start after four minutes when Navan won a lineout just inside Nenagh’s 22 metre line. Taking the ball in a maul to within ten metres of the opposition try line, the ball got passed across the pitch where both Navan loose forwards and backs were available to take the ball in phase play up to the five metre line with the decisive pass going to an oncoming Jordan Finney with the props momentum crashing through to score the opening try on the right hand side of the field. Scrumhalf Mark Farrell added the extras to give Navan a 7-0 lead over the Tipperary side.
The momentum stayed with Navan as Farrell further extended their lead adding a successful penalty-kick to put the home-side two scores ahead, However, Nenagh fought back, scoring an unconverted try through lock Kevin O’Flaherty just before halftime, making the score 10-5 in favor of Navan at the break.
The second half saw Nenagh Ormond exerting immense pressure on Navan’s defense, looking to get the one remaining victory that they needed to secure the division title, with some very heavy carries by their forwards and backs respectively. However the home side put on a massive defensive effort to keep Nenagh out of their tryline with Nenagh only able to take the lead from two consecutive penalty kicks from the boot of their outside-centre Conor McMahon. However, McMahon’s yellow card gave Navan an opportunity to strike back. Despite the numerical advantage, Navan struggled to capitalize until the dying moments of the game
With the clock ticking down coming up to the 80th minute with tired bodies on the field, Navan mounted one final attack. Captain Sean McEntagert delivered a crucial pass to his brother and Navan winger, Peter McEntagart, who sprinted through a gap in Nenagh’s defense to score the winning try, securing a thrilling victory for Navan.
Navan’s hard-fought victory sees them rise to sixth place in the league table, while Nenagh Ormond, despite the defeat, secured a losing bonus point and remain on the verge of clinching the league title. The win for Navan underscores their resilience and determination, setting a positive tone for the remaining last two league games of the season.
Navan Men’s 1st XV Squad “Sponsored by Hannon Travel“:
Rory Gordon, Paddy Fox, Sean McEntagart (Capt), Peter McEntagart, Kyle Dixon, Evan Dixon, Mark Farrell, Liam Carroll, Jamie Kavanagh, Jordan Finney, Eoghan Noonan, Conor Hand, Ben McEntagart, Leon Akopian, Harry Hester, David Clarke, Leigh Jackson, Conor Ryan, Jake Matthews, Robbie Lailvaux, Harry Devlin.
Energia AIL Men’s Division 2A – Round Sixteen Results (Sat 23rd March):
Cashel 23 Greystones 10, Spafield, Cashel.
MU Barnhall 27 Banbridge 28, Parsonstown, Leixlip.
Navan 15 Nenagh Ormond 11, Balreask Old, Navan.
Old Crescent 22 Ballymena 20, Takumi Park, Limerick.
UL Bohemian 15 Malone 17, Annacotty, Limerick
Energia AIL Men’s Division 2A – League Table:
POS TEAM PL W D L PF PA DIFF TB LB PTS
1 Nenagh Ormond 16 13 0 3 513 195 318 8 3 63
2 MU Barnhall 16 9 1 6 460 348 112 9 6 53
3 Cashel 16 11 1 4 345 237 108 3 2 51
4 Old Crescent 16 9 0 7 306 324 -18 4 3 43
5 Banbridge 16 7 0 9 377 415 -38 8 5 41
6 Navan 16 6 1 9 331 374 -43 4 5 35
7 UL Bohemian 16 6 1 9 283 364 -81 5 4 35
8 Ballymena 16 6 0 10 289 365 -76 2 6 32
9 Greystones 16 6 0 10 293 363 -70 2 5 31
10 Malone 16 5 0 11 276 488 -212 5 2 27
Energia AIL Men’s Division 2A – Round Seventeen Fixtures (30th March, 2:30pm KO):
BALLYMENA V’s GREYSTONES, Eaton Park, Ballymena.
BANBRIDGE V’s UL BOHEMIAN, Rifle Park, Banbridge.
MALONE V’s CASHEL, Gibson Park, Belfast.
NENAGH ORMOND V’s MU BARNHALL, New Ormond Park, Nenagh.
OLD CRESCENT V’s NAVAN, Takumi Park, Limerick.