Men’s 1st XV
Energia All-Ireland League Men’s Division 2A – Round Eighteen (Saturday 6th April)
Navan……………………………………. 15
Ballymena………………………………. 5
Balreask Old, Navan.
(Half-Time: 15-0)
In their final fixture of the 2023/24 Energia All-Ireland League Division 2A campaign, Navan triumphed over Country Antrim side Ballymena with a 15-5 victory at Balreask Old. This reversal of their opening round fixture saw Navan finish their season on a high note.
Before the game Navan were led out by stalwarts Leigh Jackson & David Clarke along with their families onto the Balreask Old pitch ahead of kick-off, in what were windy conditions due to the effect of “Storm Kathleen”
Two minutes into the game, an early penalty kick attempt from Mark Farrell hit the upright in the swirling wind, however Navan soon made a breakthrough on four minutes with Kyle Dixon finding space under the posts after a series of pick and goes. Mark Farrell converted, putting Navan ahead 7-0.
Navan sought to make use of the wind at their backs and on eighteen minutes, after a midfield scrum, a well-placed kick allowed Peter McEntagart to win a foot race and score in the left corner. Navan extended their lead to 12-0.
Ten minutes later Navan increased their lead with a penalty kick by Mark Farrell after a high-tackle by Ballymena. This saw Navan leading comfortably 15-0 at the break.
The second half saw Ballymena pushing hard to secure at least one league point to maintain their status. Despite their efforts, Navan’s defense held firm.
On 63 minutes though, Ballymena scored a Try after a Navan clearance kick was blocked down, allowing second-row Paddy Browne to touch down in the right corner. The score narrowed to 15-5.
Despite Ballymena’s late surge, Navan secured the win, concluding their league program on a high note and finishing in the top half of the final league table. Ballymena, despite the defeat, retained their status due to results elsewhere. Navan now enters the summer off-season before gearing up for another exciting season in Division 2A for 2024/25, which coincides with Navan Rugby Football Club’s Centenary Season.
“The Central” Player of the Match: Ben McEntagart
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, Ryan Healy, Conor Ryan, Jake Matthews, Robbie Lailvaux, Harry Devlin.
Energia AIL Men’s Division 2A
Round Eighteen Results ,Sat 6th April :
Cashel 12 Banbridge 7, Spafield, Cashel.
Greystones 21 Malone 10, Dr Hickey Park, Greystones.
MU Barnhall 26 Old Crescent 17, Parsonstown, Leixlip.
Navan 15 Ballymena 5, Balreask Old, Navan.
UL Bohemian 16 Nenagh Ormond 25, Annacotty, Limerick.
Leinster Paul Cusack Women’s Cup Semi-Final (Sunday 7th April)
Navan…………………………………………………. 19
Greystones …………………………………………..10
(H/T: 0-10)
Balreask Old, Navan.
In a thrilling semi-final match of the Leinster Paul Cusack Women’s Cup, Navan Women’s 1st XV staged a remarkable comeback to defeat Greystones with a final score of 19-10 at Balreask Old. Despite trailing 0-10 at halftime, Navan displayed resilience and determination to secure their place in the final.
Greystones capitalized on the windy conditions, building a 10-point lead in the first half.
Navan emerged from halftime with renewed determination and took advantage of the wind at their backs. They scored nineteen unanswered points, showcasing their resolve and skill.
Navan completed a stunning comeback to win the semi-final with a final score of 19-10.
Navan Women’s 1st XV now advances to the Leinster Paul Cusack Women’s Cup Final, where they will face Edenderry. The final will take place next Sunday at Balbriggan RFC.
Additionally, Navan Women’s 2nd XV will compete in the Leinster Division 5 Women’s Cup Final against Roscrea on the same finals day, providing an opportunity for potential double Cup success.
Navan Women’s 1st XV Squad “Sponsored by P. Bermingham’s Bar”:
Emily Jo White, Chelsea McGroarty, Racheal Browne, Ava Galvin, Mairead Carty, Louise Crinion, Kayleigh Crinion, Rosie Searle, Anna Bolger, Molly Fitzgerald, Alanna Caffrey, Michelle Stafford, Cara Martin, Allie Flynn, Aisling Kelly, Niamh McManus, Lauren Fitzpatrick, Shaunagh Keogan, Emma Looby, Jackie Shiels, Anita Lennon, Lauren Kelly.
Men’s 3rd XV
Leinster Anderson (J3) Cup – 2nd Round (Sunday 7th April)
Roscrea 14 Navan 24
Roscrea RFC.
Navan Men’s 3rd XV secured a place in the quarter-finals of the Leinster Anderson (J3) Cup with a solid away victory against Roscrea. The win sets up an exciting Meath derby in the last eight as they prepare to face North Meath at home.
The upcoming Meath derby promises to be an exciting encounter as Navan looks to continue their cup run.
Navan Men’s 3rd XV Squad:
Seamus McAteer, Paul Caffrey, Arron Puddick, Ronan McIlwaine, Stuart Byrne, Thomas P Clarke, James O’Hare, Anton Hoey, Stephen O’Neill, David Geraghty, Peadar Flood, Thomas Geraghty, Maurice McAuley, Brian Cooney, James Macken, Ciarmhac Ó Fionnagáin, Eoghan Curtis, Philip Kane, Patrick Finegan, Gareth Ward, David Delahunt, Simon Hogan.
Other Results:
Under 16 Boys
Leinster Boys Youth Cup Under 16 Semi-Final (Saturday 6th April)
Navan 22 Naas 10
Mullingar RFC.
In an intense semi-final clash, Navan Under 16 Boys emerged victorious against Naas, securing their spot in the Leinster Boys Youth Cup Under 16 Final.
With their sights set on the championship title, they now eagerly await the outcome of the other semi-final between Gorey and Mullingar to determine their final opponent.
Navan Under 16 Boys Squad:
Oshan Varney, Daniel Robinson, Matthew Kieran, Myles Doyle, Jack McGettigan, Rhian Faherty, Conor Goodwin, Jack Giles, Jack Clarke, Lorcan Craik, Aidan Lynch, Cormac Fagan, Jay Gavigan, Conall Sheridan, Luke Brady, Antonio Rattigan, David Farrelly, Eamon Berwick, Sean Curtis, Aaron Roche, Joe O’Neill, Frederick James Woods, Dylan McGuinness.
Under 15 Boys
Leinster U15 Boys Youth Cup Semi-Final (Saturday 6th April)
Navan 17 Mullingar 12
Longford RFC.
Navan’s Under 15 Boys clinched a hard-fought victory against Mullingar, securing their spot in the Leinster U15 Boys Youth Cup Final. The match at Longford RFC showcased Navan’s resilience and determination as they battled past their opponents to reach the final.
With their eyes on the cup, they now eagerly await the outcome of the other semi-final clash between Tullow and Wexford Wanderers to determine their final opponent.
Navan Under 15 Boys Squad:
Adam Kieran, Tehan Stander, Euan O’Cinneide, Michael Cahalane, Sam Murray, Thomas Russell, Jack Foley, Ishan Dharmasena, Conor Doran, Andrew Treacy, Tom Concannon, Conor Kelly, Conor Martin, Ciarán Fox, Tom Howley, Lee Reynolds, Francis Healy, Tobias Ledwidge Egan, Finn Gollogley, Ronan O’Reilly, Joshua Heverin, Patrick Dwyer, Jamie Reynolds.
Other News:
Navan RFC was the feature club in the latest episode of Leinster Rugby’s “12 Counties, One Club” series.
This is the seventh episode of the video mini-series which was launched last year by Leinster Rugby and focuses on the clubs and the people that are the heartbeat of our communities in the province.
The episode debuted last Thursday and was displayed on the big screen In the Aviva stadium at the Leinster V Leicester Champions Cup clash at the weekend,
Navan’s Emma Brogan was part of the Ireland U18 Women’s team that concluded their Women’s U18 Six Nations festival held in North Wales with a win over Scotland taking their win tally to three after previous wins over Italy & Wales.
Upcoming Fixtures:
Saturday 13th April 2024
All-Ireland Provincial League Championship Final
Ballyclare RFC (Ulster) Vs. Monkstown FC (Leinster)
Balreask Old, Navan; KO 2:30pm.
Sunday 14th April 2024
Leinster Paul Cusack Women’s Cup Final
Venue – Balbriggan RFC
Navan Women 1st XV Vs. Edenderry
KO TBC
Leinster Division 5 Women’s Cup Final
Venue – Balbriggan RFC
Navan Women 2nd XV Vs. Roscrea
KO TBC
Leinster Michael Dunne (J4) Cup
Navan Men 4th XV Vs. Wicklow Wicklow RFC, KO 3pm
