Arklow……………………………21
Navan……………………………67
The Oval, Arklow. (HT: 0-46)
Leinster Women’s League Division 2 (Sunday 9th March)
Navan Women’s 1st XV completed a flawless Leinster Women’s League Division 2 campaign with a commanding 67-21 victory away to Arklow, securing their 100% winning record and lifting the league trophy in style. The visitors dominated from the outset, racing to a 46-0 halftime lead. Molly Fitzgerald led the charge with a hat-trick of tries, while Emily Jo White bagged a brace. Áine Nangle, Rosie Searle, Kayleigh Crinion, Áine Castles (2), and Lauren Kelly also touched down, with Anna Bolger slotting four conversions to round off the scoring.
Historic Double for Navan Women’s Teams
Following the match, Navan 1st XV captain Aoife Ryan was presented with the Leinster Women’s League Division 2 trophy, marking a historic moment for the club. Celebrations were even sweeter as Navan’s 2nd XV also claimed Leinster Women’s League Division 4
after their final fixture was awarded as a walkover. 2nd XV captain Paula Keating proudly received the silverware, capping off a remarkable back-to-back title-winning season for both teams.
Above pic: The Combined Navan RFC Women’s 1st & 2nd squads along with supporters after receiving both Leinster Div 2 & Div 4 trophies (Photo: Mary-Louise Quinn).
L-R: Paula Keating (Navan RFC Women’s 2nd’s Captain) with Leinster Div 4 trophy, Paddy Donnelly (Team Sponsor, Bermingham’s Bar), Aoife Ryan (Navan RFC Women’s 1st’s Captain) with Leinster Div 2 trophy (Photo: Mary-Louise Quinn).
Navan Women’s Teams Ready for Cup Challenges
With league success secured, Navan’s focus now shifts to the cup competitions, where they will field three adult women’s teams across different tiers:
● Leinster Division 5/6 Cup (Holders: Navan Women’s J1/2nd XV)
MU Barnhall J1/2nds vs Navan Women’s J2/3rd XV (Away)
Navan’s newly formed J2/3rd XV make their debut in this competition, stepping up
after the J1/2nd XV claimed the title last year, they will face a tough challenge in the
first round away to Division 5 leaders MU Barnhall J1/2nds.
● Leinster Paul Cusack (Div 3/4) Cup (Holders: Navan Women’s 1st XV)
Kilkenny vs Navan Women’s J1/2nd XV (Away)
Navan’s J1/2nd XV will defend the trophy won last season by the 1st XV, facing a
tough challenge away to Division 3 side Kilkenny.
● Leinster Paul Flood (Div 1/2) Cup
Navan Women’s 1st XV vs Balbriggan (Home)
Navan’s 1st XV will compete in Leinster’s premier women’s cup, hosting Balbriggan, runners-up in Division 1 at Balreask Old, in a highly anticipated North-East derby. (All ties to be played on Sunday 30th March with a 1pm kick-off).
With league titles secured, Navan’s women’s squads now set their sights on adding more silverware in the cup competitions, aiming to continue their dominance across multiple divisions.
Navan Women’s 1st XV Squad “Sponsored by P. Bermingham’s Bar”: Emily Jo White, Ava Kiechler, Lauren Fitzpatrick, Áine Nangle, Emma Looby, Louise Crinion, Kayleigh Crinion, Rosie Searle, Anita Lennon, Anna Bolger, Molly Egan, Michelle Claffey, Molly Fitzgerald, Áine Castles, Aisling Kelly Replacements:
Aoife Ryan, Racheal Browne, Shona White, Tara Quinn, Alex Connor, Lauren Kelly, Maria Smith.
Men’s U20
Navan RFC Men’s Under 20’s side that defeated Seapoint on Sunday in Dublin (Photo: Bryan Russell).
Leinster JP Fanagan (U20) – Premier 2 – Super Six – Group 2 (Sunday 9th March)
Seapoint 20 V Navan 22
Kilbogget Park, Killiney (Half-time: 10-12).
Navan Men’s Under 20s closed out their Leinster JP Fanagan Premier 2 – Super Six campaign with a hard-fought 22-20 victory away to Dublin side Seapoint on Sunday. Navan made a strong start, keeping pace with their hosts in a tense first half, leading 12-10 at the break. The visitors remained composed in a tight second half, securing the win thanks to crucial tries from **Matthew Conlon, Ben Cherry, and Max Shivmangal. Max McKenna played a key role with two conversions and a penalty, ensuring Navan edged past their opponents in a thrilling contest. Sean O’Hare delivered a standout performance, earning him Player of the Match honors. With their league campaign now complete, Navan U20s will regroup and shift focus to future competitions as they build on a solid season.
Player of the Match “Sponsored by The Central”: Sean O’Hare
Navan Men’s Under 20’s (Sponsored by JJ Duffy): Max Shivmangal, Cormac Kenny, Alessandro Maltese, Conor Browne, Ben McCreary,
James Callaghan, Tadhg Flanagan, Matthew Conlon, Ben Cherry, Declan O’Connor, Mark Jordan, Max McKenna, Sean O’Hare, Luke Griffin, Alex Reynolds. Replacements: Fionn Craik, Thomas Kearns, Ciaran Beggy, Jack Smith, Simon Dizon, Alexander Iljin.
Other News
Navan RFC U18 player Alex Connor has been named in the 35-player Ireland U18 Women’s Training Squad, sponsored by PwC, for the upcoming Six Nations U18 Festival in April. The tournament will take place at Wellington College, England.
