The 2025/26 rugby season kicked off at Balreask Old with a full slate of matches for Navan RFC’s senior men’s teams across the McGowan Cup, Jenkinson Cup, and Leinster Senior League. While results went against the club, there were plenty of positives to build on as new players made their debuts and younger talent gained valuable senior experience.

Thursday 21st August – McGowan Cup
Navan Men’s J1/2nd XV 5 Boyne 45 (Balreask Old, Navan)
Navan’s J1/2nd XV began their campaign with a tough outing against local rivals Boyne.

● Captain Shane O’Connor led from the front row, putting in a strong shift at scrum
time and in open play.
● Fionn Craik made his adult rugby debut at hooker, showing glimpses of his speed
and fearless work in contact.
● Mark Russell worked hard to direct traffic at flyhalf, moving the forwards around the
field and looking to bring pace into the game.
● At fullback, Graham Brennan provided a vocal presence and attacking spark with
ball in hand.
Despite the scoreline, there were promising moments from a developing group that will look to bounce back in their next outing.

Ireland’s Sam Monaghan prepares to jump in the line out in their opening Pool C win over Japan in Northampton on Sunday (Photo: Craig Williamson).

Friday 22nd August – Jenkinson Cup
Navan Men’s 3rd XV 5 North Meath 43 (Balreask Old, Navan)
The Men’s 3rd XV faced another difficult challenge in their derby clash against North Meath. The visitors proved clinical on the night, but Navan battled hard throughout in front of the home support.
Saturday 23rd August – Leinster Senior League
Navan Men’s 1st XV 0 Dublin University 71 (Balreask Old, Navan)
A youthful Navan 1st XV squad opened their Leinster Senior League campaign against a powerful Dublin University side. Despite a difficult afternoon on the scoreboard, the match provided vital experience as the group continues to develop under new Head Coach Ryan “Robbo” Roberts.
● Captain Conor “Bear” Hand led from number 8, working tirelessly in attack and
defence.
● Lithuanian international Karolis “Karlos” Navickas brought valuable experience in
the second row.
● Noah Kavanagh showed sharp distribution and energy at scrum-half.
● On the wing, Mark Coen worked hard both with and without the ball, demonstrating
his pace and fitness after a strong preseason.

Navan Men’s 1st XV Squad (sponsored by Hannon Travel):
James Wyse, Gary Faulkner, Jordan Finney, Rokas Lipinskas, Karolis Navickas, Matthew Conlon, Andrew Beggy, Conor Hand (Capt), Noah Kavanagh, Cillian Farrell, Mark Coen, Michael Callaghan, Cormac Horan, Cian Quigley, Shane Walshe. Replacements: Cormac Kenny, Evin Harnett, Ciarmhac Ó Fionnagáin, Andrew Keating, Thomas Kearn, Lorcan Ivors, James Duffy, Ben McCreary.

Despite a tough opening weekend, there are plenty of positives as new and young players continue to gain valuable experience. The support of the Navan faithful will be vital as all three men’s teams look to bounce back in the weeks ahead.
Upcoming Fixtures
Thursday 28th August
North-East McGowan (J1) Cup – Group 1
Ashbourne vs Navan Men’s J1/2nd XV, Milltown, Ashbourne.

Saturday 30th August
Leinster Senior League – Section B
Navan Men’s 1st XV vs Enniscorthy, Balreask Old, Kick-Off 3:00pm

Navan RFC’s Molly Egan Makes Ireland

Navan RFC’s Molly Egan who represented Ireland in the 2025 British & Irish Cup

U22 Tag Rugby Debut
Navan RFC’s Molly Egan represented Ireland at the 2025 British & Irish Cup in
Nottingham last weekend, lining out for the Ireland U22 Women’s Tag Rugby team.
Egan was one of eleven debutants named by Head Coach Alan O’Brien and Assistant
Coach Gareth Airey in the side, which faced three test matches against Great Britain on
Saturday.

Match Results – Ireland U22 Women
● Game 1: Great Britain 9 – 8 Ireland
● Game 2: Great Britain 12 – 0 Ireland
● Game 3: Great Britain 4 – 5 Ireland
Series Result: Great Britain 2 – 1 Ireland
Across the wider competition, which featured eleven different age-grade and mixed
categories, overall honours were awarded based on cumulative match results:
● Overall British & Irish Cup 2025 Result:
Great Britain 13.5 – 5.5 Ireland
Season of Recognition
Egan’s selection crowns what has already been an outstanding season for the Navan RFC
player. Earlier this year, she was also named to the 2025 DkIT Future Stars of Rugby
Women’s XV, recognising emerging talent from across the Leinster North-East region.
Her performances in Nottingham underline her rising status and mark another proud moment
for both Egan and Navan RFC.

Vodafone Women’s Interprovincial Championship –
Round Three
Connacht 12 Leinster 17
Navan RFC’s Rosie Searle made her first senior start for Leinster, lining out at Number 8 in Galway’s Dexcom Stadium. Searle put in a strong 40-minute first-half performance before being replaced by debutant Aoife Corcoran at the break. The win secured Leinster’s place in the Interprovincial Final against Munster on Saturday.

30th August, Energia Park, Donnybrook.
Navan RFC player/coach Michelle Claffey, who serves as Leinster Women’s Backs
Coach, will be part of the preparations leading up to the decider.
Full Match Reports on the Leinster Rugby Website:
https://www.leinsterrugby.ie/2025/08/23/leinster-women-make-final/

Women’s RWC Watch Party at Balreask Old
Navan RFC hosted a hugely successful Rugby World Cup Watch Party on Sunday as Ireland got their Pool C campaign underway with an opening win against Japan. The Balreask Old clubhouse was packed with supporters young and old, all donning green and roaring the team on from the first whistle. At half-time, the crowd was treated to a special Q&A session with former Irish internationals and current NRFC coaches and players:
● Sinead Ryan – Rugby World Cup 2006 & 2010
● Jackie Shiels – Rugby World Cup 2010 & 2014 (Navan RFC Women’s Head Coach)
● Jennie Finlay – Six Nations 2017
● Michelle Claffey – Six Nations 2018–2020 (Leinster Women’s Backs Coach)
Their insights, stories, and encouragement for the next generation created a brilliant atmosphere that reflected the pride Navan RFC has in its strong women’s rugby tradition. The day was rounded off with raffle prizes and plenty of celebrations as Ireland began their World Cup journey in style.