NAVAN………………………………..3

GALWEGIANS…………………….24

(HT: Navan 0 Galwegians 12)

Balreask Old, Navan

Energia All-Ireland League Men’s Division 2B – Round Eight (Sat 6th Dec)

Navan faced a formidable test on Saturday as unbeaten league leaders Galwegians arrived at Balreask Old for Round Eight of the Energia All-Ireland League Division 2B. Wet and windy conditions added to the challenge, and the visitors’ well-drilled pack set the tone from the outset. Galwegians struck first after ten minutes, with winger Darragh Kennedy crossing for an unconverted try. Despite Navan’s attempts to build territory, the Westerners’ defensive structure held firm. Their pressure was rewarded shortly before the interval when scrum-half Albert Lindner sniped over, with Conor O’Shaughnessy converting for a 12–0 half-time lead.

Navan found their first points just two minutes into the second half. A penalty inside the Galwegians half allowed full-back Harrison Astley to narrow the gap. However, the league leaders responded ruthlessly. Second-row David Walsh powered over for their third try before replacement front-row Eoin Ferry added a fourth, O’Shaughnessy converting one to seal a bonus-point victory.

Despite a strong defensive work rate and moments of resilience, Navan struggled to break down a confident and in-form Galwegians side who maintained their perfect record at the top of the table. Navan now turn their focus to next weekend’s away trip to Sligo, their final fixture of the calendar year.

Scorers: Navan: Pen: Harrison Astley Galwegians: Tries: Darragh Kennedy, Albert Lindner, David Walsh, Eoin Ferry; Cons: Conor O’Shaughnessy 2.NAVAN RFC Men’s 1st XV Squad “Sponsored by Hannon Travel”: Harrison Astley; Mark Coen, Will Finegan, Ben McEntagart, Shane Walshe; Tom Gavigan, Kit Waddington; Liam Carroll, Gary Faulkner, Jordan Finney, Saul Nicholson, Karolis Navickas, Oisin Heffernan, Johnny McKeown, Conor Farrell (capt). Replacements: Fionn Craik, Shane O’Connor, Andrew Beggy, Kade Su’a, Harry Devlin.

GALWEGIANS: Cian Brady; Darragh Kennedy, Cody Farrell, Stephen Mannion, Eoghan Fahy; Conor O’Shaughnessy, Albert Lindner; Jack Winters (capt), Ryan Smith, Tom Gormley, Rob Holian, David Walsh, Liam Angermann, Bobby Power, Jarrad Butler. Replacements: Eoin Ferry, Dylan Keane, Éanna McCarthy, Tiarnan Neville, Luke Casserly.

Energia All-Ireland League Men’s Division 2B – Round 8 Results: (Sat 6th Dec)
● Buccaneers 15 Rainey 7, Dubarry Park, Athlone.
● Enniscorthy 12 Sligo 42, Alcast Park, Enniscorthy.
● Malone 30 UL Bohemian 29, Gibson Park, Belfast.
● Navan 3 Galwegians 24, Balreask Old, Navan.
● Skerries 10 Clogher Valley 28, Holmpatrick, Skerries.

Energia All-Ireland League Men’s Division 2B – League Table

 

Energia AIL Men’s Division 2B – Round 9 Fixtures: (Sat 13th Dec)
● Sligo V Navan, Hamilton Park, Sligo. 2pm.
● Clogher Valley V Buccaneers, The Cran, Fivemiletown. 2:30pm.
● Galwegians V Skerries, Crowley Park, Galway. 2:30pm.