SLIGO…………………………………35

NAVAN………………………………..18

(Half-Time: Sligo 21 Navan 6)

Hamilton Park, Sligo.

Energia All-Ireland League Men’s Division 2B – Round Nine (Saturday 13th Dec)

Navan RFC Senior Men endured a disappointing end to the 2025 calendar year as they fell to defeat away to Sligo in Hamilton Park on Saturday. The home side made a fast start, crossing inside ten minutes through Will Whelan, with Euan Brown adding the conversion. Sligo extended their advantage midway through the half when a collapsed scrum close to the Navan line resulted in a penalty try.

Navan responded well and kept themselves in contention through the boot of Harrison Astley, who landed two penalties to reduce the deficit. However, Sligo struck again before the break, with Andrew Ward finishing well and Brown converting to give the hosts a 21–6 lead at half-time.

Sligo resumed with intent after the restart, adding a fourth try through Louis McVitty, again converted by Brown. Navan showed resilience and were rewarded with a penalty try on 59 minutes before Johnny McKeown crossed shortly after to give the visitors hope.

Any chance of a late comeback was ended when Luke Timms scored Sligo’s fifth try in the closing stages, Brown converting to seal the win.
Navan will now look to regroup over the break ahead of the reverse fixture against Sligo early in 2026 at Balreask Old.

NAVAN RFC Men’s 1st XV Squad “Sponsored by Hannon Travel”: Tom Gavigan; Harry Devlin, Will Finegan, Ben McEntagart, Mark Coen; Harrison Astley, Kit Waddington; Gary Faulkner, Fionn Craik, Liam Carroll, Jordan Finney, Karolis Navickas, Oisin Heffernan, Johnny McKeown, Conor Farrell (capt). Replacements: Shane O’Connor, Saul Nicholson, Harry Hester, Andrew Beggy, Cormac Horan.

SLIGO: Cameron Griffith; Louis McVitty, Mark McGlynn, Euan Brown, Will Whelan; Cillian O’Neill, Andrew Ward; Oisin Lawley, Matthew Earley (capt), Kuba Wojtkowicz, Ciaran Cummins, Evin Ballantine, Eoin Ryan, James O’Hehir, Facundo Dellemea. Replacements: Luke Timms, Ciaran Cassidy, Max O’Hehir, Aorelian Durkin, Conor Moore.

Scorers: Sligo: Tries: Will Whelan, Andrew Ward, Penalty try, Louis McVitty, Luke Timms; Cons: Euan Brown 4, Pen try con
Navan: Tries: Penalty try, Johnny McKeown; Con: Pen try con; Pens: Harrison Astley 2

Energia All-Ireland League Men’s Division 2B – Round 9 Results: Saturday 13th December
● Sligo 35 Navan 18, Hamilton Park, Sligo.
● Clogher Valley 43 Buccaneers 14, The Cran, Fivemiletown.
● Galwegians 61 Skerries 0, Crowley Park, Galway.
● Rainey 22 Malone 13, Magherafelt.
● UL Bohemian 31 Enniscorthy 17, University of Limerick 4G.
Energia All-Ireland League Men’s Division 2B – League Table

Energia AIL Men’s Division 2B – Round 10 Fixtures: Sat 10th January, 2:30pm Kick-Off
● Buccaneers V Clogher Valley, Dubarry Park, Athlone.
● Enniscorthy V UL Bohemian, Alcast Park, Enniscorthy.
● Malone V Rainey, Gibson Park, Belfast.
● Navan V Sligo, Balreask Old, Navan.
● Skerries V Galwegians, Holmpatrick, Skerries.

Women’s 1st XV
Leinster Women’s League Division 1 (Sunday 14th December)
Navan 76 V  New Ross 7
Balreask Old, Navan.
Navan Women’s 1st XV produced a stunning display on Sunday as they powered past New Ross at Balreask Old, running in 12 tries in a dominant 76–7 victory. Determined to respond after their earlier defeat away to New Ross at the start of the campaign, Navan set the tone early despite playing into a strong breeze. Two early tries and a conversion inside the opening 15 minutes put the hosts firmly on the front foot.
New Ross attempted to impose themselves through a physical forward effort and enjoyed periods of possession, particularly at the set-piece. However, Navan’s quick hands and expansive play caused constant problems, with centre Molly Fitzgerald making a series of
incisive breaks to extend the lead. A late first-half try from the visitors reduced the deficit to 22–7 at the break, but that was as
good as it got for New Ross. Navan tightened defensively in the second half and gradually took full control of the contest.

As fatigue set in for the visitors, Navan’s pace and effective use of substitutions proved decisive, with substitute Shona White making a major impact through the middle. Molly Fitzgerald was deservedly named Player of the Match following an outstanding all-round performance.
Navan Player of the Match “Sponsored by The Central”: Molly Fitzgerald;
Navan Women’s 1st XV Squad “Sponsored by P. Bermingham’s Bar”: Emily Jo White, Ava Kiechler, Emma Looby, Katie Kearney, Nicola Bolger, Ava Galvin, Aoife Ryan, Rosie Searle, Alex Connor, Anna Bolger, Lauren Kelly, Michelle Claffey, Molly Fitzgerald, Sophia Murdock, Lillian Brady.
Replacements: Sharon Lynch, Shona White, Rebecca Lowry, Jackie Shiels, Áine Castles, Anita Lennon, Allie Flynn.
Next Fixture: Sunday 11th January, V Wicklow, KO 1pm.
Leinster Women’s Division 1 – League Table
# Team P W D L F A +/- BP Pts

1 Navan 8 6 1 1 368 94 274 8 34

2 MU Barnhall 7 6 1 0 213 60 153 6 32

3 New Ross 7 5 0 2 177 197 -20 6 26

4 Balbriggan 8 4 0 4 215 263 -48 5 21

5 Tullamore 7 3 0 4 144 146 -2 5 17

6 Wicklow J1 6 2 0 4 91 153 -62 3 9

7 Naas 8 2 0 6 130 239 -109 3 9

8 Athy 7 0 0 7 89 275 -186 5 5

Women’s 2nd XV


Leinster Women’s League Division 3 (Sunday 14th December)
Navan 12 South East Lions 35
Balreask Old, Navan.

Navan Women’s 2nd XV faced a stern test on Sunday as they welcomed league leaders
South East Lions to Balreask Old. The visitors, an Enniscorthy and Wexford Wanderers combination, showed why they sit at the top of the table with a dominant first-half display, crossing four times to establish a 26–0 lead at the interval. Navan responded with great determination after the break and significantly improved their performance. Sustained pressure in the Lions’ half was rewarded with two well-earned tries, while the home side limited their opponents to just two scores in the second period.
Despite the final scoreline, it was an encouraging second-half showing from Navan, who showed resilience and commitment against one of the strongest sides in the division. There were plenty of positives to take into the Christmas break. Keelan O’Connor was deservedly named Navan’s Player of the Match for her tireless work throughout. Navan now pause for the festive period and will look to return refreshed in the New Year, where they will kick-off 2026 with a home “Meath Derby” against Ashbourne in Balreask Old.

Navan Player of the Match “Sponsored by The Central”: Keelan O’Connor
Navan Women’s J1/2nd XV Squad “Sponsored by P. Bermingham’s Bar”: Lisa O’Neill, Sinead Ryan, Mary-Louise Bridgeman, Anna Mennis, Anna Marchant, Keelan O’Connor, Tara Quinn, Martina O’Neill, Paula Keating, Ciara Quinn, Anna McGarry, Aisling Kelly, Geraldine Lynch, Leanne O’Neill, Niamh Lister.
Replacements: Hannah Ettie, Mairead Carty, Niamh Callaghan, Victoria Quinn, Sarah White, Sarah Woodroofe, Siobhain Beggy.
Next Fixture: Sunday 11th January, V’s Ashbourne, Balreask Old, 1pm.
Leinster Women’s Div 3 – League Table

# Team P W D L F A +/- BP Pts

1 Kilkenny 8 7 0 1 224 92 132 6 34

2 South East Lions 8 6 1 1 273 59 214 6 32

3 Ashbourne 7 5 1 1 234 94 140 5 27

4 Navan J1 8 3 0 5 119 195 -76 3 15

5 Longford 8 3 0 5 84 228 -144 2 14

6 MU Barnhall J1 7 2 0 5 108 206 -98 5 13

7 Dublin University 8 2 0 6 104 192 -88 3 11

8 Roscrea 8 2 0 6 135 215 -80 3 9

Men’s Under 20’s
Challenge Match (Friday 12th December)


Navan 41 Blue Runnings (South Africa) 12
Balreask Old, Navan.
Navan Under 20s produced an impressive performance on Friday night as they welcomed South African touring side Blue Runnings to Balreask Old for an entertaining challenge match. From the outset, Navan played with pace and intent, moving the ball well and applying constant pressure. Tries from Kade Su’a, Saul Harris and Declan O’Connor helped the hosts establish control, while Cormac Kenny and Simon Dizon both crossed twice as Navan stretched their advantage with a series of well-worked scores.
Philip Smyth added three conversions to cap a polished attacking display, as Navan showed composure and structure throughout the contest against physical opposition.

Blue Runnings battled gamely and found the line on two occasions, but Navan’s defence remained solid and disciplined, ensuring the visitors were kept at arm’s length for much of the evening. It was a valuable run-out for the squad and an enjoyable occasion for players and supporters alike, as Navan finished the calendar year on a high note. Simon Dizon was deservedly named Navan Player of the Match following an outstanding all-round performance..
Navan Player of the Match “Sponsored by The Central”: Simon Dizon.
Navan Men’s Under 20’s (Sponsored by JJ Duffy): Cormac Kenny, Caolan Duffy, Thomas Kearns, Saul Harris, Ben McCreary, Ben O’Hare, Kade Su’a, Robin Hamill, Noah Kavanagh, Philip Smyth, Simon Dizon, Michael Callaghan, Declan O’Connor, Ciall Flynn, Evan Whyte.
Replacements: Lorcan Caffrey, Jack Smith, Conor Browne, Alexander Iljin, Luke Kennedy, Keelan McKenna, Lachlan Maguire.

Girls Under 18’s
Leinster U18 Girls Grading Group D (Saturday 13th December)
Wolves 22 Navan 24
Clondalkin RFC.
Navan Under 18 girls secured a dramatic away victory on Saturday, edging past Wolves
24–22 in a thrilling contest played in blustery but dry conditions at Clondalkin RFC.
Wolves, an amalgamation of several clubs, made early use of the strong wind at their backs
to open the scoring. Navan responded superbly, keeping ball in hand and moving it the
length of the pitch for Sarah Byrne to finish in the left corner.
From the restart, Navan again showed their attacking intent, powering through the middle
before Ellen Vuckovic crossed for a second try. Maggie Kerin added an excellent conversion
into the wind to give Navan a narrow lead, but Wolves struck back to leave the hosts 10–12
ahead at half-time.
The second half remained fiercely competitive. Wolves regained the lead with a long-range
score, only for Emma O’Rourke to respond immediately with a try from a quick tap penalty.
Another Wolves score set up a tense finish, but with the final minute approaching, Derinn
McDonnell showed great pace to break clear and touch down for the decisive try.
Emma O’Rourke was deservedly named Navan’s Player of the Match after an outstanding
performance.
Navan Under 18 Girls Squad:

Aimée Kealy, Dara Brady, Amelia Lynch, Roisin Clarke, Emma Hyland, Maeve Sheehy,
Grace Evelyn McWeeney, Amy Kennedy, Shera Creamer, Maggie Kerin, Araceli (Tati) Ayesa
Garcia, Emma O’Rourke, Sarah Byrne, Derinn McDonnell, Anna-Mae Tracey.
Replacements:
Oliwia Kozlowska, Ciara Byrne, Katie Lynch, Gráinne Vaughan, Ellen Vuckovic, Evie
McDonnell, Sine Curley, Aisling Caffrey.

Girls Under 14’s
Leinster Under 14 Girls Grading Group D (Saturday 13th December)
Carlingford 0 Navan 30
Carlingford Knights RFC.
Navan Under-14 girls delivered an excellent away performance on Saturday, recording a
comprehensive 30–0 victory over Carlingford in Leinster Grading Group D.
Navan were dominant throughout, combining strong defence with confident attacking play to
control the game from start to finish. The team’s organisation and work rate ensured
Carlingford were kept scoreless, while Navan consistently applied pressure across the pitch.
There were notable contributions from two debutants. Cadhla Wall made her first
appearance in rugby and had an immediate impact, providing the assist for a well-taken try
by Cara Reynolds. Ella Vasselin also impressed on her Navan debut after transferring from
North Meath, producing a powerful and composed display in the front row.
It was a superb all-round team performance and another encouraging step in the group’s
development. Congratulations to all the players and coaches on an excellent result.
The squad now enjoys a well-earned Christmas break before returning to action in January.
Navan Under 14 Girls Squad:
Michaela Spillane, Libbie Horan, Fiadh Stafford, Finley Clarke, Alayna Gilleece, Holly
Owens, Chloe Goodwin, Alice Larkin, Aoibheann Fletcher, Leah McLoughlin, Fiadh Stafford,
Cara Reynolds, Rory Mai Daly, Róisín Regan, Charlotte Hevey, Ella Vasselin, Cadhla Wall,
Sophie Lee.