Galwegians……………………………….50
Navan……………………………………….15
(HT: Galwegians 22 Navan 3)
Energia All-Ireland League Division 2B – Round 11
Saturday 24th January | Crowley Park, Galway
Navan RFC Men’s 1st XV made the long trip west to Crowley Park to face unbeaten league leaders Galwegians in round eleven of the Energia All-Ireland League Division 2B, coming up against a home side very much in imperious form. Injuries forced a reshuffle in the Navan matchday squad, creating opportunities for a number of younger players, while Oisin Heffernan captained the side for the first time, leading the team out in Galway.
Galwegians struck first through Andrew Sherlock, who crossed for a converted try. Navan responded positively with a well-taken Tom Gavigan penalty, but the home side soon underlined why they sit top of the table. Tries from Stephen Mannion, Jack Winters, and Rob Deacy, the first after a prolonged multi-phase attack saw Galwegians take a commanding 22–3 lead into the interval.
The hosts carried that momentum into the second half, adding further tries through Oisín McKey and Sherlock’s second of the afternoon. Navan, to their credit, began to enjoy a sustained period of possession and made it count. Tom Gavigan intercepted to score under
the posts and added the conversion himself, before Mark Coen finished well in the left corner to reduce the deficit to 36–15 heading into the final quarter.
Galwegians finished strongly, however, with McKey completing his brace and Albert Lindner adding another to close out a dominant 50–15 victory for the league leaders.
While the scoreline was a tough one, Navan can take positives from the opportunities given to younger players and moments of second-half resilience. The focus now turns to a huge home challenge next weekend, as second-placed Clogher Valley visit Balreask Old in round
twelve. A big occasion at home awaits where support will be crucial as Navan looks to respond and make the home Balreask Old atmosphere count.
NAVAN RFC Men’s 1st XV Squad “Sponsored by Hannon Travel”: Shane Walshe; Will Finegan, Ben McEntagart, Tom Gavigan, Mark Coen; Harrison Astley, Kit Waddington; Liam Carroll, Fionn Craik, Gary Faulkner, Saul Nicholson, Karolis Navickas, Ben McCreary, Oisin
Heffernan (capt), Andrew Beggy. Replacements: Shane O’Connor, Harry Hester, Luke Dolan, Cormac Horan, Mark Farrell.
Navan RFC Player of the Match (Sponsored by The Central): Ben McCreary
GALWEGIANS: Tiarnan Neville; Darragh Kennedy, Rob Deacy, Stephen Mannion, Oisin McKey; Conor O’Shaughnessy, Andrew Sherlock; Jack Winters, Ryan Smith, Tom Gormley, Rob Holian, David Walsh, Jarrad Butler, Bobby Power, Éanna McCarthy. Replacements: Eoin Ferry, Luke Murtagh, Rory Gavin, Albert Lindner, Eoghan Fahy.
Scorers: Galwegians: Tries: Andrew Sherlock 2, Stephen Mannion, Jack Winters, Rob Deacy, Oisin McKey 2, Albert Lindner; Cons: Conor O’Shaughnessy 2, Tiarnan Neville 3
Navan: Tries: Tom Gavigan, Mark Coen; Con: Tom Gavigan; Pen: Tom Gavigan
Energia All-Ireland League Men’s Division 2B – Round 11 Results: (Sat 24th Jan)
● Clogher Valley 26 Skerries 0, The Cran, Fivemiletown.
● Galwegians 50 Navan 15, Crowley Park, Galway.
● Rainey 23 Buccaneers 22, Hatrick Park, Magherafelt.
● Sligo 39 Enniscorthy 15, Hamilton Park, Sligo.
● UL Bohemian 40 Malone 17, University of Limerick 4G.
