Skerries…………………………20

Navan……………………………17

(Half-Time: Skerries 10 Navan 0) Saturday 7th March | Holmpatrick, Skerries.

Navan RFC Men’s 1st XV were narrowly beaten 20–17 by Skerries in a tightly contested Round 15 clash in Energia All-Ireland League Division 2B at Holmpatrick on Saturday. With both sides level on league points heading into the fixture Navan only ahead on point difference the match carried significant importance in the lower half of the table.

The home side made the stronger start and established control during the opening half. Two penalties from Jack Litchfield helped Skerries settle into the game before captain Peter O’Neill crossed for the opening try. Litchfield added the conversion to give Skerries a 10–0 lead at half-time, leaving Navan with work to do after the break.

Navan responded strongly in the second half, finding greater rhythm in attack and applying sustained pressure. Mark Coen got Navan on the scoreboard with a well-taken try, before Kit Waddington added another as the visitors battled their way back into the contest.
Fionn Craik also crossed for Navan, with Tom Gavigan adding a conversion, but Skerries maintained their composure to edge the contest.

A second try from Peter O’Neill, along with Litchfield’s accurate kicking, ultimately proved enough for the hosts to secure the narrow victory.
Navan now have a two-week break before entering the final stretch of the season. Their next fixture sees Malone travel to Balreask Old on Saturday 21st March. Elsewhere in the division, Galwegians secured the Energia All-Ireland League Division 2B title with a comprehensive victory over Malone in Belfast.

NAVAN RFC Men’s 1st XV Squad “Sponsored by Hannon Travel”: Shane Walshe; Declan O’Connor, Ben McEntagart, Tom Gavigan, Mark Coen; Jeaic Timmons, Kit Waddington; Shane O’Connor, Fionn Craik, Gary Faulkner, Saul Nicholson, Karolis Navickas, Michael Brady, Conor Farrell (capt), Harry Hester. Replacements: Eoin King, Thomas Kearns, Ben McCreary, Cormac Horan, Mark Farrell.

Navan: Tries: Mark Coen, Kit Waddington, Fionn Craik; Con: Tom Gavigan

SKERRIES: Jack Litchfield; Rob McKey, Kevin McGrath, Mikey Sherlock, Taidgh Keane Boylan; Paul O’Loghlen, John Healy; Oisin McNamara, Cal Marrey, Griffin Carrick, Ben McKiernan, Rossa Gilbride, Robbie Gallagher, Darragh McEneaney, Peter O’Neill (capt).
Replacements: Trevor Scuffil, Gareth Horan, Conor Nulty, Dara Twomey, James Downes.

Scorers: Skerries: Tries: Peter O’Neill 2; Cons: Jack Litchfield 2; Pens: Jack Litchfield 2

Energia All-Ireland League Men’s Division 2B – Round 15 Results: (Sat 7th
March)
● Buccaneers 26 Enniscorthy 33, Dubarry Park, Athlone.
● Clogher Valley 27 Sligo 26, The Cran, Fivemiletown.
● Malone 15 Galwegians 40, Gibson Park, Belfast.
● Rainey 26 UL Bohemian 24, Hatrick Park, Magherafelt.
● Skerries 20 Navan 17, Holmpatrick, Skerries.

Energia All-Ireland League Men’s Division 2B – Round 16 Fixtures:
(Sat 21st March, all 2:30pm KO)
● Enniscorthy V Skerries, Alcast Park, Enniscorthy.
● Galwegians V Clogher Valley, Crowley Park, Galway.
● Navan V Malone, Balreask Old, Navan.
● Sligo V Rainey, Hamilton Park, Sligo.
● UL Bohemian V Buccaneers, University of Limerick 4G.