Navan………………………..32

Enniscorthy………………..29
Saturday 28th March | Balreask Old
(Half-Time: Navan 20 Enniscorthy 15)

Navan RFC Men’s 1st XV signed off their home campaign in dramatic fashion on Saturday, securing a hard-fought 32–29 victory over Enniscorthy in a thrilling Round 17 encounter at Balreask Old. With both sides looking to create separation near the foot of the table, the game carried a knockout intensity from the outset, with momentum swinging throughout a highly competitive contest.

Navan opened the scoring early through a Tom Gavigan penalty, but Enniscorthy responded quickly with a try from Conal Kervick, followed by a second from Tony Ryan to put the visitors in front. To their credit, Navan responded with intent and urgency. A superb attacking move, sparked by a powerful break from Ben McEntagart, was finished in style by Mark Coen in the corner. It was a try that showcased Navan’s attacking ambition, with quick hands and sharp decision-making unlocking the defence. Navan continued to build momentum, with Johnny McKeown finishing off a sweeping team move following sustained pressure and intelligent recycling.

After the break, Coen added his second try, again finishing off a slick passage of play as Navan moved the ball with confidence and precision. Jeaic Timmons then produced a moment of sharp awareness, blocking down an Enniscorthy clearance to touch down and extend Navan’s lead. Enniscorthy, however, refused to go away and capitalised on errors and lapses in discipline, adding two further tries through Tomás Stamp and James Doyle to keep the contest alive heading into the closing stages. Despite the late pressure, Navan held firm to secure a valuable bonus-point victory in front of their home support.

The result, combined with Skerries’ defeat to UL Bohemian, sees Navan climb two places to eighth in the table heading into the final round of the season, where they travel to Limerick to face UL Bohemian.

Navan RFC Player of the Match Sponsored by “The Central”: Johnny McKeown
Navan RFC Men’s 1st XV Sponsored by “Hannon Travel”: Shane Walshe, Will Finegan, Ben Mc Entagart, Tom Gavigan, Mark Coen, Jeaic Timmons, Kit Waddington, Shane O’Connor, Fionn Craik, Gary Faulkner, Ben McCreary, Karolis Navickas, Johnny McKeown, Michael
Brady, Conor Farrell (capt). Replacements: Liam Carroll, Eoin King, Jordan Finney, Saul Nicholson, Mark Farrell. Scorers Navan: Tries: Mark Coen (23′, 47′), Gary Faulkner (35′), Jeaic Timmons (65′). Cons: Tom Gavigan (23′, 35′, 47′). Pens: Tom Gavigan (5′, 31′).

Enniscorthy: Jack Kelly, Ivan Jacob, Nick Doyle, Shane McGuire, Rhyan Whelan, Conal Kervick, Fiachra Hourihane, Ore Lasisi, Davie Murphy, Scott O’Connor, Tomas Stamp, Timmy Morrissey, James Doyle, Lee Treacy, Tony Ryan. Replacements: Isaac Kearney, Mikey McVeigh, Marco Byrne, Ben Kidd, Andrew Redmond. Scorers Enniscorthy: Tries: Conal Kervick (7′), Tony Ryan (16′), Tomás Stamp (57′), James Doyle (75′). Cons: Conal Kervick (16′), Ben Kidd (57′, 75′). Pen: Conal Kervick (28′).

Above picture; Navan RFC’s Fionn Craik throws the ball to Ben McCreary in the lineout V’s Enniscorthy (Photo: Craig Williamson).

Energia All-Ireland League Men’s Division 2B – Round 17 Results:
(Saturday 28th March)
● Buccaneers 26 Sligo 33, Dubarry Park, Athlone.
● Malone 24 Clogher Valley 15, Gibson Park, Belfast
● Navan 32 Enniscorthy 29, Balreask Old, Navan.
● Rainey 30 Galwegians 40, Hatrick Park, Magherafelt.
● Skerries 20 UL Bohemian 31, Holmpatrick, Skerries.

Energia All-Ireland League Men’s Division 2B – Round 18 Fixtures:
(Saturday 4th April, all 2:30pm KO)
● Clogher Valley V Rainey, The Cran, Fivemiletown.
● Enniscorthy V Malone, Alcast Park, Enniscorthy.
● Galwegians V Buccaneers, Crowley Park, Galway.
● Sligo V Skerries, Hamilton Park, Sligo.
● UL Bohemian V Navan, University of Limerick 4G.