Navan……………………………..45
Edenderry……………………….26
Saturday 25th April | Togher – Portlaoise RFC
Navan RFC Women’s 1st XV finished their debut Division 1 season in spectacular fashion on Saturday, lifting the Bank of Ireland Leinster Paul Flood Women’s Cup after a high-scoring, 11-try contest against Edenderry. In a game defined by momentum swings and clinical finishing, despite a late change to the Meath sides lineup with Mairead Carty coming in for an unwell Ava Galvin, Navan’s power and depth eventually overwhelmed a spirited Edenderry side.
The final began with Edenderry striking first in the 10th minute to take a 7-0 lead. However, the response from Navan was immediate and devastating. Just two minutes later, Shona White, later named Leinster Rugby Player of the Match, ignited the Navan support with a sensational breakthrough try from inside her own half. Navan then hit a purple patch, with Áine Castles and Navan RFC Player’s Player of the Match Anita Lennon crossing the whitewash in quick succession. Captain Anna Bolger was unerring from the tee, converting all three scores to push Navan to a 21-7 lead by the 22nd minute.
Edenderry refused to yield, clawing back two tries, one of which while Navan were down to 14 players following a yellow card for Shona White. At the interval, the game hung in the balance at 21-19. Navan re-asserted their dominance early in the second period. Áine Castles secured her second try brace in the 51st minute, followed closely by Molly Fitzgerald crossing the line. Bolger’s conversion pushed the gap to 14 points.
While Edenderry struck back on the hour mark to keep it a one-score game (33-26), Navan’s bench provided the necessary steel to close out the final. The re-introduction of Sharon Lynch and the tactical arrival of Jackie Shiels proved pivotal. In the final three minutes, Navan put the result beyond doubt. Emily Jo White crashed over in the 77th minute, and Molly Fitzgerald put the gloss on the performance with her second try of the day in the 79th minute. Shiels added the final conversion to spark wild celebrations at the full-time whistle.
Beyond the scoreboard, this victory caps a historic season for Navan RFC, which saw the club field three competitive senior women’ s teams across Leinster Divisions 1, 3, and 6. The club extends its sincere thanks to Portlaoise RFC for their hospitality, and to our dedicated sponsors: P. Berminghams Bar (Ludlow St), Joe Norris Motors, Grange Construction, and all our individual position sponsors. Your support has been the backbone of this success.
Navan RFC Women’s 1st XV squad “Sponsored by P. Berminghams Bar”:
Emma Looby, Sharon Lynch, Ava Kiechler, Katie Kearney, Shona White, Louise Crinion, Aoife Ryan, Rosie Searle, Anita Lennon, Anna Bolger (Capt), Sophia Murdock, Emily Jo White, Molly Fitzgerald, Áine Castles, Lauren Kelly, Sinead Ryan, Lauren Fitzpatrick, Mairead Carty, Louise Coyle, Lillian Brady, Michelle Claffey, Jackie Shiels.
