It was a landmark day for the women’s pathway at Balreask Old as four Navan RFC players stepped onto the pitch at Virgin Media Park in Cork on Saturday, 8th August, to represent Leinster in the opening round of the provincial championships. Features spanned across both senior and age-grade levels, showcasing the remarkable depth of talent currently being cultivated at the club. Navan RFC Leinster players Alex Connor, Rosie Searle and Shona White pictured after the game.
CHAMPIONSHIP – ROUND 1- MUNSTER 39 LEINSTER 19, Virgin Media Park, Cork.
Scorers: Munster: Tries: Beth Buttimer 4, Alana McInerney, Eilís Cahill, Katie Corrigan; Cons: Caitríona Finn 2
Leinster: Tries: Sarah Delaney, Erin King, Hannah Wilson; Cons: Dannah O’Brien 2
Half-Time: Munster 15 Leinster 7 Referee: S Daly, IRFU.
In the senior curtain-raiser of the 2026 Vodafone Women’s Interprovincial Championship, Leinster faced a tough 39–19 defeat away to reigning champions Munster. Despite the scoreline, it was a momentous day for Navan RFC, with three home-grown stars heavily involved in the matchday 23. Senior standout Rosie Searle retained her starting jersey, lining out at blindside flanker (#6) and putting in a grueling defensive shift against a physical Munster pack.
The afternoon was made even more special as both Alex Connor and Shona White earned their first senior provincial caps, entering the fray as second-half replacements: Alex Connor (#21) entered the match in the 52nd minute at scrum-half, replacing starting half-back and former Navan RFC youth player; Jade Gaffney. Shona White (#18) introduced her trademark physicality five minutes from time, packing down in the front row to help shore up the Leinster scrum.
Their debuts mark a significant personal milestone, particularly for Shona, whose meteoric rise from picking up a rugby ball just two years ago to earning a senior Leinster cap serves as a true inspiration for the entire club. Leinster Rugby Matchday Squad:
(Origin Club / Current Club)
15. Robyn O’Connor (Wexford Wanderers / Old Belvedere RFC)
14. Maggie Boylan (Carrick-on-Suir RFC / Blackrock College)
13. Aoife Dalton (Tullamore RFC / Old Belvedere RFC)
12. Eve Higgins (MU Barnhall RFC / Railway Union RFC)*
11. Vicky Elmes Kinlan (Wicklow RFC)
10. Dannah O’Brien (Tullow RFC / Old Belvedere RFC)
9. Jade Gaffney (Navan RFC / Old Belvedere)
1. Caoimhe Molloy (Gorey RFC / Wicklow RFC)
2. Sarah Delaney (PortDara Falcons / Blackrock College RFC) CAPTAIN
3. Linda Djougang (Wanderers FC / Old Belvedere RFC)
4. Ruth Campbell (Naas RFC / Old Belvedere RFC)
5. Kate Jordan (Naas RFC / Blackrock College)
6. Rosie Searle (Navan RFC)
7. Roisín Kinch (Tullow RFC)*
8. Erin King (Naas RFC / Old Belvedere RFC)*
Replacements:
16. Emma Jane Wilson (Cill Dara RFC / PortDara Falcons)*
17. Hannah Wilson (Cill Dara RFC / Old Belvedere RFC)
18. Shona White (Navan RFC)*
19. Alma Atagamen (Balbriggan RFC)
20. Aoife Corcoran (Coolmine RFC / MU Barnhall RFC)
21. Alex Connor (Navan RFC)*
22. Ellie O’Sullivan Sexton (Mullingar RFC / Old Belvedere)
23. Emma Tilly (MU Barnhall RFC / Old Belvedere RFC)
