Navan…………………………13
Ballyclare……………………..8
Balreask Old, Navan.
(Half-Time: 13-0)
Energia All-Ireland League Men’s Division 2B North – Round 4 (Saturday 24th October)
Navan RFC’s Men’s 1st XV secured their maiden victory of the Energia All-Ireland League Division 2B North campaign on Saturday afternoon, overcoming both Ulster rivals Ballyclare and difficult conditions in a 13–8 battle at Balreask Old. Played in wet and blustery conditions ahead of the arrival of Storm Boelo, Navan made full use of the strong wind at their backs in the opening half. Relying on direct forward play, the home side pinned Ballyclare deep inside their own territory early on.
Navan opened the scoring in the seventh minute when a set-piece lineout inside the Ballyclare 22 allowed flanker Ewan Groenewald to burst through off the tail of the maul and cross for the game’s opening try. The home side doubled their lead ten minutes later. After forcing a lineout near the visitors’ try line, Navan set up a rolling maul that powered its way over the whitewash, with hooker Fionn Craik grounding the ball for Navan’s second try.
Out-half Mark Farrell added a crucial penalty on the stroke of half-time to send Navan into the break with a 13–0 lead. Ballyclare came out strong after the restart, taking advantage of the wind behind them. Within two minutes of the second half, back-rower Luke McIlwrath forced his way over for the visitors’ opening try. A 64th-minute penalty from Jordan McAuley cut Navan’s lead to five points, setting up a tense final quarter.
Navan scrumhalf; Kit Waddington feeds the ball into the scum against Ballyclare in Balreask Old on Saturday.
Ballyclare attempted to expand their game and kick behind the home defence, but Navan’s back-three of Philip Smyth, Greg Edogun, and Shane Walshe, alongside replacement Ciarán McCarrick, fielded the kicks cleanly under pressure and launched counter-attacks to clear
their lines. Navan’s forward pack held firm during the closing stages. Substitute front-rower; Shane O’Connor was named Player of the Match for his impactful second-half performance, helping maintain physical momentum in the heavy conditions.
Navan will aim to build on this performance on Saturday, 31st October, when they travel to the North-West to face Sligo RFC at Hamilton Park (2:30 PM kick-off).
Navan RFC Men’s 1st XV Matchday Squad: Philip Smyth, Greg Edogun, Luke Bryan, Ben McEntagart (capt), Shane Walshe, Mark Farrell, Kit Waddington; Gary Faulkner, Fionn Craik, Andrew Keating, Eoghan Noonan, Koen Jansen, Niall Hurley, Ewan Groenewald, Harry Hester.
Replacements: Shane O’Connor, Matthew Clinton, James Duffy, Alex Carter, Ciarán McCarrick.
Navan Scorers: Tries: Ewan Groenewald (7′), Fionn Craik (17′). Penalties: Mark Farrell (40+3′).
Ballyclare Scorers: Tries: Luke Mcllwrath (42′). Penalties: Jordan McAuley (64′).
