RAINEY…………………………………….24

NAVAN……………………………………..19

(Half-Time: Rainey 12 Navan 12)

 Energia All-Ireland League Men’s Division 2B – Round 13

Hatrick Park, Magherafelt  Saturday 7th February

Navan Men’s 1st XV travelled north on Saturday to face play-off contenders Rainey in Round 13 of the Energia All-Ireland League Division 2B and came away with a hard-fought losing bonus point after an evenly contested encounter. Head Coach Ryan “Robbo” Roberts named a side featuring a number of changes, including first senior start at out-half for Jaeic Timmons, who delivered a composed and assured performance. There was also a senior debut for Declan O’Connor, introduced from the bench, and the young forward marked the occasion in style with a try.

Continuing the club’s development pathway, Thomas Kearns and Philip Smyth travelled with the squad as injury reserves, maintaining the initiative of including a forward and back from the Men’s U20s squad on away matchdays to support their progression within the senior
environment. It was also a special milestone day for Gavin Yore, who marked his 100th matchday with the Navan RFC Senior Men’s 1st XV in his role as team physio — a fantastic achievement and a testament to his long-standing commitment and dedication to the group.

Navan RFC Men’s 1st’s Debutants, Declan O’Connor & Jaeic Timmons

Match Summary
Both sides were evenly matched in the opening half. Rainey struck first with an early unconverted try, but Navan responded well and grew into the contest. The sides exchanged further scores, each registering a converted try, leaving the game finely balanced at 12–12 at
the break.
Rainey seized the initiative early in the second half, crossing for two tries, one converted, to establish a lead that ultimately proved decisive. Navan showed great resilience and refused to go away, and the visitors were rewarded when Declan O’Connor crossed for a try on his
senior debut, ensuring Navan claimed a valuable losing bonus point at full-time. Navan now head into a short break before returning to Balreask Old at the end of February to host Buccaneers.

RAINEY: Ross McLaughlin; Andrew Donaghy, Killene Thornton, Jim McCartney, Andrew Brown; Scott McLean, Lorcan Quinn; Andrew Nevin, Daniel O’Neill, Calum Smyth, Ronan McCusker, Tom Hutchinson, Adam Montgomery, Michael McCusker (capt), Jody McMurray. Replacements: Eoin McGuckin, Thomas McNicholl, Kieran Donaghy, Ewan Bolton, Tom Crozier.

NAVAN: Shane Walshe; Will Finegan, Ben McEntagart, Tom Gavigan, Cormac Horan; Jeaic Timmons, Kit Waddington; Liam Carroll, Fionn Craik, Gary Faulkner, Ben McCreary, Karolis Navickas, Michael Brady, Conor Farrell (capt), Harry Hester. Replacements: Shane O’Connor, Saul Harris, Johnny McKeown, Declan O’Connor, Mark Farrell.

Scorers: Rainey: Tries: Ronan McCusker, Michael McCusker, Jody McMurray 2; Cons: Scott McLean 2 Navan: Tries: Shane Walshe, Karolis Navickas, Declan O’Connor; Cons: Tom Gavigan 2

 

Energia All-Ireland League Men’s Division 2B – Round 13 Results: (Sat 7th Feb)
● Buccaneers 33 Skerries 14, Dubarry Park, Athlone.
● Clogher Valley 31 Enniscorthy 0, The Cran, Fivemiletown.
● Galwegians 19 UL Bohemian 14, Crowley Park, Galway.
● Malone 29 Sligo 25, Gibson Park, Belfast.
● Rainey 24 Navan 19, Hatrick Park, Magherafelt.
Energia All-Ireland League Men’s Division 2B – League Table

Energia All-Ireland League Men’s Division 2B – Round 14 Fixtures:
(Sat 28th February, all 2:30pm KO)
● Enniscorthy V Rainey, Alcast Park, Enniscorthy.
● Navan V Buccaneers, Balreask Old, Navan.
● Skerries V Malone, Holmpatrick, Skerries.
● Sligo V Galwegians, Hamilton Park, Sligo.
● UL Bohemian V Clogher Valley, UL4G, Limerick.