All-Ireland success for Navan u-11 players

Navan RFC won the under-11 Joe Moran All-Ireland Challenge Cup at Naas on Saturday and bridged an 11-year gap since the last success.

Navan RFC Past President Michael Gavigan had advised the u-11s that the blitz was worth attending as teams from across Ireland would be competing and it would be a great barometer to gauge progress. 

On a glorious day bathed in sunshine 27 of the u-11 squad arrived at the venue, but due to the Bank Holiday a lot of the players were unable to make the trip.

Opposition included Cavan, Wicklow, Clonmel, Kirby (UK team), North Kildare, Naas, Lisburn and Cork Con. 

The matches were a straight 12 minutes with no half-time. 

Navan had been asked to field three teams (10 players each) as there had been withdrawals from other squads. 

This meant that some of the Navan players did not get much of a rest so after the first couple of fixturethey formed two equally balanced teams, rather than the three.

The two teams played exceptionally well. The cleaning out had been a key focus before the games to ensure fast ball was delivered to the back line. 

Tackling was also emphasised to the lads as missed tackles would be punished by the opposing teams.

The u-11s have always been a good passing side and many of the tries were scored on the wings. 

However, the midfield continually punched holes in the opposition's defensive line and gaps were created and exploited regularly.

Each of the two teams played six games each and were complimented by the opposition sides for their organisation and running rugby. 

The lads did Navan RFC proud and at the end of the fixtures all the sides congregated for the awards ceremony. 

The runner-up prize went to the UK team Kirby, who like most sides at the tournament had two teams in competition. 

After announcing the runner-up prize there was trepidation across the whole audience to see who had won. 

When Navan RFC was announced as winners, the players, the coaches and the parents could hardly believe it. 

The result was based on all aspects of rugby including respect to both the referees and the opposition, the standard of rugby including tackling, rucking, passing as well as the results.

"It has been a long season and we look forward to one more blitz in Limerick next week as part of the end of season tour where players, coaches and parents will again come together," commented a club official.

"I would like to say a quick thank you to all the coaches this year; John Davis, Damien Dixon, Patrick Martin, Alan Kennedy, Colm McAniff, Leigh Murray and Eddie Burke. 

"Also, big thanks to our team manager Dermot Flynn who ensures everything runs like clockwork. 

"Thank you also to the parents for their continued support and of course the whole squad of 45 players who continue to evolve as lads both on and off the pitch. We look forward to next year, our final year as minis," concluded the club official.