Narrow victory for Navan seconds

NAVAN progressed to the second round of the Provincial Seconds Cup when they defeated Athy in a dogged encounter at Balreask Old on Sunday afternoon. As the scoreline indicates this was very much a case of nip and tuck however, despite the narrow winning margin, Navan were always in control. Navan played with a strong wind behind them in the first-half and opened the scoring early on when Brian McCormack punished Athy for indiscipline with a cleanly-struck penalty. Navan played clever rugby in difficult conditions and although the pitch was showing the scars of the last few weeks they proved they had the ability to play a 10-man controlled game, while also spinning the ball wide when the opportunity arose. Midway through the first-half McCormack scored a second penalty to extend Navan"s lead to 6-0. At this stage Navan were completely dominant and only some fine defending by Athy prevented the home team from crossing the try line on a number of occasions. Navan started the second-half playing into the wind and some fine play from Barney Byrne, McCormack and Sean Gallagher ensured that the home side stayed on top. Athy took the first score of the half from a penalty kick that reduced the deficit to three points however shortly afterwards, McCormack converted his third penalty to restore Navan"s six point lead, 9-3. Once again it was Navan who controlled the play and Athy were left to do the defending. There was a feeling that if Navan managed to score their first try, Athy"s defence would have crumbled and the home side could have run in a handful of scores. As it happened, it was Athy who grabbed the next score with another well-taken penalty to leave the score at 9-6. In the dying moments of the game, Navan players and supporters had a nervous time when Athy were awarded a kickable penalty inside the Navan '22" which they missed. This was true 'provincial' cup rugby, no quarter given or expected, and as a spectacle it was only for the diehards. The Navan men now face Wicklow in a second round home tie later this month. Navan - E King, R Reilly, E Hanratty, S Byrne, D Brechnall, N Finley, R Ball; P Regan, C Reilly, B McCormack, C Joyce, F Hennessy, D Delahunt, S Gallagher, A O"Keefe, Subs - C Brassil for Hanratty, B Connolly for R Reilly, A Kennedy for Regan.