Dramatic Navan victory
When Ronan O"Gara slotted over that last-gasp drop goal for Ireland against Wales to win the Grand Slam last week the big crowd who watched the game on in the clubhouse at Balreask Old went wild with delight. It was a similar scenario at the same venue on Saturday at the end of this AIL first round play-off, only this time the Navan RFC faithful loudly cheered their own team for winning a game that looked to have slipped from their grasp. Like the Wales game this encounter was full of drama and it ended perfectly for the home side when Karl Manning slotted over a penalty in the first minute of injury-time to edge his side a point in front. Not surprisingly City of Derry, who only dropped out of the AIL at the end of last season, came looking for redemption in the few minutes that remained. They went close to snatching the win they so eagerly sought when their full back Mark O"Connor"s drop goal whistled inches wide deep into added time. The Navan players breathed in relief and they held firm for the next minute or so until the referee finally brought the contest to an end. With arms aloft the home players and supporters celebrated with great gusto. Considering their former, lofty status and the fact that they whipped up some huge scores on their way to the Ulster League title, City of Derry went into this game as favourites. After all they hadn"t lost a league game all season. Undaunted, Navan set a quick tempo from very early on that appeared to rattle the men from Ulster and it was the home side who went in at the break with a 14-11 advantage. In his programme notes Navan RFC president Philip Brady had congratulated the team for their 'character and maturity' in reaching the play-off stages. They showed plenty of both traits to win this tight, entertaining encounter that ended in a welter of excitement when City of Derry were penalised about 28 metres out and Manning calmly slotted over to send the home supporters into raptures. The game ended the same way as it had started with Navan scoring. Right from the kick-off Navan, who played against the stiff breeze in the opening half, had sought to disrupt their opponents. They got rich rewards for that approach after four minutes when a City of Derry player knocked-on inside the Navan '22." Simon Hogan picked up the ball, switched on the afterburners and set off up the field. He was pursued by a couple of opponents who were unable to reach him and the Navan winger skated in at the corner for a wonderful try. The home side were on their way. Facing into the breeze Manning was unable to convert. City of Derry responded a few minutes later with a try. The move started with a quickly taken penalty and ended with their open-side flanker Colm Mitchell going over. The conversion was also missed although just marginally. Those two tries set the tone for the rest of the game. Navan edging in front, their opponents clawing their way back. Manning once again showed his considerable talent with his kicking and contribution in open play. He kicked three excellent penalties in the opening half and added two more after the break. He always posed a threat when he won possession anywhere around midfield with his jinking runs. City of Derry proved to be a big team with their pack a formidable unit. Navan proved equal to them in the tight and the loose. Bernard Smyth and Sylvanus Iro once more made a string of huge hits. One tackle by Iro late on prevented what looked to be a certain try. Smyth received a yellow card just before the interval and his absence was keenly felt. City of Derry also had their centre David Funston sin-binned in the second-half for a high tackle on Ronan Conaty. Paul Feeney carried the ball with purpose and real determination. He did a lot of good work in the tight away from the limelight and John Duffy was excellent especially in the line-outs. The front row of Eoin King, Johnny Baker and David King refused to be dominated by their opponents and held firm. Mark Harrington and Conaty worked hard around the middle and made sure that there were precious few gaps for their opponents to exploit. Navan received a bad blow nine minutes into the second-half when, after a spell of pressure, City of Derry"s Andrew Semple rumbled over the tryline. Manning responded with a penalty and shortly afterwards the same player looked to have scored a brilliant 'try" when he showed his pace to race clear from midfield. However, referee Trevor Collins called play back for a forward pass. It was a marginal decision. With time almost up Navan conceded a penalty for offside almost in front of their own posts. City of Derry full-back O"Connor had no difficult in slotting over. It looked like Navan would lose out. Then came Manning"s final and decisive contribution. City of Derry were penalised for not staying on their feet at a ruck. The young full back made no mistake. In the dying seconds Navan survived O"Connor"s drop goal attempt and their supporters roared their approval at the final whistle. One down, two to go. Navan - K Manning, T Geraghty, R Conaty, M Harrington, S Hogan, A Hickey, K Mattson; E King, J Baker, D King, B Harris, J Duffy, P Feeney, B Smyth, S Iro. Subs - C Brady for Baker, T Clarke for Harris. City of Derry - M O"Connor, J Lewis, D Funston, G Mitchell, R Campbell, J Caitness, A Semple; D Witherow, S McAuley, S Duffy, B McKillop, P Brady, D Houston, C Mitchell, M Walker. Referee - Trevor Collins.