Trip to Limerick yields rich reward for Navan
Hard graft and some controlled, measured rugby helped Navan chalk up a 21-17 victory over UL Bohs in the AIL Div 2A at Limerick today.
The win helps to maintain Navan in third place just three points behind second-place Cashel, 13 behind leaders Highfield and eight ahead of fourth-placed Queens.
Today's victory was achieved with the help of three tries, two of them scored by Eoin King and Conor Farrell with the Balreask Old side also awarded a penalty try.
"We could have won by more but any day you go down to Limerick and return home with a victory has to be considered a good day, we worked really hard for the win," said Navan coach Ray Moloney.
The visitors showed few ill effects from the trip down to the south west making a early impact on the game with Eoin King rumbling over for an try after excellent work by the forwards. Brian Haugh converted.
UL Bohs showed their threat by working a try of their own which was not converted but Navan moved the ball through the phases to exert sustained pressure and were rewarded with a penalty try.
The home team stayed in contention with a well-worked, converted try and it showed that they had to be carefully watched but at the interval Navan led 14-12.
In the second-half the game ebbed and flowed and Navan got a third touchdown that was to prove crucial with this time Conor Farrell breaking through. Haugh converted and it was looking good for Navan at that stage.
In the closing stages UL Bohs exerted considerable pressure and they finally broke through the Navan battlements for an unconverted try.
Navan went close to scoring a fourth try in that second half but it was to prove elusive. The victory keeps them on course for that top-four finish. Next up for Maloney's Men is a home game against Old Crescent on Saturday next.
Navan - Paddy Fox, Sean McEntagart, Evan Dixon, Riaan Van Der Vyver, Ben McEntagart, Colm O'Reilly, Brian Haugh; Eoin King, Shane Faulkner, Leigh Jackson, Darragh Magee, Ronan Scott, Conor Ryan, Conor Farrell, Bryan McKeever. Subs - David Clarke, Bryan McGovern, Ronan Meegan, Willie Staunton, Ray Moloney.