The Navan RFC and Dundalk RFC players who were in action at Balreask Old on Saturday.

Navan girls host Dundalk at Balreask

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The Navan RFC and Dundalk RFC players who were in action at Balreask Old on Saturday.

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The Navan RFC u-16 players and coaches who were on duty for the game against Dundalk u-16s at Balreask Old on Saturday.

Published: Wed 22 Sep 2021, 7:02 PM

Last updated: Wed 22 Sep 2021, 7:03 PM

RUGBY

Balreask Old was a hive of activity on Saturday with the girls teams at under-16 and under-18 levels from Navan RFC and Dundalk RFC getting ready for the new season with a couple of games.

The under-18 game kicked-off at noon followed by the under-16 at 1.30pm.

For the first action of the season the standard of rugby was excellent.

The home teams came away with comprehensive wins at both grades, but Dundalk proved worthy opponents and will benefit from the games when they compete in Leinster competitions as the season progresses.

Entertaining rugby and beautiful weather created a great buzz about the club and it was a real sign that some form of normality is returning following all the restrictions that had to be endured across team sports due to the Covid-19 guidelines.

Navan RFC has a vibrant girls section, starting at under-10 all the way up to under-18.

This season there are over 100 girls training and each season Navan is also well represented on regional development teams.

Dundalk is another club with over 100 girls playing rugby thanks to the hard work of Suzanne Flynn, Linda Valentine, Dermot Lennon and other volunteers working behind the scenes.

The club's commitment to the development and promotion of the girls game was such that an event to celebrate the growth of girls rugby and success on the pitch had been planned for March, however it has yet to take place.

This was the first time a rugby club had planned an event in celebration of the contribution of their ladies while also honouring the memory of those Dundalk RFC ladies who had lost the fight against breast cancer and to support those who continued the battle by hosting a fundraiser - 'No High Tackles Just High Heels' in aid of the National Breast Cancer Research Institute.

The initiative received the backing of both Leinster Rugby and the IRFU.

An added boost for girls playing at u-18 level this month was the announcement that a u-20 North East team will be selected.

Female rugby players aged between 18 and 20 have been invited to take part in trials at Balbriggan RFC this month and in early October.

The Navan u-16 girls will play a friendly away to Skerries this weekend.

The u-18 girls will be preparing for the first round of the Leinster Cup at the beginning of October.

PANELS FROM SATURDAY

Navan u-16 - Tia Keague, Emma Hyland, Katie Kearney, Sadhbh Casserly, Meah Reid, Emily Moyles, Lia MacEwan, Anna Marchant, Molly Egan, Sinead Doherty, Sarah White, Katie Clarke, Caitlin Ratty, Sarah Molloy, Chloe Brady(captain),Emily Flynn, Lillian Brady, Sophie O'Neill, Kym McGrath, Alex Connor, Faye Kellett-Forde, Emma Brogan.

Navan u-18 - Siobhan Beggy, Ava Galvin, Isabelle Brereton, Cara Martin, Roisin Watters, Leah Morris, Caragh Wallace, Louise Crinion, Sally Daly, Niamh McSherry, Allie Flynn, Tara Quinn, Niamh McManus, Sasha Guirey, Aisling Kelly, Abby Moyles, Emma Looby, Anna Hilliard, Rosie Searle, Lauren FitzPatrick (captain), Allie Cullivan, Ciara Rennie, Steffie Finegan.