Balreask Old side defy the odds to win

A week after a potentially morale-crushing 62-0 loss away to Shannon, Navan conjured up a display full of heart and determination to defeat City of Armagh 18-11 in the AIL Div 1B at Balreask Old today.

What a display this was from Ray Moloney's side who played against a strong wind for the second-half. They also played most of that second-half a man short after Hardus Van Eeden was sent-off on 52 minutes.

As expected Navan were under severe pressure for much of that second-half but they held firm.

The teams went into the interval with score standing at 18-8 to wind assisted Navan with Rory Gordon and Sean McEntagart running in for two superb tries. Colm O'Reilly converted one of them and added two well-executed penalties.

City of Armagh out-half Harry Boyd fired over two penalties while his side also worked a fine try but they were unable to find a way for a converted try they needed after the break, thwarted all the way by Navan's heroic defending.

This was a super team display by Navan and vital points in their quest to move away from the relegation mire.

Navan - Ben Daly, Rory Gordon, Sean McEntagart, Evan Dixon, Ben McEntagart, Colm O'Reilly, Keith Kavanagh; Niall Farrelly, Jack Nelson, Liam Carroll, Eoghan Noonan, Conor Hand, Conor Ryan, Hardus Van Eeden. Replacements - Gary Faulkkner, Leigh Jackson, Ronan Meegan, Riaan Van Der Vyver, Paddy Fox, Mark Farrell, David Clarke.

PHOTOTGRAPHS FROM GAME, ANALYSIS AND MATCH REPORT IN NEXT ISSUE OF THE MEATH CHRONICLE