Navan prove victorious despite a slow start

AIL DIV 2A

Navan 20 Greystones 17

In a highly anticipated AIL Div 2A clash Navan got back to winning ways when they defeated Greystones at Balreask Old on Saturday. Navan entered the game determined to break a three-match losing streak and realign their season's trajectory.

Not that the Meath side made a bright start. Greystones broke through for an early converted try and also landed three points from a penalty to go 10-0 in front.

Then in the 21st minute a pivotal moment occurred as Greystones' number eight received a yellow card. Navan capitalized on the numerical advantage, executing a successful catch and drive, leading to a try scored by Harry Hester to the left of the posts. Rory Gordon converted, narrowing the gap to 7-10.

On 32 minutes Greystones missed a penalty attempt, causing confusion in the Navan in-goal area. Despite a goal-line dropout, Greystones maintained territorial advantage putting pressure on the home team. However just before halftime, Navan leveled the score with a penalty kick by Rory Gordon. The teams went in for the break at 10-10.

The second half proved to be as thrilling as the first. Three minutes after the break Greystones regained the lead with a try to the left of the posts, and the conversion was successful to regain the lead 10-17.

Navan responded with sustained pressure, resulting in a try by winger Peter McEntaggart on 59 minutes. Rory Gordon's successful conversion kick from near the touchline leveled the game at 17-17.

Then on 66 minutes Greystones were penalized for offside within kickable range of the posts, and Rory Gordon's successful penalty kick gave Navan the lead for the first time in the game to lead 20-17 and that's how it stood at the final whistle. Eoghan Noonan was named as 'The Central Player of the Match.'

The victory propels Navan to sixth place in the league table as they head into the second rest weekend. The next challenge awaits with a tough away fixture against second-placed Cashel on Saturda, 2nd December, followed by a home game against UL Bohemian's on Saturday 9th December, marking the last fixture of the calendar year at Balreask Old.

Navan squad - Liam Carroll, Gary Faulkner, Leigh Jackson, Jordan Finney, Eoghan Noonan, Robbie Lailvaux, Ben McEntaggart, Harry Hester, Jake Matthews, Evan Dixon, Peter McEntaggart, Kyle Dixon, Sean McEntaggart, Paddy Fox, Rory Gordon, David Clarke, Liam McAree, Conor Ryan, Harry Beggy, Mark Farrell.

METRO LEAGUE

Despite a battling display Navan lost out 5-35 to Greystones in this Leinster Metro League encounter at Balreask Old on Saturday. At the break the visitors led 5-16.

Navan - Craig Byrne, Dara McHugh, Ian Carolan, Ciarán Reilly, Andrew Kiernan, David Brady, Harry Conlon, Andrew Beggy, Jack Dixon, Cillian Farrell, Sean Walsh, Michael Brady, Harry Devlin, Cormac Horan, Brian Byrne, David Clarke, Harry Beggy, Liam McAree.

LEINSTER LEAGUE

The 38-5 scoreline made for encouraging reading for Navan as they defeated St Mary's College/Guinness at the Iveagh Grounds on Sunday. The game was reclassified as a friendly after the home side conceded the league fixture. Ciara Delahunt, Paula Keating, Ger Lynch, Leah Morris, Sarah O'Brien, Meabh Sexton, Tara Quinn, Anna Mennis and Mary-Lou Bridgeman featured prominently for the winners. Overall it was a brilliant run out for Navan in preparation for their next home game against Swords on 26th November. That same day Navan RFC will host a "Pre-Match Brunch" for just €20 per person ahead of the Women's first and second teams games against Greystones and Swords in the Leinster Women's Div 3 and Div 5 respectively.

Navan - Louise Elliott, Tara Quinn, Racheal Browne, Sarah O'Brien, Meabh Sexton, Martina O’Neill, Mairead Carty, Aoife Ryan, Paula Keating, Ciara Quinn, Aoife Hughes, Geraldine Lynch, Leah Morris, Jessica Moriarty, Alanna Caffrey, Anna Mennis, Mary-Louise Bridgeman, Niamh McManus, Lyubov Healy, Anna McGarry, Rhiannon Hoey.

JENKINSON CUP

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There was little joy for Navan as they lost out to Balbriggan in the Leinster North-East Jenkinson Cup on Friday.

Navan - Ronan McIlwaine, John Baker, Eoghan Curtis, Gareth Ward, Philip Kane, Kallum Boles, Stuart Byrne, Thomas P Clarke, Ronan Walsh, Thomas Geraghty, Alex Meehan, Stephen Dixon, Brian Cooney, Shane Devlin, Marius Roestoff, Paul Maginn, Piotr Jankowski, Simon Hogan, Paul Caffrey.