Navan boys claim Premier crown - and sustain remarkable run

Team now two full seasons without a competitive defeat

Navan... 32

Naas... 13

Simon Clarke

Navan u-16s retained their title as Leinster Premier League Champions in Longford on Saturday with an impressive win against Naas.

For what seemed like the first time this season, the sun was shining and conditions in Longford were perfect for flowing rugby.

Navan were fast out of the blocks and put Naas under pressure inside their 22 with some big carries from Myles Doyle and Rhian Faherty before Navan Captain Conor Goodwin crossed the line for Navan's 1st Try. Lorcan Craik added the extras for Navan to go 7 - 0 up after 5 mins.

Navan continued to press and were awarded a penalty which again Craik converted to put Navan 10 - 0 ahead at half time.

Early in the second-half Naas scored a penalty with a fine kick by Matthew Costello before Navan extended their lead with a fine try from pacey winger Conall Sheridan which was converted by Craik to leave the score 17 - 3 to Navan.

Naas scored another penalty to make it 17 - 6 before Navan Captain Conor Goodwin crashed over the line from a tap and go penalty to make it 22- 6 to Navan.

Naas scored a try of their own to close the gap to 9 points before Navan prop Matthew Kiernan scored the try of the match after Daniel Hevernan stole a Naas lineout to offload to Kiernan who turned on the afterburners before crossing the line for a fine try. 27 - 13 with 8 mins to go.

Last act for Navan was another try for Conall Sheridan to make it 32 - 13 and the win was secured for Navan.

There was great support for Navan down in Longford and the squad would like to thank everyone who travelled down to support them. The Navan support was led by President Damien Dixon and incoming President Scott Ennis.

This win was a huge achievement for this group who have now gone two full seasons without losing a competitive game, they have worked tirelessly in training and are always looking to improve, one more game to go as they will now face Mullingar in the Leinster Cup final in two weeks time. The future is bright.

Navan u-16 boys squad:

Oshan Varney, Daniel Robinson, Matthew Kieran, Myles Doyle, Jack McGettigan, Rhian Faherty, Conor Goodwin, Jack Giles, Jack Clarke, Lorcan Craik, Aidan Lynch, Cormac Fagan, Jay Gavigan, Daniel Heverin, Luke Brady, Antonio Rattigan, Conall Sheridan, Eamon Berwick, Sean Curtis, Aaron Roche, Joe O'Neill, Frederick James Woods, Dylan McGuinness.