12 Jan Astley Drop Goal Seals Dramatic AIL Win for Navan
Energia All-Ireland League Men’s Division 2B – Round Ten (Sat 10th Jan)
Navan 30 Sligo 29, Balreask Old, Navan
Scorers Navan:
Tries: Will Finegan (23′), Ben McEntagart (31′), Gary Faulkner (42′, 47′).
Conversions: Harrison Astley (42′), Tom Gavigan (47′).
Penalties: Mark Farrell (65′).
Drop Goals: Harrison Astley (80+2′).
Scorers Sligo:
Tries: Evin Ballantine (11′), Will Whelan (17′), Kuba Wojtkowicz (29′), James O’Hehir (63′).
Conversions: Euan Brown (11′, 18′, 64′).
Penalties: Euan Brown (75′).
(HT: Navan 10 Sligo 19)
Navan RFC produced a moment of pure drama at Balreask Old on Saturday afternoon as a last-kick drop goal from outhalf Harrison Astley secured a thrilling 30–29 victory over Sligo in Round Ten of the Energia All-Ireland League Division 2B.
With the second half of the league campaign underway and vital points at stake, Navan delivered a determined and resilient performance in front of their home support to record a morale-boosting win and move off the foot of the table.
Navan began brightly, showing intent in the opening exchanges, but it was Sligo who struck first. Tries from Evin Ballantine and Will Whelan, both converted by Euan Brown, handed the visitors a 14–0 lead. Navan responded through Will Finegan, who finished well on the wing, but Sligo extended their advantage when Kuba Wojtkowicz powered over from close range.
Just before the break, Navan were handed a lifeline when Ben McEntagart capitalised on a defensive error to score, leaving the hosts trailing 19–10 at half-time.
Navan emerged from the interval with renewed purpose, and their forwards took control. Gary Faulkner crossed twice in quick succession, with conversions from Harrison Astley and Tom Gavigan, pushing Navan into the lead for the first time in the contest.
The game swung again when Navan were reduced to fourteen men following a sin-bin for Gavigan. Sligo took advantage, with James O’Hehir touching down for a converted try to regain the lead. Navan responded immediately, substitute scrum-half Mark Farrell coolly slotting a penalty to edge the hosts back in front.
With five minutes remaining, Sligo looked to have sealed the contest when Brown landed a penalty to make it 29–27. However, Navan refused to surrender. From a lineout on halfway as the clock struck eighty minutes, the forwards retained possession through a series of pick-and-go phases before Astley stepped into the pocket and struck a magnificent 40-metre drop goal to snatch victory.
The result, coupled with results elsewhere, lifts Navan into ninth place in the Division 2B table. Next up is a challenging trip west to face unbeaten league leaders Galwegians at Crowley Park.
The match also underlined Navan’s strong youth pathway, with Fionn Craik, Ben McCreary, and Saul Harris all featuring from the club’s current Men’s Under-20 squad. Craik started at hooker in his tenth consecutive AIL appearance, while McCreary and Harris made valuable impacts from the bench.
Navan Player of the Match, sponsored by The Central, was Gary Faulkner for his powerful second-half contribution.
Navan Player of the Match “Sponsored by The Central”: Gary Faulkner
NAVAN RFC Men’s 1st XV Squad “Sponsored by Hannon Travel“: Will Finegan, Mark Coen, Ben Mc Entagart, Tom Gavigan, Shane Walshe, Harrison Astley, Kit Waddington, Liam Carroll, Fionn Craik, Gary Faulkner, Saul Nicholson, Karolis Navickas, Andrew Beggy, Oisin Heffernan, Conor Farrell (capt).
Replacements: Shane O’Connor, Ben McCreary, Saul Harris, Mark Farrell, Cormac Horan.
Sligo: Cameron Griffith, Conor Creavan, Mark McGlynn, Euan Brown, Will Whelan, Cillian O’Neill, Andrew Ward, Oisin Lawley, Matthew Earley (capt), Kuba Wojtkowicz, Ciaran Cummins, Evin Ballantine, Eoin Ryan, James O’Hehir, Ciaran Cassidy.
Replacements: Luke Timms, Max O’Hehir, Shane O’Hehir, Will MacAuley, Aorelian Durkan.