07 Sep Eight-Try Navan Power Past Monkstown into Senior Pennant Decider
Leinster Senior Pennant: Group 2 – Saturday 5th September
Navan 52 Monkstown 19, Balreask Old, Navan.
(Half-Time: 24-12)
Navan Scorers
Tries: Alex Carter, Sean Walsh, Ewan Groenewald, Kit Waddington, Koen Jansen 2, Shaun O’Reilly, Matthew Clinton.
Conversions: Philip Smith 3, Mark Farrell 3.
Navan RFC Men’s 1st XV booked their place in the Leinster Senior Pennant Final in style on Saturday afternoon, delivering a sensational eight-try performance to defeat Monkstown 52-19 at Balreask Old.
With both teams entering the final Group 2 fixture knowing that only a victory would seal top spot and a place in the decider against Group 1 winners Bective Rangers, the home side produced a clinical display of high-tempo attacking rugby.
Monkstown opened the scoring after five minutes when their Number Eight scored from a pick-and-go off a free-kick inside the Navan 22-metre line to make it 5-0.
Navan responded almost immediately. Two minutes later, Alex Carter finished off a sweeping passing movement up the right wing to touch down, with Philip Smyth converting to put Navan ahead 7-5.
The home side increased their tally on nine minutes. Directly from the restart, a clean break through midfield released Sean Walsh, who finished accurately in the right corner to make it 12-5.
Monkstown pressed into the Navan 22 on 12 minutes, but resolute defending forced a holding penalty. After weathering a period of territory pressure midway through the half, Navan struck again on 33 minutes through Ewan Groenewald to push the score to 17-5. Two minutes later, scrum-half Kit Waddington sniped through for Navan’s fourth try, converted by Smyth, before Monkstown added a converted try right before the interval to leave the score 24-12 at half-time.
Navan maintained their clinical edge early in the second half. Second-row Koen Jansen crashed over under the posts on 44 minutes, converted by Smyth, to extend the lead to 31-12. Center Shaun O’Reilly then sliced through on 58 minutes for a try converted by Mark Farrell.
Jansen added his second try of the afternoon on 65 minutes following another sustained attacking spell, with Farrell converting to make it 45-12. Monkstown pulled back a converted try on 70 minutes, but substitute forward Matthew Clinton capped off the afternoon on 75 minutes, driving over for Navan’s eighth try. Farrell’s third conversion brought the score to 52-19 at the final whistle.
It was an outstanding team display right across the park. Midfield duo Ben McEntagart and Shaun O’Reilly were in superb form throughout, while loosehead prop Alex McGoey anchored a dominant front-row display. Shane Walshe provided security at fullback, and young forward Jack Smith made his Senior 1st XV debut off the bench following a standout performance for the U20s against Trinity on Friday night.
Navan now advance to face Bective Rangers in the Leinster Senior Pennant Final this Saturday, 12th September 2026! Venue, kick-off time, and supporter details will be shared as soon as they are finalized by Leinster Rugby.
Navan RFC Men’s 1st XV Squad
Starting XV:
1. Alex McGoey, 2. Fionn Craik, 3. Gary Faulkner, 4. Eoghan Noonan (Capt), 5. Koen Jansen, 6. Callum Michael Breeds, 7. Euan Groenewald, 8. Alex Carter, 9. Kit Waddington, 10. Philip Smyth, 11. Mark Coen, 12. Ben McEntagart, 13. Shaun O’Reilly, 14. Sean Walsh, 15. Shane Walshe.
Replacements: 16. Michael McAteer, 17. Matthew Clinton, 18. Jack Smith, 19. Ben McCreary, 20. Ciaran O’Reilly, 21. Mark Farrell, 22. Luke Dolan, 23. Evan Whyte.