28 Sep Men’s 1st XV Suffer Away Defeat to Skerries
Energia All-Ireland League Men’s Division 2B North – Round 1 (Saturday 26th September)
Skerries 44 Navan 22, Holmpatrick, Skerries.
(Half-Time: 18-5)
Scorers Skerries:
Tries: Rob McKey (10′, 68′), Michael Sherlock (24′), Kieran Leonard (40+1′), Kevin McGrath (41′), Hugo Lennox (52′, 80′).
Conversions: Jack Litchfield (41′, 53′, 68′).
Penalties: Jack Litchfield (39′).
Scorers Navan:
Tries: Gary Faulkner (23′), Kit Waddington (46′), Shaun O’Reilly (59′), Ben McEntagart (74′).
Conversions: Mark Farrell (60′).
Navan RFC Men’s 1st XV launched their Energia All-Ireland League Division 2B North campaign on Saturday, 26th September, falling to a 44-22 defeat against North-East rivals Skerries RFC at Holmpatrick.
Despite the deficit, Dan Van Zyl’s side showed plenty of attacking intent and resilience to secure a valuable four-try offensive bonus point on the road.
Skerries struck first in the 10th minute through winger Rob McKey, but Navan quickly found their rhythm, holding possession and pressing deep into the home side’s territory.
On 20 minutes, after being held up in the in-goal area, Navan earned a penalty advantage and kicked to the corner. From the resulting 5-metre lineout, the pack set up a relentless catch-and-drive, with vice-captain Gary Faulkner touching down for Navan’s opening score. However, Skerries struck right back off the restart to restore their cushion and added a penalty and a late first-half try to lead 18-5 at the interval.
Skerries extended their advantage immediately after the break, but Navan fought back on 46 minutes when scrum-half Kit Waddington sniped up the left-hand touchline to cross for a sharp solo try.
The introduction of Ireland Sevens Olympian; Hugo Lennox off the bench injected fresh pace for the hosts, yielding two tries for Skerries. Navan refused to back down, trading scores in an entertaining final quarter. Center Shaun O’Reilly rounded off a fine team move on 59 minutes, converted by Mark Farrell, before Captain Ben McEntagart powered over on 74 minutes to secure the four-try bonus point. McKey and Lennox added late scores for the hosts to bring the match to a close.
While handling accuracy at key moments proved costly, Navan created numerous scoring opportunities and will take heart from their four-try return away from home.
The squad now regroups for their first home match of the AIL season, welcoming Ulster side Clogher Valley RFC to Balreask Old for Round 2 next Saturday!
Skerries: Ronan Mulcahy; David Goodman, Kevin McGrath, Michael Sherlock, Rob McKey; Jack Litchfield, Paul O’Loghlen; Kieran Leonard, James Brennan, To’e Lokeni; Rossa Gilbride, Sam Deering; Taidgh Keane-Boylan, Mike Branagan, Peter O’Neill.
Replacements: Hugo Lennox (43′ for David Goodman), Ben McKiernan (55′ for To’e Lokeni), Cal Marrey (56′ for Taidgh Keane-Boylan), Dara Twomey (62′ for Paul O’Loghlen), Paul O’Loghlen (71′ for Jack Litchfield).
Navan: Shane Walshe; Greg Edogun, Shaun O’Reilly, Ben McEntagart (capt), Luke Bryan; Philip Smyth, Kit Waddington; Alex McGoey, Fionn Craik, Gary Faulkner; Eoghan Noonan, Koen Jansen; Callum Breeds, Ewan Groenewald, Niall Hurley.
Replacements: Shane O’Connor (45′ for Alex McGoey), Mark Farrell (45′ for Philip Smyth), Alex Carter (51′ for Callum Breeds), Jack Smith (65′ for Niall Hurley), Jack Smith (67′ for Shane O’Connor), Michael McAteer (69′ for Gary Faulkner).