26 Aug Navan Overcome Ashbourne in McGowan Cup Derby
Leinster North-East McGowan Cup (J1) – Round 3 (Tuesday 25th August)
Navan 38 Ashbourne 23
Balreask Old, Navan.
(Half-Time: 24-6)
Navan Scorers
Tries: Kit Waddington, Fionn Craik, Gary Faulkner, Koen Jansen, Philip Smyth, Sean Walsh.
Conversions: Mark Farrell (4)
Navan RFC’s Men’s 1st XV secured their first victory of the 2026/27 season on Tuesday evening, putting on a clinical six-try display in a 38-23 win over County Meath rivals Ashbourne RFC at Balreask Old.
Despite the drizzling rain, a dedicated crowd gathered on the clubhouse terrace to roar the team on as Navan produced a blistering 20-minute spell in the first half to put the contest out of reach.
Navan pre-match warm-up
Ashbourne opened the scoring early with a 5th-minute penalty, but Navan responded instantly two minutes later with their opening try of the evening.
The home side took complete control of the first half from there, running in three more tries in a rampant 14-minute window. Out-half Mark Farrell added two conversions during the spell to push Navan into a commanding 24-3 lead by the 25-minute mark. Ashbourne slotted a late penalty before the break to leave the half-time score at 24-6.
Half-Time at Balreask Old
The second half proved a far tighter affair as Ashbourne rallied with renewed determination, while Navan utilised their bench to give valuable first-team exposure across the squad. Both sides traded two tries apiece in the second period, while Farrell from the kicking-tee contributed with two more second-half conversions.
Although Ashbourne kept pressing, Navan comfortably managed the game to hold their two-score cushion and seal a deserved 15-point victory.
There were top-class individual displays right across the park, with Gary Faulkner, Kit Waddington, and Eoghan Noonan putting in standout performances to anchor the Navan victory.
Navan’s Men’s 1st XV now face into a big week of home fixtures ahead at Balreask Old:
- Leinster North-East McGowan Cup – Round 4: vs. Dundalk RFC — Tuesday, 1st September (KO: 8 PM)
- Leinster Senior Pennant (Group 2): vs. Monkstown FC — Saturday, 5th September (KO: 3 PM)
Navan RFC Men’s 1st XV Matchday Squad:
Gary Faulkner, Fionn Craik, Andrew Keating, Eoghan Noonan, Koen Jansen, James Duffy, Evan James, Donagh McCarrick, Kit Waddington, Mark Farrell, Sean Walsh, Philip Smyth, Euan Groenewald, Luke Dolan, Shane Walshe, Matthew Clinton, Cormac Horan, Callum Michael Breeds, Niall Hurley, Alex Carter, Evan Whyte.
A massive thank you to all the supporters who braved the weather on the terrace, we look forward to seeing you all back at Balreask Old next week!