02 Mar Navan Return to Winning Ways with Victory Over Buccaneers
Energia All-Ireland League Men’s Division 2B – Round 14
Navan 38 Buccaneers 10
Saturday 28th February | Balreask Old
Scorers Navan:
Tries: Mark Coen (5′), Gary Faulkner (21′), Jeaic Timmons (31′), Shane Walshe (35′), Will Finegan (47′), Harry Hester (69′).
Conversions: Tom Gavigan (6′, 22′, 32′, 35′).
Scorers Buccaneers:
Tries: Sean Glennon (26′), Samuel Meecham (80′).
(Half-Time: Navan 28 Buccaneers 5)
Navan RFC Men’s 1st XV produced one of their most complete performances of the season on Saturday, returning to winning ways with a comprehensive 38–10 victory over Buccaneers at Balreask Old in Round 14 of the Energia All-Ireland League Division 2B.
Four first-half tries laid the platform for an impressive home win, with Navan combining clinical finishing and strong set-piece work to take firm control of the contest.
Navan struck early through Mark Coen, setting the tempo from the outset. Further first-half tries from Gary Faulkner, Jeaic Timmons and Shane Walshe saw the home side surge into a commanding 28–5 half-time lead.
Out-half Jeaic Timmons, making only his second All-Ireland League start in the position, delivered a composed and assured performance. His distribution brought width and tempo to the Navan backline, while his carries added further attacking threat. Timmons was deservedly named Navan RFC Player of the Match (sponsored by The Central Navan).
Tom Gavigan was flawless from the tee in the opening half, converting four tries to maintain scoreboard pressure.
Navan continued their momentum after the interval. Will Finegan extended the advantage before replacement Harry Hester crossed to cap a six-try display.
Buccaneers registered tries through Sean Glennon and Samuel Meecham, but Navan’s defensive structure and work rate ensured the visitors were kept at arm’s length throughout.
(Thomas Kearns)
Saturday also marked a Men’s 1st XV debut for Thomas Kearns, whose contribution in the scrum proved valuable when Buccaneers attempted to apply forward pressure.
The victory, coupled with results elsewhere, sees Navan move up to eighth place in Division 2B, edging ahead of Skerries on points difference. The two North-East rivals now meet next Saturday at Holmpatrick in what promises to be a significant encounter in the standings.
“The Central Navan” Navan RFC Player of the Match: Jeaic Timmons
(Jeaic Timmons with Conor Farrell)
Navan RFC Men’s 1st XV “Sponsored by Hannon Travel”: Shane Walshe, Will Finegan, Ben Mc Entagart, Tom Gavigan, Mark Coen, Jeaic Timmons, Kit Waddington, Shane O’Connor, Fionn Craik, Gary Faulkner, Ben McCreary, Karolis Navickas, Michael Brady, Conor Farrell (capt), Harry Hester.
Replacements: Eoin King, Thomas Kearns, Saul Nicholson, Declan O’Connor, Mark Farrell.
Buccaneers: David Colgan, Rourke O’Sullivan, Thomas Cotton, Corey Reid (capt), Orrin Burgess, Gearoid McDonald, Abel Bouwens, Adam Cooper, Sean Glennon, Charlie Byrne, Samuel Meecham, Conor Sheehan, Dan Donovan, Paddy Egan, Luke Balsiger.
Replacements: Oisin Dolan, Ryan O’Meara, James Kelly, Tom Shine, Ross Murphy Sweeney.