19 May Navan RFC joins Green Wave for Record Six Nations Finale
Ireland Women 54 Scotland Women 5 Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Balreask Old was quiet last Sunday, as just under 200 of Navan RFC’s Women’s and Girls’ players, coaches, and families packed their bags and joined the ever-growing “Green Wave,” traveling to Lansdowne Road for a historic day of international rugby.
The occasion was Ireland’s final fixture of the Guinness Women’s Six Nations campaign against Scotland. The atmosphere inside the Aviva Stadium was electric, setting a spectacular new benchmark for the sport with a record-breaking attendance of 31,294 spectators, the largest crowd ever to watch a women’s rugby international in Ireland.
The sea of supporters was treated to a masterclass on the pitch. Ireland produced a clinical and dominant performance, running in scores from all angles to secure an emphatic 54-5 victory over the Scots. The bonus-point win was a massive milestone for the national squad, mathematically confirming a hard-fought top-half finish in the championship table.
For the traveling Navan contingent, the magic didn’t stop at the final whistle. Following the celebrations, the Irish squad completed a traditional lap of honor to thank the record crowd, spending considerable time signing autographs, chatting with young grassroots players, and posing for photographs.
The Balreask Old section was treated to a memorable “pinch-yourself” moment as several international stars made their way over to the Navan flags. Among them were:
- Erin King: The inspirational Ireland Captain took time out to speak with our youth players and pose for photos with the next generation of leaders.
- Linda Djougang: The dynamic forward took selfies with our younger players.
- Eilís Cahill: The powerful prop spent time signing jerseys and thanking the Meath faithful for making the journey.
- Sam Monaghan: The ultimate highlight for the group was a reunion with none other than Navan native Sam Monaghan. The local icon received a rapturous reception from her hometown supporters, taking the time to inspire the young girls who dream of following her pathway from Balreask Old to the international stage.
Witnessing a historic international victory, being part of a record-breaking crowd, and meeting heroes like Sam Monaghan provided the ultimate end-of-season inspiration for Navan’s thriving women’s and girls’ sections.
A massive thank you to all the coaches, parent volunteers, and committee members who coordinated the travel logistics to get nearly 200 members down to Dublin safely. It was a day where memories were made, and the love for the women’s game grew even stronger.
More Photos from a great day are available on the Clubs Instagram!