21 May Navan RFC Trio Honoured on the Pitch at Aviva Stadium
Sunday 17th May | Aviva Stadium
The landmark afternoon at Lansdowne Road didn’t just feature a historic victory on the pitch and a record-shattering crowd in the stands, it also provided a moment of immense pride for the Navan RFC family during the halftime interval.
As Ireland’s senior women were in the dressing room at half-time during their emphatic 54-5 win over Scotland, the focus shifted to celebrating the bright future of Irish rugby. Both the Ireland Women’s Under 21 and Under 18 squads were formally presented to the 31,294-strong crowd at the Aviva Stadium in recognition of their sensational recent international campaigns.
Standing tall among the elite young talent walking the turf were three individuals representing the very best of Balreask Old.
The Ireland Under-18 Women’s squad (sponsored by PwC) received a roaring reception following their spectacular exploits at the U-18 Women’s Six Nations Festival at Wellington College in England. The young Irish side took the festival by storm, recording magnificent victories over powerhouse nations England, Scotland, and Italy.
Crucial to that success was the leadership behind the team. Navan RFC Women’s 1st XV Player/Assistant Coach Michelle Claffey brought her invaluable experience as a former Senior Ireland International to the coaching ticket. Serving as the national team’s Assistant Coach, Michelle’s elite tactical mind and mentorship helped guide the squad through an unbeaten international festival, cementing her status as one of the country’s finest emerging coaches.
Following the pattern of the U20 Women’s Summer Series from recent years, the tournament evolved into the inaugural U21 Women’s Six Nations Series. The step up in age grade did nothing to slow Ireland’s momentum, as the U21s matched the U18s by executing a flawless “clean sweep” of victories.
Ireland dominated their home-and-away fixtures, powering past Italy, England, and Wales.
Crucial to that historic championship run were two of Navan’s standout senior stars: Alex Connor and Rosie Searle. Both players have been instrumental in the rise of the women’s game at Balreask Old, and seeing them represent their country at the U21 level is a testament to the club’s thriving player pathway structures.
The ultimate highlight of the afternoon arrived when all three Navan women joined their respective national squads for a formal lap of honor. Walking the hallowed Aviva Stadium turf, Michelle, Alex, and Rosie took in a thunderous standing ovation from the record-breaking crowd.
To be recognized on the international stage in front of over 31,000 fans is a phenomenal achievement. It sends an inspiring message to every young girl togging out in the Minis and Youth sections at Navan RFC: with hard work and dedication, the pathway from Balreask Old to the Aviva Stadium is wide open.
Huge congratulations to Michelle, Alex and Rosie on an unforgettable day!