Navan RFC’s Connor in Celtic Challenge Debut

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26 Jan Navan RFC’s Connor in Celtic Challenge Debut

Posted at 18:20h in News by

Navan RFC Women’s player Alex Connor marked another major milestone in her rugby career on Sunday afternoon, coming off the bench to make her Wolfhounds debut in their 52–26 Celtic Challenge Round 5 victory over Scottish side Glasgow Warriors at Virgin Media Park, Cork.

The appearance represents the latest step in a journey that began in the Navan RFC youth system and has continued to gather momentum year on year. Alex enjoyed a standout 2025 season, after previously captaining Leinster Under 18 Women, representing the North-East Area, and earning selection in extended Ireland U18 Women’s training squads. Her performances were further recognised when she was named Under 18 Girls Players’ Player of the Year at Navan RFC’s end-of-season awards last May.

During last summer, Alex was included in the Leinster Rugby Senior Women’s extended 65-player training squad ahead of the Vodafone Women’s Interprovincial Championship. While she narrowly missed out on final selection, she continued her development through involvement with the IRFU Women’s National Talent Squad programme.

This season, Alex has firmly established herself as a key figure in the Navan RFC Women’s 1st XV, consistently delivering strong performances in Leinster Women’s League Division 1, where her skill set, leadership qualities and work rate have stood out week after week.

Sunday’s Wolfhounds fixture also featured further Navan RFC connections, with former youth players Kate Jordan, Jade Gaffney and Abby Moyles all named in the starting XV, a strong reflection of the club’s player pathway.

Alex’s selection ensured double Navan RFC representation in the Celtic Challenge double-header in Cork. Earlier in the day, Rosie Searle, following her recent Senior Ireland training squad call-up, made her fifth consecutive start at flanker for the Clovers in their 29–12 win over Welsh side Brython Thunder.

Everyone at Navan RFC extends sincere congratulations to Alex Connor on her Wolfhounds debut and to Rosie Searle on her continued success, and we look forward to following both players as they continue to perform and progress at the highest level of the game.

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