02 Feb Navan Show Grit in Defeat to Play-Off Contenders
Energia All-Ireland League Men’s Division 2B – Round 12
Navan 14 Clogher Valley 24
Saturday 31st January | Balreask Old, Navan.
(HT: Navan 7 Clogher Valley 19)
Scorers:
Navan: Tries: Tom Gavigan, Conor Farrell; Cons: Tom Gavigan 2
Clogher Valley: Tries: Callum Smyton, Philip Wilson, Penalty try, Matthew Bothwell; Cons: David Maxwell, Pen try con
Navan Men’s 1st XV were unable to bounce back from last week’s defeat as they went down 14–24 to second-placed Clogher Valley at Balreask Old in Round 12 of the Energia All-Ireland League Men’s Division 2B.
Knowing the challenge that lay ahead against one of the league’s strongest packs, Navan were immediately put under pressure as the visitors dominated early possession. Clogher Valley came close to opening the scoring after just four minutes following a catch-and-drive from a line-out, but strong Navan defence managed to hold the ball up over the line.
The visitors did not have to wait long to make the breakthrough, however, with number eight Callum Smyton finding a gap close to the posts to score the opening try, converted by out-half David Maxwell.
Navan responded positively when they enjoyed their first sustained period of possession. Good phase play moved the ball deep into Clogher Valley territory, and from close range Tom Gavigan carried strongly to touch down to the left of the posts. Gavigan converted his own try to level the scores.
Both sides then traded attacks, with Navan once again being held up over the line following another promising passage of play. The turning point came on the 20-minute mark when a Clogher Valley break down the left wing resulted in a contentious decision. Despite the ball appearing to be deflected dead, Navan out-half Gavigan was adjudged to have committed an infringement as the last defender, resulting in a penalty try and a sin-bin for the Navan playmaker.
The numerical advantage swung momentum firmly in Clogher Valley’s favour, and five minutes later wing Philip Wilson finished off a sweeping backline move in the right corner to send the visitors into the break with a 19–7 lead.
The second half was a far tighter affair, with both defences largely on top and opportunities at a premium. Clogher Valley secured their bonus point when scrum-half Matthew Bothwell sniped over for an opportunistic try.
Navan continued to battle and were rewarded late on when captain Conor Farrell crossed for the home side’s second try of the afternoon. However, despite a determined effort to the final whistle, Navan were unable to close the gap and the visitors saw out the contest.
Our “The Central Navan” Player of the Match was Fionn Craik who stood out in the battle of the front-rows and in general play.
While the result was disappointing, Navan will take valuable learnings from the performance as they look to finish this block of fixtures strongly. Attention now turns to Saturday’s away trip to fifth-placed Rainey.
NAVAN Men’s 1st XV “Sponsored by Hannon Travel“: Shane Walshe; Cormac Horan, Will Finegan, Ben McEntagart, Mark Coen; Tom Gavigan, Kit Waddington; Liam Carroll, Fionn Craik, Gary Faulkner, Oisin Heffernan, Karolis Navickas, Andrew Beggy, Conor Farrell (capt), Michael Brady.
Replacements: Shane O’Connor, Ben McCreary, Harry Hester, Luke Dolan, Mark Farrell.
CLOGHER VALLEY: Taine Haire; Philip Wilson, Jason Bothwell, Michael Bothwell, Jake Woods; David Maxwell, Matthew Bothwell; Michael Treanor, Luke Allen, Neil Henderson, Eugene McKenna (capt), Tommi Coulter, David Stinson, Aaron Dunwoody, Callum Smyton.
Replacements: Kyle Cobane, Aaron Crawford, Ryan Stewart, Matthew Wilson, Karl Bothwell.