10 Mar Navan U18.5 Boys Reach North-East Plate Final
Leinster North-East Under 18.5 Boys Plate – Semi-Final
Navan 60 Ashbourne 17
Sunday 8th March 2026 | Balreask Old
Navan Scorers:
- TRIES: Cillian Murphy (2), Lorcan Craik (2), Luke Brady, David Hanratty, Conor Goodwin, Jack Shorten, Daniel Robinson, Rihan Faherty
- CONVERSIONS: Lorcan Craik (5)
Navan RFC Under 18.5 Boys produced a powerful second-half display to secure a convincing 60–17 victory over Ashbourne, booking their place in the Leinster North-East Plate Final.
The opening half was far more competitive than the final scoreline suggests. Navan started brightly, scoring three early tries through sharp attacking play and excellent support lines to build early momentum.
Ashbourne responded well and capitalised on their own periods of pressure, scoring two well-worked tries to close the gap and keep the contest firmly alive.
At the interval, Navan held a narrow 15–12 lead, with the semi-final still finely balanced.
Navan delivered a completely different level of performance in the second half. Increased physicality, decisive attacking, and dominant carries allowed the home side to take control of the match.
Myles Doyle was outstanding at No.8, consistently carrying into heavy traffic and dragging defenders with him, setting the platform for Navan’s attacking momentum.
The replacements also made a significant impact. Cormac Horan and Oshan Varney strengthened the scrum and brought fresh energy to the forward pack, helping Navan establish control up front.
Shortly after entering the game, Rihan Faherty added a superb long-range try, collecting a deep Ashbourne kick before powering through the defence in trademark straight-line fashion.
One of the standout moments of the afternoon came with the return of Jack Shorten, making his first appearance of the season following shoulder surgery.
With his very first touch, Shorten bulldozed through defenders on a 50-metre run before scoring under the posts, a moment that lifted both teammates and supporters and helped spark Navan’s dominant second-half performance.
With ten tries in total and a commanding second-half display, Navan sealed a deserved victory and progression to the final.
They will now face Balbriggan in the Leinster North-East Plate Final, with date and venue to be confirmed.
Navan RFC Under 18.5 Boys Squad:
James Martin, Daniel Robinson, Antonio Rattigan, Killian Mc Aniff, David Hanratty, Tadhg Browne, Conor Goodwin (Capt), Myles Doyle, Cillian Murphy, Eoin Burke, Aidan Lynch, Lorcan Craik, Dylan McGuinness, Sean Curtis, Luke Brady, Josh Collins, Oshan Varney, Rhian Faherty, Jack shorten, David Farrelly, Carrig Traynor Hoey, Aaron Looby, Cormac Horan.