09 Feb Rainey V Navan: Energia AIL Round 13
RAINEY 24 NAVAN 19, Hatrick Park, Magherafelt | Saturday 7th February
Scorers: Rainey: Tries: Ronan McCusker, Michael McCusker, Jody McMurray 2; Cons: Scott McLean 2
Navan: Tries: Shane Walshe, Karolis Navickas, Declan O’Connor; Cons: Tom Gavigan 2
(Half-Time: Rainey 12 Navan 12)
Navan Men’s 1st XV travelled north on Saturday to face play-off contenders Rainey in Round 13 of the Energia All-Ireland League Division 2B and came away with a hard-fought losing bonus point after an evenly contested encounter.
Head Coach Ryan “Robbo” Roberts named a side featuring a number of changes, including a first senior start at out-half for Jaeic Timmons, who delivered a composed and assured performance. There was also a senior debut for Declan O’Connor, introduced from the bench, and the young forward marked the occasion in style with a try.
Continuing the club’s development pathway, Thomas Kearns and Philip Smyth travelled with the squad as injury reserves, maintaining the initiative of including players from the Men’s U20s squad on away matchdays to support their progression within the senior environment.
It was also a special milestone day for Gavin Yore, who marked his 100th matchday with the Navan RFC Senior Men’s 1st XV in his role as team physio, a fantastic achievement and a testament to his long-standing commitment and dedication to the group.
Both sides were evenly matched in the opening half. Rainey struck first with an early unconverted try, but Navan responded well and grew into the contest. The sides exchanged further scores, each registering a converted try, leaving the game finely balanced at 12–12 at the break.
Rainey seized the initiative early in the second half, crossing for two tries, one converted, to establish a lead that ultimately proved decisive. Navan showed great resilience and refused to go away, and the visitors were rewarded when Declan O’Connor crossed for a try on his senior debut, ensuring Navan claimed a valuable losing bonus point at full-time.
Navan now head into a short break before returning to Balreask Old at the end of February to host Buccaneers.
“The Central Navan” Navan RFC Player of the Match: Shane Walshe.
RAINEY: Ross McLaughlin; Andrew Donaghy, Killene Thornton, Jim McCartney, Andrew Brown; Scott McLean, Lorcan Quinn; Andrew Nevin, Daniel O’Neill, Calum Smyth, Ronan McCusker, Tom Hutchinson, Adam Montgomery, Michael McCusker (capt), Jody McMurray.
Replacements: Eoin McGuckin, Thomas McNicholl, Kieran Donaghy, Ewan Bolton, Tom Crozier.
NAVAN: Shane Walshe; Will Finegan, Ben McEntagart, Tom Gavigan, Cormac Horan; Jeaic Timmons, Kit Waddington; Liam Carroll, Fionn Craik, Gary Faulkner, Ben McCreary, Karolis Navickas, Michael Brady, Conor Farrell (capt), Harry Hester.
Replacements: Shane O’Connor, Saul Harris, Johnny McKeown, Declan O’Connor, Mark Farrell.