06 Sep U16 Girls Triumph in Hard-Fought Ashbourne Encounter
North-East Under 16 Girls League – Saturday 5th 2026
Ashbourne-Balbriggan 20 Navan 26, Milltown, Ashbourne.
(Half-Time: 5-19)
Navan RFC’s Under-16 Girls kicked off their North-East League campaign on a high note on Saturday (5th September) securing a thrilling 26-20 away victory against a combined Ashbourne-Balbriggan side.
In a high-intensity battle at Ashbourne RFC, Navan displayed clinical finishing in the first half and resolute teamwork late on to hold off a determined second-half fightback from the hosts.
The home side began brightly, but Navan broke the deadlock in the 13th minute in sensational style when Captain Lucy McGrane gathered the ball deep and sprinted nearly the entire length of the pitch at top speed to touch down.
Eight minutes later, Grace Shortt powered over for Navan’s second try, with Eve Graham slotting the conversion to swing momentum firmly in the visitors’ favour. Despite Ashbourne-Balbriggan fighting back in the 27th minute and Navan temporarily being reduced to 14 players, the girls responded brilliantly on the stroke of half-time. Abigail Kerin showed great skill to cross for a try, converted again by Graham, to send Navan into the break with a 19-5 lead.
The hosts came out strong in the second period, cutting the gap with a try 12 minutes after the restart. Navan restored their cushion 13 minutes later when they were awarded a penalty try following a high tackle on the line.
Ashbourne-Balbriggan set up a tense finish with two consecutive tries in the final ten minutes, but Navan showed incredible composure to close out the game. Chloe Goodwin, making her debut being lifted in the lineout, dominated the air alongside the jumping unit to secure crucial late possession and seal a deserved six-point win.
It was a magnificent team performance, with standout displays on the day from Abigail Kerin, Ella Vasselin, Aoibhe Cheevers, Aoibheann Fletcher, and Captain Lucy McGrane. Special mention also goes to Chloe Goodwin for a stellar performance in the set-piece on her lifting debut!
Navan RFC Under-16 Girls Matchday Squad
Starting XV:
1. Megan McGrane, 2. Chloe Olwill, 3. Eve Graham, 4. Faye Lynch, 5. Alayna Gilleece, 6. Holly Owens, 7. Ella Vasselin, 8. Lilyrose Babington, 9. Aoibheann Fletcher, 10. Leah McLoughlin, 11. Lydia Trehy, 12. Abigail Kerin, 13. Lucy McGrane (C), 14. Noemi Nagrabska, 15. Jessica Doran.
Replacements: 16. Genevieve Berwick, 17. Alice Larkin, 18. Aobha Duffin, 19. Chloe Goodwin, 20. Aoibhe Cheevers, 21. Finley Clarke, 22. Fiadh Stafford, 23. Grace Shortt.
The U16 Girls will look to build on this fantastic opening victory as they return to home soil next weekend to face ABS (Ardee-Boyne-Skerries) next Saturday, 12th September 2026 Kick-Off: 12:30 PM in Balreask Old.
Come down next Saturday afternoon to show your support for the girls!