04 Mar U18 Girls Exit Noeleen Spain Cup After Brave Showing
Leinster Girls Under 18 Youth “Noeleen Spain Cup” – 1st Round
Navan 12 De La Mary’s 42
Saturday 28th February | Balreask Old
Navan RFC Under 18 Girls saw their Noeleen Spain Cup campaign come to an end on Saturday following a 42–12 defeat to “De La Mary’s” an amalgamation of De La Salle Palmerston and St Mary’s College, in bright, sunny conditions at Balreask Old.
While the result did not go Navan’s way, the squad showed resilience and determination throughout.
The Dublin side began sharply, building early momentum and taking the lead with confident attacking play.
Navan responded impressively. A superb breakaway try from Aisling Caffrey, finished with pace and composure, brought the home side firmly back into contention. Maggie Kerin added the conversion to narrow the gap and spark hopes of a closely fought contest.
However, De La Mary’s maintained their intensity and went into the interval holding a 21–7 advantage.
Early second-half pressure saw the visitors extend their lead, and Navan’s challenge was compounded when two players were forced off through injury.
Despite the setbacks, Navan continued to compete with courage and commitment. Their efforts were rewarded when Anna Mae Tracey powered over for the side’s second try, demonstrating the squad’s refusal to back down.
Ultimately, De La Mary’s proved clinical and ran out deserved winners, but Navan’s spirit and work rate remained evident until the final whistle.
While not the desired outcome, the experience will serve as an important learning opportunity for a developing squad. The team’s character and togetherness remain strong foundations to build on for the remainder of the season.
Navan RFC Under 18 Girls Squad:
Aoife White; Alison McGuinness, Aisling Caffrey, Emma O’Rourke, Derinn McDonnell; Maggie Kerin, Mia Kavanagh; Aimée Kealy, Ciara Byrne, Amelia Lynch, Sine Curley, Emma Hyland, Ellen Vuckovic, Grace Evelyn McWeeney, Amy Kennedy, Dara Brady, Katie Lynch, Shera Creamer, Alexa Wall, Amelia Gillespie, Gráinne Vaughan, Roisin Clarke, Anna Mae Tracey.