02 Mar Women’s Triple-Header – Three Teams, Three Wins!
(By Michelle Claffey)
Sunday 1st March saw three Navan RFC Adult Women’s teams line out in Balreask Old in the Leinster League competition. On a day that Navan RFC fielded three teams, all games kicked off at 1pm.
In advance of the game Navan RFC hosted a pre match brunch of 80 attendees of friends and family. This was an incredible achievement to host our 6th brunch in three years. Guest of honour was Fiona Coghlan, 2013 Grand Slam winning captain and RTÉ pundit. An honour for the club to host her on the day.
(Women’s Pre-Match Brunch)
Leinster Women’s League Division 1
Navan 41 Balbriggan 22
Sunday 1st March | Balreask Old
Navan Women’s 1st’s had another dominant win against North-East rivals Balbriggan RFC. This was even with two key personnel missing with Alex Connor and Rosie Searle on Celtic Challenge duty. The team scored 8 tries on a comprehensive victory. On a blustery day Navan played with the wind and tried to keep the ball in hand to get through the phases. Shona White was first to get Navan on the score board. Balbriggan got a quick try back. Áine Castles was in form on the right wing, she showed her pace and power to nab a try and put Navan back on the front foot.
Navan capitalised on momentum and from set piece Emily Jo White gave front foot ball, with Sharon Lynch grabbing a try for herself with quick thinking at the ruck. To close out the first half Emily Jo White scored a try, with captain Anna Bolger converting the try leaving the score 24-12 at half time.
Playing into the wind in the second half, Navan continued to dominate in the game with Lauren Kelly showing her pace to score on the left hand side and keep Navan firmly.in the driving seat. Balbriggan again came back to score a try but on receipt of pressure from Navan, Navan got the ball back, with dominant carries from Shona White allowed Michelle Claffey to score under the posts, and again conversion from captain Anna Bolger.
A team try scored by Sophia Murdock on the left hand side was a reflection of the interplay of backs and forwards on the day. Quick thinking and off the cuff playing was a nice way to nearly finish off the day. Balbriggan got a consolation try at the death with Navan down to 14 players.
A bonus point win at home against Balbriggan in out first year in Division 1 was a brillaint achievement. This leaves us in second place heading into the last game of the season with a place in the AIL Junior Cup up for grabs. Player of the Match was Sharon Lynch, showing her dominance and ability all over the pitch.
Next up in Naas away on Sunday the 8th of March, kick off 1pm
Navan RFC Women’s 1st XV “Sponsored by P.Berminghams Bar”: Emily Jo White, Sharon Lynch, Ava Kiechler, Emma Looby, Shona White, Katie Kearney, Ava Galvin, Aoife Ryan, Anita Lennon, Anna Bolger, Sophia Murdock, Michelle Claffey, Molly Fitzgerald, Áine Castles, Lauren Kelly, Lauren Fitzpatrick, Rebecca Lowry, Louise Crinion, Lillian Brady, Jackie Shiels, Allie Flynn.
Leinster Women’s League Division 6
Navan 19 Roscrea 17
Sunday 1st March | Balreask Old
Navan Women’s 2nd’s played against rivals Roscrea at home in Balreask Old in what promised to be a titanic battle between the two sides. From the outset Navan found field position and worked really hard to get go-forward ball from their forwards in particular Martina O’Neill, Keelan O’Connor and Tara Quinn.
Ciara Delahunt managed the packs and back line to ensure that Navan were on the front foot with each opportunity. Louise Cheesy Coyle had a moment of individual brilliance with her kick through and jumping on the ball to score a try for Navan on a day where it was needed. Sinead Ryan displayed her pace and power around the pitch. Ryan nabbed a try for the team by dinking through oncoming tackles continuing to keep Navan in the driving seat. Anna McGarry slotted her conversion from the touch line, this ensured that Navan were able to keep pressure on Roscrea in what was to be a very tight finish.
Young Player of the Year Molly Egan was to be the difference; Egan showed her ability to score at vital times with a try on the right edge with Anna McGarry slotting the ever important conversion to put Navan ahead 19-5 at half time.
A comprehensive defensive effort was needed by Navan to hold out Roscrea. But Roscrea managed to tag on trying to push Navan to the very end. McGarry’s conversions proved to be the key to Navan’s victory.
Player of the Match was Sinead Ryan, a cornerstone of the Navan team and a trailblazer in the sport.
Next up is Longford away on Sunday the 8th of March, kick off 1pm.
Navan RFC Women’s 2nd XV “Sponsored by P.Berminghams Bar”: Mary-Louise Bridgeman, Sinead Ryan, Anna Mennis, Mairead Carty, Victoria Quinn, Keelan O’Connor, Tara Quinn, Martina O’Neill, Paula Keating, Ciara Quinn, Sophia FitzHerbert, Anna McGarry, Louise Coyle, Molly Egan, Leanne O’Neill, Róisín Watters, Thanuja Dharmasena, Shaunagh Keogan, Kym McGrath, Alanna Kelly.
Leinster Women’s League Division 6
Navan 41 Dundalk 12
Sunday 1st March | Balreask Old
Navan Women’s 3rd squad played against close rivals Dundalk, with both sides needing a win to keep the league a chance. Niamh Callaghan with her first try for the club put Navan on the scoreboard. This was quickly followed up with a try by Alanna Kelly and converted by vice captain Sarah White. Navan continued to pressure Dundalk with Shannon Mead scoring her first try for the club and Alanna Kelly scoring her second of the day. Mia Kavanagh nabbed the fifth try of the day before half time. Leaving the score 27-0. However Dundalk came out in the second half and nabbed two quick tries putting pressure back on Navan. Anna Marchant stepped up and scored a vital try for the team, this settled Navan back into a rhythm of the game with Aoife White, newly appointed Leinster referee, scoring her first try and her sister Sarah slotting the conversion. A proud day for captain Ger Lynch on winning at home and leading from the front.
Player of the Match was Chelsea McGroarty who drove the team forward and worked tirelessly.
Next up for Division 6 is the Cup, there is still a chance of Navan winning division 6, but we have done all we can so far.
What a season for us in our first year of a third team
Navan RFC Women’s 3rd XV “Sponsored by P.Berminghams Bar”: Hannah Ettie, Chelsea McGroarty, Niamh Callaghan, Anna Marchant, Shannon Mead, Niamh Yourell, Mia Kavanagh, Sarah White, Kelly Harris, Geraldine Lynch, Rhiannon Hoey, Aoife White, Alanna Kelly, Sue Nisbitt, Tanya Gilbane, Kellie Behan, Katie Bellew, Sasha Guirey.
Further Photos from the Triple-Header available HERE courtesy of Alicia Reynolds/ARC Photography