Youth Girls Round-Up: Week Ending 7th December

Navan U18 Girls produced a gutsy performance on a wet and windy afternoon at Balreask Old as they hosted a strong Barnhall side.

Girls Under 18’s Leinster U18 Girls Grading Group D (Saturday 6th December)

• Result: Navan 12 Barnhall 29
• Location: Balreask Old, Navan.

The visitors started brightly, dominating the opening stages and crossing for two well-worked tries to establish a 12–0 lead. Navan responded superbly, growing into the game and applying sustained pressure. Their efforts were rewarded when Maeve Sheehy powered over for their first try, before Emma O’Rourke added a second in difficult conditions. Maggie Kerin converted to bring the sides level at 12–12.

With the match finely balanced entering the closing minutes, Barnhall showed their pace out wide, striking for three late tries to pull away on the scoreboard.

Despite the final margin, this was an excellent display from Navan against quality opposition, with plenty of positives to build on. Maeve Sheehy was deservedly named Player of the Match.

Navan Under 18 Girls Squad

imée Kealy, Dara Brady, Amelia Lynch, Roisin Clarke, Emma Hyland, Maeve Sheehy, Grace Evelyn McWeeney, Amy Kennedy, Shera Creamer, Maggie Kerin, Araceli (Tati) Ayesa Garcia, Emma O’Rourke, Sarah Byrne, Derinn McDonnell, Anna-Mae Tracey.

Replacements: Oliwia Kozlowska, Ciara Byrne, Katie Lynch, Gráinne Vaughan, Ellen Vuckovic, Evie McDonnell, Sine Curley, Aisling Caffrey.

Girls Under 14’s – Leinster Under 14 Girls Grading Group D (Saturday 6th December)

Sharks 38 Navan 10

Wanderers RFC, Ballsbridge.

Navan’s U14 Girls put in a spirited performance on Saturday as they travelled to the all-weather pitch at Wanderers RFC to face the Sharks — an amalgamated side comprising players from Old Belvedere, Terenure and Blackrock.

Navan began brightly, striking early when Aoibheann Fletcher crossed for a well-taken try inside the opening five minutes. However, the Sharks responded strongly, applying sustained pressure and running in three converted tries to take control of the contest before half-time.

Despite the scoreboard, Navan showed character and determination throughout the second half. Their efforts were rewarded late in the game when Cara Reynolds finished off an excellent team move, displaying superb footwork to score Navan’s second try.0ll

Although the result went against them, this young Navan side continues to show clear improvement week on week — a promising sign for the season ahead.

Navan Under 14 Girls Squad: Michaela Spillane, Libbie Horan, Fiadh Stafford, Finley Clarke, Alayna Gilleece Holly Owens, Chloe Goodwin, Alice Larkin, Aoibheann Fletcher, Leah McLoughlin, Abby Colwell Brady, Cara Reynolds, Rory Mai Daly, Róisín Regan, Charlotte Hevey, Sophie Lee, Isabel Nixon, Abigail Boland