On Friday and Saturday, 13th and 14th September, Navan Rugby Football Club hosted Ashbourne RFC at Balreask Old for the first-ever President's Club Challenge series. This two-day event was a special occasion for both clubs, celebrating Navan RFC’s Centenary and Ashbourne RFC’s 50th anniversary. The weekend was filled with competitive rugby across multiple levels, showcasing the strength of both clubs in County Meath.
The matches kicked off on Friday evening and continued throughout Saturday afternoon, with games at both youth and adult levels. The action-packed weekend saw both clubs demonstrate their passion for the game, with competitive encounters that were enjoyed by players, supporters, and the wider community.
Results from the President's Club Challenge:
- Women’s J1: Navan 15 Ashbourne 7
- Men’s J3: Navan 0 Ashbourne 69
- Under 18 Girls: Navan 43 Ashbourne 29
- Under 18 Boys: Navan 37 Ashbourne 7
- Under 17 Boys: Navan 35 Ashbourne 5
- Under 16 Girls: Navan 22 Ashbourne-Balbriggan 20
- Under 16 Boys: Navan 20 Ashbourne 14
- Under 14 Girls: Navan 53 Ashbourne 43
- Under 13 Boys: Navan 19 Ashbourne 29
The President's Club Challenge provided an excellent platform for both clubs to celebrate their shared histories and bright futures. The matches were competitive, with Navan and Ashbourne both enjoying successes across various age groups. Ashbourne's Men's J3 team delivered a standout performance with a resounding 69-0 win, while Navan’s youth sides demonstrated their strength, particularly the Under 18 Girls and Boys teams, both of whom secured impressive victories.
The games were played in a festival-like atmosphere, with supporters from both clubs coming together to celebrate this momentous occasion. The weekend’s success was a testament to the strong rugby traditions and community spirit in County Meath.
At the conclusion of the weekend, Navan President Scott Ennis and Ashbourne President Sean Mahon expressed their gratitude to all the players, coaches, managers, volunteers, and supporters who made the event possible. Both praised the friendly yet competitive nature of the matches and emphasized how important these fixtures are in fostering the rugby culture between two of the county’s leading clubs.
Ennis and Mahon agreed that the inaugural President's Club Challenge was a resounding success, and both look forward to making it an annual event in the future. With a shared passion for the game and deep-rooted traditions, the future of rugby union football in County Meath looks very bright.
