Navan Senior Men’s team welcomed Ulster side Banbridge to Balreask Old on Saturday for round seven of the Energia All-Ireland League Division 2A.
Fresh from their first win of the season at Cashel, Navan hoped to continue their momentum. However, Banbridge, rebounding from a loss to Greystones, presented a formidable challenge.
The match opened with intense physical exchanges, as Navan’s direct ball carriers faced a well-organized Banbridge defence that contested every breakdown. Early pressure led to Navan errors, and Banbridge capitalised with their first score at six minutes. Out-half Charlie Beattie finished a sweeping move from midfield to score in the right corner, although the conversion was missed (0–5).
Banbridge extended their lead in the 21st minute when scrum-half Jack Hart intercepted a Navan pass and ran approximately 60 metres to score. Despite missing the conversion, Banbridge led 10–0. Navan responded with a penalty attempt on 26 minutes but missed the chance to close the gap.
Navan continued putting phases together to get into the visitors half of the field, and their perseverance paid off just before halftime when inside-centre Mathijs de Wit broke through the Banbridge defence to score under the posts. Fly-half Tom Gavigan’s successful conversion reduced the deficit to 7–10 at the break, keeping Navan firmly in contention.
The second half began with Banbridge upping their tempo and disrupting Navan’s attacking rhythm. Five minutes after the restart, Banbridge scored their third try, this time converting to extend their lead to 17–7.
Navan fought back impressively with a strong break from Kyle Dixon, whose efforts set up winger Shane Walshe for a try, converted by Gavigan, bringing the score to 14–17. However, hopes of a comeback were dashed ten minutes later when Walshe received a straight red card for a dangerous high tackle with head contact, leaving Navan to battle the final quarter with 14 players.
Banbridge capitalised on their numerical advantage, securing a bonus point with two more tries in the last quarter. The visitors closed the game with a decisive 31–14 victory.
Despite the loss, number eight Tom Ciot stood out for Navan in a tough contest. Navan now enters a two-week break before travelling to Athlone to face bottom-placed Buccaneers in Round Eight on Saturday 7th December in Dubarry Park.
Navan Men's 1st XV Squad "Sponsored by Hannon Travel":
Rory Gordon; Mark Coen, Mathijs de Wit, Kyle Dixon, Shane Walshe; Tom Gavigan, Mark Farrell; Liam Carroll, Jayden Henderson, Leigh Jackson, Jordan Finney, Liam McAree, Conor Hand (Capt), Ben McEntagart, Tom Ciot.
Replacements: Gary Faulkner, Harry Conlon, Jack Dixon, Harry Devlin, Cormac Horan
Fresh from their first win of the season at Cashel, Navan hoped to continue their momentum. However, Banbridge, rebounding from a loss to Greystones, presented a formidable challenge.
The match opened with intense physical exchanges, as Navan’s direct ball carriers faced a well-organized Banbridge defence that contested every breakdown. Early pressure led to Navan errors, and Banbridge capitalised with their first score at six minutes. Out-half Charlie Beattie finished a sweeping move from midfield to score in the right corner, although the conversion was missed (0–5).
Banbridge extended their lead in the 21st minute when scrum-half Jack Hart intercepted a Navan pass and ran approximately 60 metres to score. Despite missing the conversion, Banbridge led 10–0. Navan responded with a penalty attempt on 26 minutes but missed the chance to close the gap.
Navan continued putting phases together to get into the visitors half of the field, and their perseverance paid off just before halftime when inside-centre Mathijs de Wit broke through the Banbridge defence to score under the posts. Fly-half Tom Gavigan’s successful conversion reduced the deficit to 7–10 at the break, keeping Navan firmly in contention.
The second half began with Banbridge upping their tempo and disrupting Navan’s attacking rhythm. Five minutes after the restart, Banbridge scored their third try, this time converting to extend their lead to 17–7.
Navan fought back impressively with a strong break from Kyle Dixon, whose efforts set up winger Shane Walshe for a try, converted by Gavigan, bringing the score to 14–17. However, hopes of a comeback were dashed ten minutes later when Walshe received a straight red card for a dangerous high tackle with head contact, leaving Navan to battle the final quarter with 14 players.
Banbridge capitalised on their numerical advantage, securing a bonus point with two more tries in the last quarter. The visitors closed the game with a decisive 31–14 victory.
Despite the loss, number eight Tom Ciot stood out for Navan in a tough contest. Navan now enters a two-week break before travelling to Athlone to face bottom-placed Buccaneers in Round Eight on Saturday 7th December in Dubarry Park.
Navan Men's 1st XV Squad "Sponsored by Hannon Travel":
Rory Gordon; Mark Coen, Mathijs de Wit, Kyle Dixon, Shane Walshe; Tom Gavigan, Mark Farrell; Liam Carroll, Jayden Henderson, Leigh Jackson, Jordan Finney, Liam McAree, Conor Hand (Capt), Ben McEntagart, Tom Ciot.
Replacements: Gary Faulkner, Harry Conlon, Jack Dixon, Harry Devlin, Cormac Horan
