The Men’s 1st XV made the trip west to Galway Corinthians in Round 16 of the Energia AIL Division 2A, knowing that every league point in this crucial stage of the season could be vital in their battle for survival. Facing a Corinthians side pushing for promotion play-off seeding, Navan produced a gritty performance, ultimately falling short but earning a valuable losing bonus point to stay eighth in the table.
Match Summary
Navan started well, using physical forward play and a solid defensive structure to disrupt Corinthians’ attacking rhythm. The first half saw both teams struggle to gain momentum, with errors creeping in on both sides—resulting in a rare 0-0 scoreline at halftime.
Navan came out firing after the break, winning a penalty deep in Corinthians’ territory. From the resulting lineout, Liam McAree took possession, and a textbook forwards maul powered over the try line, with Gary Faulkner dotting down. Shane Walshe added the conversion via the post to give Navan a 7-0 lead.
However, Corinthians responded immediately, using powerful carries from their forwards to level the score with a converted try. They then took the lead shortly after with a similar forwards-driven try.
Navan pushed hard in the final quarter to find a second try, but handling errors and turnovers halted their progress. Despite this, their defensive intensity remained strong, preventing Corinthians from extending their lead and ensuring Navan secured a crucial losing bonus point.
Key Performances
- Players of the Match (Sponsored by The Central): Liam Carroll & Eoghan Noonan
- Try Scorer: Gary Faulkner
- Conversion: Shane Walshe
Starting XV: Harry Watters, Harry Devlin, Evan Dixon (capt), Kyle Dixon, Shane Walshe, Tom Gavigan, Mark Farrell, Liam Carroll, Gary Faulkner, Jordan Finney, Liam McAree, Conor Hand, Michael Brady, Ben McEntagart, Tom Ciot.
Replacements: Anthony Martinez, Leigh Jackson, Conor Ryan, Eoghan Noonan, Rory Gordon.
Replacements: Anthony Martinez, Leigh Jackson, Conor Ryan, Eoghan Noonan, Rory Gordon.
League Standings & Next Fixtures
Following this round of matches, Navan sits eighth in the table, one point ahead of Ballymena, with their battle for safety continuing next week in Limerick against Old Crescent.
Next Match: Round 17
Old Crescent vs Navan – Saturday, 29th March, Kick-Off 2:30 PM, Takumi Park, Limerick
Old Crescent vs Navan – Saturday, 29th March, Kick-Off 2:30 PM, Takumi Park, Limerick
With just three games remaining, every point matters as Navan fights to retain their Division 2A status.
