Navan Men's Under 20's welcomed Buccaneers to Balreask Old for a pre-season challenge match on Sunday. Buccaneers, who played in a higher division in last season's Leinster JP Flanagan U20 League and featured several Connacht academy players, showed their strength, but Navan held their own for large portions of the game.
The visitors opened the scoring with a converted try, but Navan responded with an unconverted try from Oisin Heffernan, closing the gap to 7-5 after 25 minutes. The first half turned into a midfield battle, with both sides contesting possession fiercely and delivering powerful tackles. Just before half-time, Navan gained momentum, allowing Heffernan to score his second try, this time in the right corner. Philip Smyth successfully converted, giving Navan a 12-7 lead at the break.
Buccaneers came out strong after the restart, capitalising on a lapse in Navan's concentration to score a quick converted try, reclaiming the lead. However, Navan responded by forcing the visitors into errors, with a Buccaneers prop yellow-carded for repeated infringements. Navan exploited their numerical advantage, setting up Finney McNally for a try to the left of the posts, which Smyth converted, restoring their lead.
Buccaneers regained control, launching a 20-point spree without reply. They closed Navan's lead to two points with a penalty and followed it with three tries, two in the corners and one to the right of the posts, exploiting defensive lapses from Navan. Despite this, Navan managed a late try from Shane O'Connor, converted by Smyth, narrowing the gap to 26-34 with five minutes remaining.
However, Buccaneers sealed the game with a final converted try under the posts just before full-time, ending the match at 41-26.
Despite the loss, Navanโs strong showing against a formidable opponent provided valuable insights for their preparations ahead of the upcoming Leinster JP Flanagan U20 League. Navan will continue their pre-season next week when they host Ulster side Clogher Valley at Balreask Old on Saturday 14th September, with a 3:30 pm kick-off.
The visitors opened the scoring with a converted try, but Navan responded with an unconverted try from Oisin Heffernan, closing the gap to 7-5 after 25 minutes. The first half turned into a midfield battle, with both sides contesting possession fiercely and delivering powerful tackles. Just before half-time, Navan gained momentum, allowing Heffernan to score his second try, this time in the right corner. Philip Smyth successfully converted, giving Navan a 12-7 lead at the break.
Buccaneers came out strong after the restart, capitalising on a lapse in Navan's concentration to score a quick converted try, reclaiming the lead. However, Navan responded by forcing the visitors into errors, with a Buccaneers prop yellow-carded for repeated infringements. Navan exploited their numerical advantage, setting up Finney McNally for a try to the left of the posts, which Smyth converted, restoring their lead.
Buccaneers regained control, launching a 20-point spree without reply. They closed Navan's lead to two points with a penalty and followed it with three tries, two in the corners and one to the right of the posts, exploiting defensive lapses from Navan. Despite this, Navan managed a late try from Shane O'Connor, converted by Smyth, narrowing the gap to 26-34 with five minutes remaining.
However, Buccaneers sealed the game with a final converted try under the posts just before full-time, ending the match at 41-26.
Despite the loss, Navanโs strong showing against a formidable opponent provided valuable insights for their preparations ahead of the upcoming Leinster JP Flanagan U20 League. Navan will continue their pre-season next week when they host Ulster side Clogher Valley at Balreask Old on Saturday 14th September, with a 3:30 pm kick-off.
