Navan kicked off their 2024/25 Energia All-Ireland League Division 2A campaign with a tough opening fixture against Greystones in Wicklow. The Meath side were looking to build on last season's narrow defeat at Dr. Hickey Park and were hopeful of starting the season with a win, but it was not to be as Greystones edged them out in a tightly contested affair, 16-13.
The match began at a high tempo, with Navan dominating possession and playing much of the early exchanges in Greystones’ half. However, several key mistakes and solid Greystones defence denied Navan any early breakthrough.
Greystones capitalised on Navan's errors at the lineout and breakdown, forcing turnovers that halted Navan's progress. After an initial penalty from Navan's Mark Farrell on 16 minutes, Greystones responded with their own penalty through Gavin Rochford to level the score three minutes later on the 19th minute.
Greystones broke the deadlock on the half-hour mark when hooker Rob Byrne crashed over for the first try of the game. However, Rochford missed the conversion, keeping the score at 8-3.
Navan remained resilient and narrowed the gap just before halftime with another penalty from Mark Farrell in the 34th minute, bringing the score to 8-6 at the break.
Greystones came out strong in the second half and extended their lead almost immediately. In the 42nd minute, winger Craig Kenny darted over the try line to push the home side further ahead. Rochford missed the conversion, leaving the score at 13-6.
Navan continued to battle, but Rochford's second penalty in the 52nd minute increased Greystones' lead to 16-6, putting the visitors under pressure.
Navan faced further challenges when reduced to 14 men due to a yellow card midway through the second half. Greystones pushed for a third try to put the game out of reach but were thwarted by a knock-on.
Despite struggling with injuries and possession, Navan pushed hard in the closing stages.
With time running out, Navan launched a last-ditch attack with a kick ahead towards the posts, a Greystones defender's shirt-pull prevented a clear try-scoring opportunity. The referee awarded Navan a penalty try, and the conversion automatically brought them within three points at 16-13.
Navan’s efforts in the dying moments were not enough to secure victory, but they left Dr. Hickey Park with a crucial losing bonus point.
Navan will regroup and look ahead to their first home game of the season at Balreask Old next Saturday, 28th September, when they host Old Crescent at 2:30 pm.
Navan Men's 1st XV Squad "Sponsored by Hannon Travel":
Shane Walshe, Harry Devlin, Rory Gordon, Kyle Dixon, Mark Coen, Evan Dixon (Capt), Mark Farrell, James Wyse, Gary Faulkner, Jordan Finney, Thomas Ciot, Liam McAree, Harry Conlon, Bem Mc Entagart, Lazlo Pschorn.
Replacements: Jayden Henderson, Leigh Jackson, Andrew Beggy, Jack Dixon, Tom Gavigan, Cormac Horan, David Brady.
The match began at a high tempo, with Navan dominating possession and playing much of the early exchanges in Greystones’ half. However, several key mistakes and solid Greystones defence denied Navan any early breakthrough.
Greystones capitalised on Navan's errors at the lineout and breakdown, forcing turnovers that halted Navan's progress. After an initial penalty from Navan's Mark Farrell on 16 minutes, Greystones responded with their own penalty through Gavin Rochford to level the score three minutes later on the 19th minute.
Greystones broke the deadlock on the half-hour mark when hooker Rob Byrne crashed over for the first try of the game. However, Rochford missed the conversion, keeping the score at 8-3.
Navan remained resilient and narrowed the gap just before halftime with another penalty from Mark Farrell in the 34th minute, bringing the score to 8-6 at the break.
Greystones came out strong in the second half and extended their lead almost immediately. In the 42nd minute, winger Craig Kenny darted over the try line to push the home side further ahead. Rochford missed the conversion, leaving the score at 13-6.
Navan continued to battle, but Rochford's second penalty in the 52nd minute increased Greystones' lead to 16-6, putting the visitors under pressure.
Navan faced further challenges when reduced to 14 men due to a yellow card midway through the second half. Greystones pushed for a third try to put the game out of reach but were thwarted by a knock-on.
Despite struggling with injuries and possession, Navan pushed hard in the closing stages.
With time running out, Navan launched a last-ditch attack with a kick ahead towards the posts, a Greystones defender's shirt-pull prevented a clear try-scoring opportunity. The referee awarded Navan a penalty try, and the conversion automatically brought them within three points at 16-13.
Navan’s efforts in the dying moments were not enough to secure victory, but they left Dr. Hickey Park with a crucial losing bonus point.
Navan will regroup and look ahead to their first home game of the season at Balreask Old next Saturday, 28th September, when they host Old Crescent at 2:30 pm.
Navan Men's 1st XV Squad "Sponsored by Hannon Travel":
Shane Walshe, Harry Devlin, Rory Gordon, Kyle Dixon, Mark Coen, Evan Dixon (Capt), Mark Farrell, James Wyse, Gary Faulkner, Jordan Finney, Thomas Ciot, Liam McAree, Harry Conlon, Bem Mc Entagart, Lazlo Pschorn.
Replacements: Jayden Henderson, Leigh Jackson, Andrew Beggy, Jack Dixon, Tom Gavigan, Cormac Horan, David Brady.
