Scorers:
Navan: Tries – Anthony Martinez, Shane Walshe (2);
Conversion – Tom Gavigan;
Penalties – Tom Gavigan (2).

Dungannon: Tries – Ryan Abernethy, Ben McCaughey, Charlie Conroy;
Conversions – Ben McCaughey (2);
Penalties – Ben McCaughey (3).

Navan RFC’s Men's 1st XV fell just short in a gripping encounter against Dungannon in Saturday’s Energia AIL Division 2A/2B Promotion/Relegation Play-Off Final at Balreask Old, with the Tyrone men edging a 28–23 victory to secure their place in Division 2A next season.

With top-flight status on the line, it was Dungannon who struck first, opening the scoring with a penalty just three minutes in. They extended their lead shortly after with a try off a powerful maul into the right-hand corner.

Navan responded strongly. Anthony Martinez crashed over in the corner from a well-worked maul off a five-metre lineout, though the conversion attempt struck the upright. Tom Gavigan then brought the sides level with a penalty from close range, before a sweeping move saw Shane Walshe touch down in the left corner to give Navan the lead.

Dungannon, however, kept in touch and slotted a penalty just before half-time to leave the sides level at 13–13 at the break.

Early in the second half, Walshe struck again, pouncing on a clever kick-through to score his second try of the match, with Gavigan adding the extras to restore Navan's lead. But Dungannon continued to respond, drawing level again with a converted try of their own on 55 minutes.

A penalty from Ben McCaughey nudged Dungannon into a 3-point lead before Charlie Conroy crossed for an unconverted try to stretch the visitors' advantage heading into the final stages.

Navan fought back with a second penalty from Gavigan to narrow the deficit to five points, setting up a tense finish. Despite their best efforts, the home side couldn’t regain possession in the closing minutes, and Dungannon celebrated a hard-fought victory at the final whistle.

The defeat means Navan will compete in Energia All-Ireland League Division 2B next season. While the result is a tough one to take, the club will regroup, rebuild, and aim for a strong campaign next season.

NAVAN Men's 1st XV Squad "Sponsored by Hannon Travel":
Rory Gordon; Harry Watters, Sean McEntagart, Evan Dixon (capt), Shane Walshe; Tom Gavigan, Mark Farrell; Liam Carroll, Anthony Martinez, Leigh Jackson, Eoghan Noonan, Jordan Finney, Conor Hand, Ben McEntagart, Tom Ciot.

Replacements: Gary Faulkner, David Clarke, Conor Ryan, Liam McAree, Michael Brady, Jack Dixon, Cormac Horan.

Dungannon:
Andrew McGregor; Ben McCaughey, James Girvan, Kyle Gormley, Charlie Conroy; Peter Nelson, Toby Gribben; Matthew Stockdale, Ryan Abernethy, James Gamble, Cameron Steenson, Callum Johns, Stephen Todd, Billy Allen, Adam Milligan.

Replacements: Sam Montgomery, Jacob Clarke, Peter Nicholl, Matthew Maguire, Alfie Lewis, David Leyburn, Peter Cashel, John Carroll.