Clogher Valley: Tries: Callum Smyton, Matthew Bothwell 2, Tommi Coulter, Taine Haire; Cons: David Maxwell 4
Navan: Tries: Gary Faulkner, Mark Coen; Con: Mark Farrell; Pen: Mark Farrell
(HT: Clogher Valley 12 Navan 15)
Navan made their first-ever AIL visit to The Cran on Saturday, facing Ulster challengers Clogher Valley in Round Seven of the Division 2B campaign. Despite leading 15–12 at the interval, Navan were unable to contain a powerful second-half surge from the home side, who ran in five tries in total.
Clogher Valley opened the scoring after just two minutes with an unconverted try from a rolling maul. Navan responded well and grew into the contest, taking the lead on 25 minutes when Gary Faulkner finished from a well-constructed maul, converted by Mark Farrell.
Navan’s momentum continued as Mark Coen touched down in the left corner following a sweeping phase of play. Farrell added a penalty five minutes before the break to extend the lead to 15–5. However, Clogher Valley struck with a converted try on the stroke of halftime, narrowing Navan’s advantage.
The hosts dominated the second half, crossing under the posts early on before adding further tries in the final quarter and again in the closing minutes to seal the win. Navan, limited to few opportunities after the break, will now look to regroup ahead of the visit of unbeaten league leaders Galwegians to Balreask Old this Saturday.
Navan Player of the Match “Sponsored by The Central”: Oisin Heffernan
NAVAN RFC Men's 1st XV Squad "Sponsored by Hannon Travel": Harrison Astley; Mark Coen, Will Finegan, Ben McEntagart, Shane Walshe; Tom Gavigan, Mark Farrell; Liam Carroll, Gary Faulkner, Jordan Finney, Oisin Heffernan, Karolis Navickas, Johnny McKeown, Conor Farrell, Conor Hand (capt).
CLOGHER VALLEY: Jake Woods; Philip Wilson, Michael Bothwell, Josh Kyle, Taine Haire; David Maxwell, Matthew Bothwell; Jamie Allen, Luke Allen, Neil Henderson, Tommi Coulter, Ryan Stewart, David Stinson, Aaron Dunwoody, Callum Smyton (capt).
Replacements: Kyle Cobane, Aaron Crawford, Michael Treanor, Joel Busby, Alex Howe.
