Navan Rugby Football Club is an Irish rugby union club, based in Navan, County Meath, Republic of Ireland. They currently (2022-2023) play in Division 2A of the All-Ireland League.[1] The club was founded in 1925.[2]
| Full name | Navan Rugby Football Club | |
|---|---|---|
| Union | IRFU Leinster | |
| Founded | 1925 | |
| Ground(s) | Balreask Old, Navan | |
| Chairman | Brennie Farrell | |
| President | Scott Ennis (2024-2025) | |
| Coach(es) | Jason Harris-Wright | |
| Captain(s) | Evan Dixon | |
| ||
History
editNavan were founded in 1925 and played their first match at the Meath County Showgrounds groundsharing with Navan O'Mahonys GAA.[3][4] They spent most of their existence in their first forty years as a nomadic club with no fixed home ground.[2] In 1964, the club purchased land in Balreask Old Townland for IR£660 for a permanent rugby pitch and clubhouse.[2] In 2000, the clubhouse was renovated and funded via land sales and through support of the Minister for the Environment.[2][5] In 2019, Navan received an anonymous donation to fund the erection of new rugby posts.[6]
Achievements
editNavan won their first trophy, the Ryan Cup in 1930.[3] They also won the Provincial Town Cup ten times between 1964 and 2008.[3] Navan won their first Leinster League Division 1A which entered them into the inter-provincial play-offs to enter the All-Ireland League but were unsuccessful in gaining promotion.[3] In 2009, they won the Leinster title again and in the play-offs, they defeated City of Derry, Cashel and Monivea to earn qualification into the All-Ireland League for the first time.[7] In 2016, the All-Ireland league was restructured with Navan being placed in Division 2C, the lowest division. Navan won promotion in their first season and also won promotion from Division 2B the next year. In 2019, they won promotion to Division 1B after defeating Queen's University in the promotion play-off.[1]
References
edit- ^ a b "Hat-trick of promotions for Navan RFC". Meath Chronicle. 27 April 2019. Retrieved 5 March 2020.
- ^ a b c d "Big anniversary celebrations at Navan RFC". Meath Chronicle. 21 February 2015. Retrieved 5 March 2020.
- ^ a b c d "Navan RFC working hard to build on historic foundations". Irish Independent. Retrieved 5 March 2020.
- ^ "Navan RFC to Celebrate 50 Years at Balreask Old". Leinster Rugby. 16 February 2015. Retrieved 5 March 2020.
- ^ "AIB Junior Cup: Focus On Navan". IRFU. 8 April 2008. Retrieved 5 March 2020.
- ^ "Anonymous boost for Navan RFC". Meath Chronicle. 31 October 2019. Retrieved 5 March 2020.
- ^ "Navan Secure AIB League Place". IRFU. 20 April 2009. Retrieved 5 March 2020.