Trio of Co Cavan RFC teams perform well in Navan blitz
Under 11s
Co. Cavan Rugby U11s was out in force with three teams travelling down the M3 to Navan for a four-game blitz. The weather wasn’t playing ball with overnight rain making the playing conditions challenging but this did not hinder the team sponsored by Shades Bar and Grill one bit with excellent performances across all three teams.
Red Team: The Reds demonstrated great teamwork in Navan with impressive form throughout their four games. The team operated as a unit with great ball recycling, rucking, counter rucking and passing skills on display. Scott Hanly, scrum half, was very busy around the breakdowns and marshalled the team around the field with ease. He was supported well by chief 'jackalers' Archie Furlong and Peter Duignan, who ensured many a ruck turned over, often resulting in unstoppable drives and tries. Cian Smith operated across the back with safe hands and fast legs collecting the opposition's kicks and always returning them with interested. Noah Furlong was ever present behind the ruck and made good ground with straight runs and excellent ball presentation. Sol Kelly and Alicia McAloon operated like seasoned wingers across all four games adding to the scoreline on several occasions as did new recruit Alberto Martel who was rewarded with his first try today.
Blue Team: The Blues knew they were in a game but relished the opportunity to showcase their talents in closely contested matches with their Navan counterparts. Adam Black, Iarlaith Hyland, Shea Reilly, Ruadhán Gray, and Cathal Smith put in the hard shifts, tackling, kicking, receiving, and getting rewarded with very impressive tries. Michael Redmond and Niall McBreen worked their magic in the ruck, with Niall also adding to the try tally. Caoileann Crowe stole down the wing and couldn’t be caught by Navan as she crossed the line in style. Ryan Nicholson was steadfast in holding the defensive line with his teammates and solid in the line-out. This was a superb team performance.
Yellow Team: The Yellows took to the field for what looked like a wet morning of rugby. Much like the weather they found their form fairly quickly. Match one seen Navan open the scoreboard, but they responded valiantly with a try through a driving run from Danny Murdock. Donnacha Crowe added the next score as they really started to find their feet. Danny Murdock was at the heart of their next score where he drove up the middle sucking in the defenders and serving a lovely offload to Faolán Flanigan who took his first score very nicely in the corner. Danny Murdock added another try to the score board and shortly after Donnacha Crowe also went in to boost the score count. Andrew Wood playing scrum half added another one to the score board when he showed his desire to go forward, he crosses the whitewash in fine fashion. Danny Murdock finished this game with a hat trick when he scored for a third time.
The following game was a gutsy performance where they had to work harder. Dylan McPhillips shone bright with his tackle count and go forward ball. Dylan sucked in the defence again and used his wing men Jamie Crowe and Donncha Crow who showed great handling skills to get it into the wide channels where Faolán Flanigan was on the ready and side stepped his way through the defenders for another dazzling try.
Navan fought hard and didn’t give an inch, with the kick-off gathered nicely by Faolán Flanigan he welcomed the opportunity to take another run at the Navan defence and weaved his way to another try which was brilliant. Josh Rafferty showed how he has grown in strength and crossed for a brace of tries. Faolán again added try’s along with Dylan McPhillips who made a fantastic burst through the middle and showed great strength to cross the line. Andrew Woods wasn’t happy with just one score and added to his own tally yet again. Oscar Brady, although fairly new to the game, worked really hard for his team defensively and offensively showing tremendous promise. Meanwhile Brían Crowe had some dazzling bursts forward with the ball in hand. Donncha Crowe added to the scoreboard on more than one occasion. Their legs were starting to show signs of tiredness; however, the tiredness didn’t stop them, and they strove forward numerous times and defended with great spirit. It’s fair to say they brought their A game to Navan. There are still things to work on, but their coaches will take great pride in their team’s performance today.
Co. Cavan Rugby Shades Bar and Grill U11 work rate was to an exceptional standard as always. they should be as proud as the coaches are, of how they represented their club. The future is bright for this group of young superstars.