Navan Ladies Rugby

🇮🇪Navan Legends Enshrined: IRFU Unveils Historic Women’s Heritage Cap List🇮🇪

There was a monumental and richly deserved celebration of 33 years of Irish Women’s international rugby at the Aviva Stadium on Sunday, connecting generations of players who have worn the green jersey with pride.

At a special post-match function following Ireland’s dramatic Six Nations victory over Scotland, the IRFU officially unveiled its definitive Women’s Heritage Caps List. For the first time, every player to have ever represented Ireland across both the 15-as-side and Sevens senior international arenas was honored with a unique, permanent playing number.

The initiative bridges the gap between the trailblazing pioneers of the inaugural 1993 team who played their maiden international against Scotland at Raeburn Place, Edinburgh and the modern squad, cementing the sentiment that today’s successes are built entirely on the shoulders of those who came before.

For Navan RFC, the evening was a historic validation of the club’s incredible contribution to the international game. A magnificent contingent of nine former and current Balreask Old stars have been permanently etched onto the national board of honor.

From early code-converters to modern giants of the game, here are the official Ireland Senior Heritage Numbers for the Navan RFC family:

🫡Orla Brennan — #129 (15s) / #4 (7s): Holding the distinction of a double-digit entry across both formats, Orla has been an iconic dual-international pioneer.

🫡Sinéad Ryan — #132 (15s) / #16 (7s): Another historic dual-code star whose legacy spans both the expansive sevens game and the physical test arena as well as on the pitch in Balreask Old this past season.

🫡Jackie Shiels — #148: The current Navan RFC Women’s Head Coach, whose extensive international career continues to inspire the thriving senior section at the club today.

🫡Marie Louise ‘Maz’ Reilly — #157: A legendary, towering lock who was a fundamental cornerstone of Ireland’s Six Nations and World Cup campaigns.

🫡Orla Fitzsimons — #178: A powerful second-row engine whose consistency at the highest level helped define a positive era for Irish Women’s rugby.

🫡Sharon Lynch — #180: Known for her relentless work rate in the pack, Sharon’s international pedigree has been a massive asset to the club’s current squad.

🫡Jenny Finlay — #211: A dynamic front-row technician whose call-up capped off years of elite performance and current Girls u16 coach.

🫡Michelle Claffey — #218: Current 1st XV Player/Assistant Coach, who recently served as Assistant Coach to the Ireland Women’s U18s, further strengthening the link between international standard and grassroots development.

🫡Sam Monaghan — #248: The current Ireland forward, former national captain, and proud Navan native. Sam remains a close friend to everyone at Navan RFC, acting as the ultimate role model for young boys and girls starting their rugby journeys at the club.

To see nine names with deep roots in Balreask Old receiving their permanent international cap numbers is a phenomenal milestone for Navan RFC. It reflects decades of elite coaching, a dedicated player pathway, and a club culture that fosters international-grade talent.

Congratulations to all our heritage cap recipients, your unique numbers are a permanent reminder that you didn’t just play for Ireland; you helped further the building of the Green Jersey to where it is today!

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As Ireland’s senior women were in the dressing room at half-time during their emphatic 54-5 win over Scotland, the focus shifted to celebrating the bright future of Ireland Women’s Under 21 and Under 18 squads. They were formally presented to the 31,294 strong crowd at the Aviva Stadium in recognition of their sensational recent international campaigns. This provided a moment of immense pride for the Navan RFC family.

Standing tall among the elite young talent walking the turf were three individuals representing the very best of Balreask Old - including Michelle Claffey, Alex Connor & Rosie Searle 🫶

The Ireland Under-18 Women’s squad (sponsored by PwC) received a roaring reception following their spectacular exploits at the U-18 Women’s Six Nations Festival at Wellington College in England.

Crucial to their success was the leadership behind the team. Navan RFC Women’s 1st XV Player/Assistant Coach Michelle Claffey brought her invaluable experience as a former Senior Ireland International to the coaching ticket. Serving as the national team’s Assistant Coach, Michelle’s elite tactical mind and mentorship helped guide the squad through an unbeaten international festival, cementing her status as one of the country’s finest emerging coaches.

Following the U18s the inaugural U21 Women’s Six Nations Series matched the U18s by executing a flawless “clean sweep” of victories.

Crucial to that historic championship run were two of Navan’s standout senior stars: Alex Connor and Rosie Searle. Both players have been instrumental in the rise of the women’s game at Balreask Old, and seeing them represent their country at the U21 level is a testament to the club’s thriving player pathway structures.

The ultimate highlight of the afternoon arrived when all three Navan women joined their respective national squads for a formal lap of honour. Walking the hallowed Aviva Stadium turf, Michelle, Alex, and Rosie took in a thunderous standing ovation from the record-breaking crowd.

Huge congrats Michelle, Alex & Rosie. We are unbelievably proud of you. 🫶
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Navan RFC joins Green Wave for Record Six Nations Finale

Balreask Old was quiet last Sunday, as just under 200 of Navan RFC’s Women’s and Girls’ players, coaches, and families packed their bags and joined the ever-growing “Green Wave,” traveling to Lansdowne Road for a historic day of international rugby.

The occasion was Ireland’s final fixture of the Guinness Women’s Six Nations campaign against Scotland. The atmosphere inside the Aviva Stadium was electric, setting a spectacular new benchmark for the sport with a record-breaking attendance of 31,294 spectators, the largest crowd ever to watch a women’s rugby international in Ireland.

The sea of supporters was treated to a masterclass on the pitch. Ireland produced a clinical and dominant performance, running in scores from all angles to secure an emphatic 54-5 victory over the Scots. The bonus-point win was a massive milestone for the national squad, mathematically confirming a hard-fought top-half finish in the championship table.

For the travelling Navan contingent, the magic didn’t stop at the final whistle. Following the celebrations, the Irish squad completed a traditional lap of honour to thank the record crowd, spending considerable time signing autographs, chatting with young grassroots players, and posing for photographs.

The Balreask Old section was treated to a memorable “pinch-yourself” moment as several international stars made their way over to the Navan flags including our club friend 🫶. Huge congrats Sam on a super performance & win on an historic day. 🇮🇪

A massive thank you to all the coaches, parent volunteers, and committee members who coordinated the travel logistics to get nearly 200 members down to Dublin safely. It was a day where memories were made, and the love for the women’s game grew even stronger.

190+ Navan RFC Women & Girls youth players, coaches etc. heading to the Aviva this Sunday for 🇮🇪 v 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 in Women’s final 6 Nations game.

Best of luck to our friend Sam Monaghan & the entire 🇮🇪 squad. 🫶

Let's go 🇮🇪 we cannot wait to bring the noise to the Aviva 📢🥁

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As honest a conversation you'll find in sport | Sam Monaghan speaks with Off The Ball Ireland international Sam Monaghan speaks to OTB's Dara Smith-Naughton ahead of an historic weekend in Irish rugby, as the final round of the Women's Six Nat...

The Navan RFC Under 14 Girls headed to the heart of Italian rugby for an unforgettable end-of-season tour to Parma, Italy last week.

From playing in professional stadiums to meeting international superstars and world players of the year, the trip was a masterclass in rugby culture, high-performance training, and world-class team bonding.

The rugby action kicked off on Saturday in spectacular fashion. The girls took to the pitch at Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi the home stadium of Zebre Parma, the Italian URC side, to compete in a 7’s tournament. Facing off against local Italian opposition, the Navan girls showcased the skills they’ve honed all season at Balreask Old, adapting brilliantly to the fast-paced 7s format in a professional environment.

Following the tournament, the squad were treated to an exclusive Q&A session with several Italian international players. It was a unique opportunity for our young athletes to gain insights into the professional game and the dedication required to reach the top level.

The excitement moved from the pitch to the stands as the group attended the Guinness Women’s Six Nations Round Four clash between Italy and England. Watching the best in the world compete at close quarters provided a massive inspiration for the squad.

The highlight for many came after the final whistle. Several members of the group managed to meet and snap photos with England’s elite, including Megan Jones and 2025 World Rugby Women’s 15’s Player of the Year, Ellie Kildunne. Meeting icons of the modern game capped off a truly historic day for the team.

Sunday brought a “pinch-yourself” training opportunity. The girls were put through their paces in a session led by ex-Ireland and Barbarians star turned rugby pundit, Anna Caplice. Learning from a player of Anna’s calibre was an invaluable experience, focusing on technical skills and the mental side of the game. Whilst also having the craic! The team also presented Anna with a Navan RFC polo shirt.

With the training boots packed away, the squad spent the afternoon exploring the historic sights of Parma, soaking in the culture and architecture of one of Italy’s most beautiful cities.

No end-of-season tour is complete without a day of pure adrenaline, and Monday delivered just that with a trip to Gardaland. The girls enjoyed a full day at Italy’s premier theme park, ensuring the tour ended on a high of laughter and thrills before the journey back to Meath.

A tour of this scale, across borders and into professional environments, requires immense dedication. Navan RFC would like to thank the coaches, mentors, and parents who worked tirelessly to organize the logistics with travel partner Rugby Travel Ireland and fundraising to make this trip a reality.

To the U14 Girls: you represented your club with pride, sportsmanship, and passion. You return to Navan not just as better rugby players, but as a tighter unit with memories that will last a lifetime.

Enjoy the Summer Break, Girls!

The future of Navan RFC Women’s Rugby is looking very bright indeed!

https://navanrugby.com/navan-rfc-u14-girls-on-dream-italian-tour/

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Navan RFC Senior & U18.5 Youth players gathered in the Ardboyne Hotel on Friday for the 2025/26 Senior and Youth Awards.

The evening served as a fitting tribute to a season of immense growth and competitive success across our Senior Men’s and Women’s squads, the Under 20 Men, and the Under 18.5 Boys and Girls teams.

Club Honorary Secretary Gerry Sweeney acted as the Master of Ceremonies, guiding a packed room through a night defined by pride, camaraderie, and outstanding individual achievements.

The atmosphere was electric from the start, with live music from “The Sandmen” and a high-energy set from DJ Tracey Hanby ensuring the celebrations continued long after the final trophy was presented.

➡️ Our Women's Winners include:
🏆 1st Women's Team Players Player: Shona White 👏
🏆 2nd Women's Teams Players Player: Martina O’Neill 👏
🏆 3rd Women's Team Players Player: Sarah White
🏆 Young Player of the Year: Katie Kearney (Collected by 1st team captain Anna Bolger) 👏
🏆 Best Newcomer: Lisa O'Neill (Collected by her sister Rosanna O'Neill) 👏
🏆 Most Improved Player of the Year: Anna McGarry 👏

➡️ Our U18.5 Girls Winners include:
🏆 Most Improved Player of the Year: Síne Curley 👏
🏆 Player of the Year: Aisling Caffrey (Collected by Head Coach Paul Beggy) 👏
🏆 Hannah O'Dea Spirit of Rugby Award: Mia Kavanagh 👏

The success of such a large-scale event is down to the dedicated professionals behind the scenes. The club wishes to thank:

🌟Gerry Sweeney for his superb work as MC.
🌟HIGCO Sound and Lighting for the flawless technical setup.
🌟Arosha Dharmasena for capturing the memories of the night through his photography.
🌟The staff of the Ardboyne Hotel for their excellent hospitality.
🌟 The organising committee of Ray Hannon, Sinead Hannon & Nour Khairy 👏

Congratulations to all our winners and to every womens & girls player who wore the Navan jersey this season. We are already looking forward to seeing you all back on the pitch for 2026/27!

🏆Navan RFC Youth Awards 2025/26🏆

Balreask Old was filled with pride and celebration on Saturday afternoon as the club hosted its annual End of Season Youth Awards from u13s to u17 boys & girls.

It was a fantastic opportunity to recognize the individual brilliance, dedication, and sportsmanship shown by our young players across a long and successful campaign.

Club President Eddie Lyons was on hand to present the individual awards to this year’s standout performers.

Our Girls team winners were⬇️

Uner 14 Girls
🇮🇹 Are currently away on tour in Italy hanging out with Anna Caplice 🫶 Their individual player awards will be announced and celebrated at a later date!

Under 16 Girls
🏆Player of the Year: Helena Zucchini
🏆Most Improved Player: Faye Lynch
🏆Players’ Player of the Year: Robyn Wall
🏆Spirit of the Team: Nicole Sweeney

For all Youth award winners see: https://navanrugby.com/navan-rfc-youth-awards-2025-26/

While these awards celebrate individual excellence, the success of the season is a collective effort. Navan RFC wishes to extend its deepest gratitude to every player who wore the jersey this year. 🔵🟡 We are proud of you all.

To our coaches, mentors, and volunteers: thank you for committing your time, energy, and expertise throughout the season. Whether it was on the training pitch, the sidelines during matches, or behind the scenes, your work is the heartbeat of this club.

To the parents and families: thank you for your unwavering support and for ensuring our players make it to Balreask Old & games week in and week out.

Congratulations to all our award winners! We hope you enjoy a well-deserved summer break, and we look forward to welcoming you all back to Navan RFC for another exciting season ahead.

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A huge congratulations to our Meath Chronicle Community & Sports Awards finalists:

🌟 Edwina Connor: Sports Volunteer of the Year 👏
🌟 Navan Ladies Rugby: Outstanding Achievement of the Year under the leadership of Jackie Shiels👏

This celebration will take place on Thursday 21st May in partnership with Specsavers and Bective Stud in the Darnley Lodge Hotel in Athboy.

We are so thrilled & proud to receive these two fine nominations as a result of all the hard work & dedication of our senior women, not just this year but over the last 3 seasons. It's been a phenomenal success & still growing. A huge well done to all involved. 👏🫡

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GIve It A Try Night One ✔️
A huge well done to all girls who turned up last night to Navan RFC for night one of Give It A Try (GIAT)

What a brilliant group of new players from 8-15 years old who came to ! They were helped out by some underage players who are progressing in the Club already! 👏👏👏

The sun was shining and everyone had an amazing evening learning new skills and making new friends. The programme is so important for Navan, and brings new players in for our Minis and Youths Girls Teams - U12's, U14's, U16's and U18.5's 💫

A huge thank you to our coaches! Six of our Senior womens including current Ireland U21 were there to guide on the evening. Our Senior Womens coaches Andy Kiernan and Jackie Shiels and underage coach Nour Khairy and CCRO Graham led the teams through the drills.

Looking forward to seeing you all next Tuesday for Week Two! New players are always welcome, come along on the evening to Balreask Old from 6:45