Navan RFC

09/06/2026

URC Final tickets available (Leinster v Bulls)

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05/06/2026

👇WE NEED YOU FOR 2026/27 🏉

Navan RFC is growing and we’re searching for volunteer youth coaches across our boys’ and girls’ sections from U13–U18.5.

You don’t need coaching experience — just:
✅️ A passion for rugby
✅️ A willingness to help young players develop
✅️ Great energy and teamwork

We’ll provide coaching education, mentoring, and support every step of the way.

Help inspire the next generation at Navan RFC.

📞 Call or Text Tommy now on +353 86 025 7396

Meath Daily TV Meath Chronicle Leinster North East Meath Herald

03/06/2026

Navan RFC extends its sincere condolences to the family of James Coen, who passed away peacefully Tues 2nd June.

​James is the brother of club stalwart John and uncle of senior men’s player Mark.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam.
​Funeral details here:

02/06/2026

📻Navan RFC Takes to the Airwaves on LMFM’s Late Lunch Show🎙

The Friday afternoon of the June Bank Holiday weekend brought a fantastic boost for Navan RFC as the club took to the local airwaves. Recently appointed Men’s Head Coach Dan Van Zyl and Club Honorary Secretary Gerry Sweeney dropped into the LMFM Radio studios for an engaging live interview.

The Navan duo joined well-known host Gerry Kelly on the popular Late Lunch Show to discuss an exciting new era at Balreask Old.

Over the course of a wide-ranging and lively discussion, Dan Van Zyl shared insights into his illustrious sporting background and what drew him to the head coach role at Navan. Listeners were treated to stories from his elite playing days as a specialist scrum-half capped for the Springboks, captain of the Springbok A team, and his time playing professional Super Rugby and Currie Cup in South Africa before making his mark in the All-Ireland League (AIL).

Dan also delved into his expansive coaching career in Ireland, which includes his roles as a former Leinster Coach Development Officer, coach to international underage and student sides, and his ongoing work developing the next generation of players as the Director of Rugby at Rugby Academy Ireland.

Club Honorary Secretary Gerry Sweeney spoke passionately about the thriving structures at Navan RFC, emphasizing the pride the club takes in its mini, youth, and rapidly expanding women’s sections.

The conversation wasn’t just limited to local club affairs. Dan and Gerry Kelly shared an in-depth chat regarding the overall state of rugby in Ireland today, charting its phenomenal growth across all tiers, from grassroots community clubs right up to the elite provincial setups and the dizzying heights of the Men’s and Women’s test arenas

The interview provided a perfect platform to welcome Dan to the community and showcase the ambitious, winning mindset being instilled at Balreask Old ahead of the 2026/27 campaign with pre-season beginning in mid-July.

You can listen to the full interview on LMFM website or at https://navanrugby.com/navan-rfc-takes-to-the-airwaves-on-lmfms-late-lunch-show/. A huge thank you to LMFM crew & Gerry Kelly for having the lads and shining a light on grassroots rugby.

Meath Daily TV Meath Herald Meath Chronicle Leinster North East

30/05/2026

Huge congrats Phil 👏🫡

23/05/2026

Congratulations to our senior women's team who have won this year's Meath Chronicle Community & Sports Outstanding Achievement Award🏆

A truly incredible achievement & inspiring journey so far with so much more yet to come.

Congrats to Jackie Shiels, her team of coaches, managers and all the players. Thanks also to all our supporters & sponsors that keep us in the game. 🫶

Navan RFC’s Women’s Rugby section capped off a historic period of growth and on-field dominance by capturing the Outstanding Achievement Award at the prestigious 2026 Meath Chronicle Community & Sports Awards.

22/05/2026

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!

The22Rugby Leinster Women's Rugby Leinster North East U18 Girls Rugby LMFM Meath Daily TV Meath Herald Meath Chronicle IrishRugby Her Sport Her Moves

21/05/2026

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 Irish rugby. Both the Ireland Women’s Under 21 and Under 18 squads 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. The young Irish side took the festival by storm, recording magnificent victories over powerhouse nations England, Scotland, and Italy.

Crucial to that 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 pattern of the U20 Women’s Summer Series from recent years, the tournament evolved into the inaugural U21 Women’s Six Nations Series. The step up in age grade did nothing to slow Ireland’s momentum, as the U21s matched the U18s by executing a flawless “clean sweep” of victories.

Ireland dominated their home-and-away fixtures, powering past Italy, England, and Wales.

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 honor. Walking the hallowed Aviva Stadium turf, Michelle, Alex, and Rosie took in a thunderous standing ovation from the record-breaking crowd.

To be recognized on the international stage in front of over 31,000 fans is a phenomenal achievement. It sends an inspiring message to every young girl togging out in the Minis and Youth sections at Navan RFC: with hard work and dedication, the pathway from Balreask Old to the Aviva Stadium is wide open.

Huge congratulations to Michelle, Alex and Rosie on an unforgettable day!

https://navanrugby.com/navan-rfc-trio-honoured-on-the-pitch-at-aviva-stadium/

Meath Daily TV Meath Chronicle LMFM Leinster Women's Rugby Leinster North East U18 Girls Rugby

21/05/2026

‼️NOTICE OF OUR 97TH AGM‼️

🗓Friday 5th June
🕖 7:30pm
📍 Navan RFC - in Long Bar

All Welcome

For full agenda, nomination forms & more info go to:
https://navanrugby.com/notice-of-97th-annual-general-meeting-of-navan-rfc/

20/05/2026

What a day 🇮🇪🫶