Enniscorthy produced a real Jekyll and Hyde performance on Saturday against Navan starting really well building up a 12 -3 after just 20 minutes and then trailing 29-15 with 46 minutes on the clock and then finishing strongly to close the gap to 3 points at the final whistle.

Navan did open the scoring after 7 minutes when Enniscorthy conceded a penalty just outside the 22. That was one of Enniscorthy’s problems on the day conceding too many penalties. Navan centre Tom Gavigan slotted the kick.

3 minutes later Enniscorthy produced a sweet move after a tremendous drive by Tony Ryan, Fiacre Hourihane flashed the ball wide and as they moved the ball through the hands at speed Conal Kervick finished it off in the corner with the try. He missed the conversion and it was now 5-3.

7 minutes later Enniscorthy scored their 2nd try after Nick Doyle put a beautiful kick into the corner which was put out by Will Finegan for a S’Cothy line out. Davy Murphy’s accurate throw was whipped off the top by Tomas Stamp and Tony Ryan peeling around from the front drove over for an excellent score and with Kervick adding the conversion. Enniscorthy led 12-3 but Navan bounced back and Enniscorthy conceded the lead in the 24th minute with the home team scoring a fine try after a good move off a scrum the ball was flashed to the left winger Mark Coen who scored in the corner and with Gavigan adding the conversion Navan trailed 12-10. 

Navan did  stray off side which allowed Conal Kervick to knock over a penalty 10 minutes before half time. Enniscorthy went off their feet at ruck time and Gavigan added a penalty to reduce the lead.

Just before half time the home team took the lead a strong driving maul was finished by their number 8 Conor Farrell and with Gavigan adding the conversion Enniscorthy now trailed 20-15. They were very unlucky just before the half time whistle after a fine kick through by Ryhan Whelan almost saw James Doyle get in but an unkind bounce thwarted his opportunity. 

Enniscorthy had lost Graham Barry who got injured in the warm up.  

Marco Byrne replaced Tomas Stamp at half time.

5 minutes in Navan drove forward off a line out and they moved the ball wide to left wing Mark Coen who evaded several tackle attempts to score in the corner. Navan held the visitors at bay but Enniscorthy were struggling to get real rhythm in their play as the home team put up a stubborn resistance.

They did close the gap with 15 minutes remaining after a well worked penalty Timmy Morrissey scored and Ben Kidd added the conversion to close the gap. 27 -22.

Enniscorthy had to defend again and unfortunately a blocked down kick on the line allowed Ben McTaggart an easy score to push them further in front as Gavigan added the conversion.

Enniscorthy did come storming back and really went after the game and the scored their 4th try after terrific pressure James Doyle touched d down and with Ben Kidd adding the conversion there was now just a core between the teams. Enniscorthy continued to hammer the Navan line but alas they simply ran out of time and the home team prevailed to win 32-29.

There is no doubt that Enniscorthy left Navan slightly frustrated knowing that at the end they should have got something out of this match. They did get 2 bonus points which did somewhat make up for the loss.

Their final League match now takes place next Saturday in Alcast Park and the visitors are Malone from Belfast.

Tony Ryan again was outstanding but by and large it was an unusually disjointed performance from a team that had been outstanding on their 3 previous games.

Team: Ori Lasisi ( Isaack Kearney 46mins),Davie Murphy, Scott O’Connor, Tomas Stamp 9 Marco Byrne 40min), Timmy Morrissey, James Doyle, Lee Treacy (Mikey McVeigh 50mins),Tony Ryan (capt), Fiachra Hourihane, Conal Kervick( Ben Kidd 55mins),Ryhan Whelan, Shane Maguire, Nick Doyle, Ivan Jacob, Jack Kelly