The 2026/27 season is officially underway for the Navan Ladies, with a developing squad taking its first steps into a new campaign.
Following a difficult season last year, the Ladies are approaching this season with renewed determination and a focus on rebuilding the fundamentals, fitness, communication, structure and, most importantly, playing together as a team.
A number of our younger girls are also making the step into senior hockey, bringing fresh energy into the squad and gaining valuable experience alongside the more established senior players.
Their opening fixture against a very strong YMCA side provided a difficult introduction to the season, but the performance and result should not overshadow the effort shown by those younger players. They gave everything against an established opposition and continued competing with their heads held high until the end.
Just one week later, the progress was already beginning to show.
Navan 1–2 Loreto
Goal Scorer: Bronagh
26 September 2026 – Home
What a difference a week can make!
Navan welcomed Loreto for their first home fixture on 26 September and produced a performance that gave the squad plenty to be proud of.
Coach Helen was thrilled with the work rate, intensity and team play on display, with Navan unfortunate to concede the deciding goal in the final quarter.
Navan enjoyed plenty of possession and maintained a high level of attacking pressure throughout the match. Their goal came from a brilliant passage of build-up play involving Sarah and Mags, who found Bronagh in attack. Bronagh eliminated two players before calmly lifting the ball into the back of the net.
It was exactly the type of composed team hockey the Ladies have been working towards.
Young Players Making Their Mark
There were standout performances throughout the squad, particularly from some of the younger players continuing to establish themselves in senior hockey.
Amabel was named Player of the Match after an outstanding performance in midfield, producing impressive carries and causing problems throughout the game.
Phoebe also made a huge impression in her first game in the backs, confidently initiating a number of Navan attacks from defence.
Sophie continues to grow in confidence with every appearance and produced one of her most impressive displays yet, closing down several Loreto attacks and showing exactly why there is so much excitement around the younger players stepping into senior roles.
Building from the Back
One of the most encouraging aspects of the performance was Navan’s confidence in moving the ball around the defence, something the team has been actively working to improve.
Rhona took a commanding role from the end line, distributing to Laura, Chloe, Phoebe and Sophie, with the defensive unit showing patience and confidence when building play from hit-outs.
That composure allowed Navan to create attacks from the back rather than simply forcing the ball forward.
In midfield, Christine, Niamh and Eppie controlled large portions of the game and repeatedly provided opportunities for the forward line.
Nicolene, Mags, Sarah and Danielle all came close to adding to Navan’s tally as the Ladies continued pushing forward.
At the other end, it was very much a game of two Navan keepers, with both producing solid performances between the posts and helping keep the team in contention right until the final whistle.
Loreto eventually found the decisive goal during the fourth quarter to secure the 2–1 result, but there was no shortage of positives for Navan.
Plenty to Build On
The scoreline may say 2–1 to Loreto, but this was a performance that showed just how quickly this developing Navan side can progress when the team works together.
From the younger players growing into their senior roles to the composure shown in defence, control through midfield and opportunities being created up front, there were encouraging signs across the entire pitch.
There is still plenty of hockey ahead and plenty still to learn, but the foundations are being built.
Heads high, Ladies. The performances are growing, the confidence is building, and the season is only getting started. Well done, women! 💙🏑