Towns Cup – A Tournament To Savour
Navan Favourites To make it Three-In-A-Row
It was first established back in 1888 when it went under the moniker of the ‘Leinster Junior Challenge Cup'. Blackrock College P & P, in South Dublin, were the first to win it then, and when it was renamed The Provincial Towns Cup in 1925, Enniscorthy (in County Wexford) won the first two finals against County Kildare and Balbriggan of North Dublin. Navan are the current holders of the Towns Cup and are aiming to achieve a three-in-a-row this year after victories in 2007 and 2008 against Skerries (Dublin) and Tullow (Carlow) respectively.
STRUGGLED
In recent years, club rugby has struggled visibly to compete with higher scale competitions like the Heineken Cup, Magners, the RBS Six Nations and, of course, the Rugby World Cup. With the absence of the Provincial stars from club line-up, teams have struggled with poor attendances and it seems that club rugby faces a somewhat uncertain future.
However, the Provincial Towns Cup remains to be a much-loved competition, and a number of former professional rugby players have go on to play in it after their senior careers have finished. It also received a boost this year with the announcement of Newstalk 106 FM (a National broadcaster in Ireland) as their main sponsor. They have given good coverage to it thus far this year, and had their first live match in Portlaoise where Cill Dara and Portlaoise faced off against each other last Sunday.
If one was to read the comments of the managers and players in relation to playing in this competition, there would be no doubt in anybody’s mind about whether they would be going at full tilt during the course of this prestigious tournament. A number of them have stated that the league would be there priority, which should be the case as their final league position can help determine where their future as a club lies.
FAVOURITES
Yet, once they make their way onto the field, there will be no doubting the loyalty of the players and the sincerity with which they regard the competition. Looking at possible winners, Navan would clearly be favourites having won the last two finals, and will feel they have it within themselves to win it once again. They currently play in the Leinster Senior League Division One, and well clear of the chasing pack having remained unbeaten so far this season.
KNOCK-OUT
This is a knock-out competition though, and there are plenty of other teams who will feel that they can knock the County Meath men off their perch. For example, County Carlow have major history in this competition with 12 victories, while Skerries are also successful having won 11 times as well as losing in three other finals, including that 2007 defeat to Navan.
It will certainly be hoped that, even if Navan do win again, that they will at least be made to fight all the way to the bitter and if each team they face play to their full potential, then that is undoubtedly what they will get.
Navan Rugby Grounds
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