Longford RFC Mini/Youth Notes 25/04/2016   25/04/2016

U14's into Final at Donnybrook

It was a bitter sweet weekend with 2 teams in Cup / Plate action. The Under 14's played the Leinster Plate Semi-Final in Mullingar against Premiership side Navan. A nail biting victory see's the U14's travel to the holy grail of Youth Rugby, Donnybrook on Bank Holiday Monday.

The U17's were in the Leinster Plate Final against Mullingar on Saturday. The two sides played each other in a cup final 3 years ago with Mullingar coming out on top. Longford turned the tables in the League this year so it was always going to be a tense game. Mullingar eventually came out ahead on Saturday 24-19 which was a bitter disappointment for a great bunch of lads.

So lots of excitement next weekend with the U14's in the Bowl final against Navan on Saturday in Tullow, Sunday see's the Senior XV in the Leinster Plate Final against Ashbourne and then on Monday all roads lead to Donnybrook for the U14 Plate Final against Wexford Wanderers.

Best of luck to all the teams and any support at any of the games would be appreciated.

Match Reports

Leinster U17 Plate Final Longford U17 19 Mullingar 24

Longford faced our nearest neighbour Mullingar in the Leinster Under 17 Plate final in Athy. The Longford men knew they needed to bring their A game to the contest and the performance more than the result is what stings the most. It’s not a question of effort, the lads left everything on the pitch but the accuracy of the play witnessed against Dundalk deserted us on the big occasion.

Conditions were calm with a light breeze favouring the Westmeath men in the first half. The early exchanges were fast and furious and Longford seemed to have weathered the early attacks but dropped balls allowed Mullingar deep into the 22. Another dropped ball was gathered by the excellent Taylor Daly for Mullingar and he beat a couple of defenders to dot down. The conversion was missed but Mullingar’s tails were up.

Longford responded with some good driving from Jamie McManus and the ever dangerous Shane Farrell before Paddy Duggan broke free to score under the posts, Farrell added the conversion and Longford were back in the game. The lead didn’t last long as the men in black once again spilled the ball to put Mullingar back into a scoring position and they took their opportunity adding the conversion to make it 12 – 7. It got worse. A defensive lapse from a free kick left Longford short on numbers and Mullingar crossed again to make it 19 – 7 with half time approaching.  It was vital that Longford got the next score and this they did.  They moved the ball crisply through the hands before Luke Reilly crossed in the corner, the difficult conversion was missed.

Half time instructions were simple and clear. Protect the ball, keep it alive and get the next score. It didn’t happen. Another spilled ball resulted in a scrum on the edge of the Longford 22 and Mullingar went through a couple of phases before moving the ball wide where Longford were short on numbers. The conversion was missed but the scoreline read double scores, 24 -12 with the Mullingar lads talking about putting 50 points on us.

The next score was a peach with Longford moving the ball right to left, then left to right before Donal Harkin ran a good line to score under the posts. The conversion left just 5 in it with six minutes remaining. Mullingar started playing for territory and trying to wind down the clock but Luke Reilly and Shane Farrell combined to put Longford in good field position. The Mullingar defence stood firm but Longford kept attacking. They got held up with Mullingar having a put in inside their 22. A great strike against the head was surprisingly called back with the Longford backs set to attack. The reset scrum allowed Mullingar clear their lines before the final whistle called proceedings to a halt.

There’s not a lot you can say to a great bunch of lads who have given their all but come out the wrong side of the result. Fair dues to Mullingar, the brought a harder edge and had the man of the match in the shape of Taylor Daly who did damage at the breakdown and cleverly and illegally nullified our advantage at the maul. The disappointment was etched on the faces but they can all be proud of their effort with special mention for forwards Terence Hegarty who robbed a couple of balls at the breakdown, Brian Hanley who made some crucial tackles and Jamie McManus who carried hard all day. Shane Farrell tormented the Mullingar defence and was our most dangerous back while Paddy Duggan fought all the way. Luke Reilly produced a fine performance.

So the season that started on 29th August ends after 19 games. There is some silverware in the cabinet (the Under 17 Midland League) and another Leinster final. There was a great tour to France and we welcomed a number of new players into the squad who have shown great potential and ability.

Thanks to all the coaches, Micheal, Donagh, Jonathan and team manager and medic John. Thanks to those lads who have helped when asked especially Glenn and Colm. Thanks to all our ref’s. Thanks to our catering “staff” especially Niall. Thanks to Kathleen our laundry woman and finally thanks to all the parents for all the work that doesn’t go unnoticed, driving, washing, supporting, fundraising and feeding! We appreciate it.

Squad: Gerard Flynn,Paddy Duggan, Brian Hanley, Terence Hegarty, Robert Lynch, Sean McManus, Gary Burke, Dylan Smith, Eanna Mimnagh, Aidan Sheridan, Luke Reilly, Robert Shaw, Jack Magan, Niall Gray, Ronan McCormack, Ivor Nevin, Jamie McManus, Liam Harte, Shane Farrell, Joe Gill, Owen Croghan, Aaron Griffin, Shane Cox, Ciaran Reilly, Andrew Dillon, Donal Harkin.

Longfords Jamie McManus in action


 












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