Longford Men’s 1^st XV face into their last match of the season with the tantalising prize of silverware for the victors on offer to round off the season; namely the Provincial Towns Plate.  Longford have become quite the cup specialists in the last few years having been in the Towns Plate final in 2012 and the Town Cup Final in 2013.  Unfortunately, Longford did not come away with the silverware on these two occasions and will be aiming to go one better this year.  Indeed, it also hopefully a case of third time luck in the plate final with Longford having lost out in their other appearance in 1983.  Division 1A team Ashbourne stand between Longford and the Plate and with the match scheduled to take place on Ashbourne’s home patch, Longford will have to be at their best to register a win.  The match was originally meant to take place as a curtain raiser to the Towns Cup Final.  However, due to finalists Enniscorthy now having to play in an AIL Promotion/Relegation Playoff on the same weekend, the Towns Cup Final has not been moved back a week with the Plate Final going ahead on its own with a 3 PM KO.

Although it has not been a vintage league season for the 1^st XV they came into to form towards the end of the season when it mattered most rounding off the league campaign with a big win against Cill Dara and a promotion/relegation play-off v Railway Union.  On the way to the plate final Longford accounted for the Midland Warriors, Newbridge and Tullamore.

Longford’s recent run off form has been built around great performances by the pack, led from the back row by Captain Clifford Richardson and former Captain Derek Farrell at number 8.  The regular front row of Justin Forde, Hubie Connolly and Dylan Quinn have put in hard work all season, while Benny McManus in the second row has continued to lead from the front with an excellent work rate and bally carrying ability, ably assisted by regular partner in the second row Aaron Beirne.

The backline is very ably orchestrate by the half back pairing of Neal Farrell and Colm Glynn, with Shane Rodgers outside Glynn being one of the finds of the season at inside centre.  Ciaran Kennedy and Jimmy Connolly have sharing the responsibility at outside centre, while George McDermott has really grown into the role of full back.  Longford have an excellent panel of back three players including the like of Joe McGowan, Lorcan Connolly & Finbarr McGowan. 

The late run in league and to the Plate Final has definitely been due to a great effort from the whole panel; Coaches Niall Moran, Glenn Blaskett and Ronan Keith will have a difficult job settling on a team for the weekend.

We ask all Club Members, Supporters and Friends to make the trip to the final and get behind the 1^st XV in their last push of the year and one which will hopefully result in the Plate coming back to Longford.

Longford Panel for Plate Final

J Forde, H Connolly, D Quinn, A Beirne, B McManus, C Richardson, A McCormack, D Farrell, N Farrell, C Glynn, L Connolly, S Rodgers, C Kennedy, J McGowan, G McDermott, L Brady, J Duffy, P Kirk, D Kirk, R Keith, D Griffin, F McGowan, D Connolly, K Murray & S McGuinness.

Provincial Towns Plater Roll of Honour Link;

http://www.leinsterrugby.ie/domestic/clubs/provincial_towns_plate.php