Longford RFC Club News 08/04/2019   11/04/2019

Senior Men in Towns Cup Semi-Final & Possible Promotion to 1A, Women in Plate 1st Round, End of Season Awards, Leinster Schools XV, History of Longford RFC…

By Tommy Butler Longford RFC PRO tommylbutler@gmail.com 

Senior Men

After yesterday’s loss in the Towns Cup Semi-Final a brilliant season is now at an end.  The Senior Men had an exceptionally positive year winning over twenty matches and losing only five.  They finished second in Division 1B, won the Midland League and got as far as the Towns Cup Semi-Final.  We all have our fingers crossed that results in the AIL will work out so that Longford are promoted to Division 1A next Saturday evning.  There are a tremendous number of connotations but the simplest explanation is that if Enniscorthy, Seapoint and Tullamore win, then we go up!

A date will be announced soon for the End of Season Senior Men’s/Women’s Awards and the Annual Derek Belton XV v Derek Bannon XV Memorial Match.

Thank you to our brilliant travelling support all season, you have been the talk of the Leinster League due to your great numbers and commitment over the whole season.

Thank you also to the Longford Leader and Shannonside radio for the very positive coverage.

Longford Women (Warriors)

31/03/19 Paul Cusack Plate 1st Round Suttonians 34 Longford 30

By Nuala McGoey Women’s Head Coach

Longford travelled to Dublin to take on Suttonians for the first round of the Plate on what was a lovely day for a game of rugby. Like last week Longford were very slow starters and found themselves 15 to 0 down very quickly, with some very poor tackling allowing the home side to run in three easy tries.  Longford were again under pressure having a lineout on their own five metre line but a good clearing kick and chase forced a scrum on the half way line. Finally, Longford put some good phases together with forwards and backs working well together; they were now putting Suttonians under pressure. Shauna Cahill took on a great ball with Roisin Shaw in support and was stopped just short of the line.  Hannah Shea then picked up and powered over the line with the conversion being missed. Suttonians came right back up the field and were stopped close to the line and after some sustained pressure they got in for a try which was converted. Suttonians had a lineout on the half way line and worked a lovely move across the field to score right on half time. Half time score; 29-05

Longford knew their season would be over if they didn’t come out fighting. Right from the kick off they were a different team putting severe pressure on the home team forcing them to give away several penalties. Longford were now only a few metres out and with Suttonians now down to 14 for persistent fouls they were determined to get back into the game. The forwards kept it tight and it wasn’t long before Shauna Cahill was over for a great team try which Megan Banahan converted 29 to 12.

Rebecca Duffy supported by Fidelma Fallon and Nicola Farrell made a great break and sucked in the defence.   The ball went out to out half Megan Banahan who broke through a gap to run in for a try under the posts which she converted herself.

Longford were again on the attack with Emma Dardis controlling things from scrum half.  The Longford backs of Rebecca O’Hara, Megan Jobe, Natalie O Reilly and Anita walker were now finding holes in the Suttonians defence. The home team again were giving away penalties under the pressure and having one just in front of the post Longford chose to kick it. Megan Banahan was again on target to bring Longford to within 7 points with 10 minutes left.

Suttonians again worked their way up the field and forced a penalty 5 metres out which they chose to kick to the corner, Longford were now down to 14 after a high tackle. From the line out the home team mauled the ball close to the line before a player broke away to score, which went unconverted.

Longford were not giving up yet and again put some great moves together with Dora Ledwith, Michelle Farrell and Maria Kelliher making ground they were again close to the try line. Irene Murtagh took it on and got in for a try which Megan converted to leave 4 points between the sides with only seconds to play. From the kick off Longford retained possession and tried to get in for a try to win the game at the death but good defence from Suttonians forced a knock on and the referee blew the final whistle. The final score was 34 - 30.

This was a brilliant come back from a game that looked lost at half time. That ends the season for Longford Ladies but they can be very proud of how far they have come this season and their never say die attitude.

The squad has been growing steadily all season with young players coming through.  They can now look forward to a break for the summer knowing that there is a very strong base to start from next season.

The future is certainly bright.

Longford Mini/Youths

A great season is now winding down.  Some teams are still training, so check with your coaches.  The U6-U9s finished training for the season on Sunday and had a final treat of an Easter egg.  The U12s are playing an exhibition match during have time of the Leinster v Glasgow game in the RDS this Saturday.  The U8s&U9s head to Old Belvedere this weekend for an end of season festival.  The U10s played in the Kettle festival on Saturday in Mullingar and the U12s played in the Willows festival in Blackrock.  The U15s are heading out on tour to Midleton this weekend for a rugby festival when they leave on Friday and arrive back on Monday.  The U13s are continuing to train on Thursday 7-8.30 PM and have a Midland Bowl Final v Birr on April 27th v Mullingar.  The U18s plan to keep training with their last match in Tullamore on April 27th before rounding the season off with a barbeque, while the U16s have their last training session this Wednesday.  Finally the U12 & U18 girls play in Virginia on April 20th.  Make sure to put Sunday May 12th in your diary as the Mini/Youth Awards take place in the club starting between 5-6 PM.  

Club News

News

Leinster Programme

Longford RFC featured in the Leinster match programme for the second time this season with a two page spread including a picture of our Shield winning U16s. Leinster drew 27-27 with Benetton on the day.

Schools Team of the Year

Two past Longford Club men where named on the Leinster Schools Team of the Year with James Reynolds who played for CBS Monkstown at No. 13 and James Gilheaney who played for Clongowes at No. 7.  Well done to you both, hopefully we will see you in Longford RFC before too long.

History

We are currently researching the history of Longford RFC and it goes back further than we thought.  Hugh Farrell has being doing some research for us and has found Longford RFC in match reports from 1889 in the Sligo Champion and the Anglo Celtic. It looks like Longford were one of the best teams in the country at that time able to beat Lansdowne who were Leinster Champions of that year and also beat Bective.

Great Food/Events at Longford RFC

The Sin Bin at Longford RFC serves great quality and value food on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday from 12-3 and 12-7 on Saturday and Sunday.  Booking for events such as birthdays, christening, confirmations, communions, weddings and funerals are also available.  For bookings and information phone Kris on 0872872357.

4G All Weather Pitch Rental

Our state of the art floodlight Mel Diffley 4G pitch is available for rental.  It contains shock absorption so that players can play contact sports/fall over without hurting themselves.  It is also perfect for 5 a side soccer.  If you would like to book it phone Damian on 0862757103.











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