Senior Men play first game, Women’s Fixtures are confirmed, Mini/Youths Boot Room and much more…

By Tommy Butler Longford RFC PRO tommylbutler@gmail.com 

Senior Men

Seniors kick of season with a win

Longford Senior Men kicked off their season with a hard fought win versus Mullingar in the Midland League on Sunday.  Next up is Edenderry in CPL Park next Sunday.  This is our last J1 home game until the end of September so it is a good chance for supporters to assess how the squad is shaping up for the coming season.  Kick off is 3 PM.  Training continues Tuesday and Friday at 7.30 PM, with new and returning players particularly welcome.  We would particular welcome players from last year’s U18 panel.  Conor Craig showed yesterday you definitely have what it takes to make the step up to Senior rugby.

Upcoming Fixtures

Sunday September 1st Midland League Longford v Edenderry (Home) KO 15:00

Sunday September 8^th Midland League Tullamore v Longford (Away) KO 15:00

Sunday September 22^nd Leinster League Tullow v Longford (Away) KO 15:00

Sunday September 29^th Leinster League Longford v DLSP (Home) KO 15:00

The full season calendar can be downloaded at: https://bit.ly/2KAwsrr

Longford Women (Warriors)

Longford Women are back in Pre-Season training.  Now is the perfect time to give rugby a go!  All fitness levels, shapes and sizes are welcome.  The Warriors really are an upward curve and got progressively stronger as last season went on.  They are now ready to make an assault on the Division 4 Title and want you to be part.  Training is on Tuesdays and Fridays and 7.30.  Personal Fitness Trainer, Ryan Francis is running Pre-Season training.  Drop in to training for a chat or alternatively give Head Coach Nuala McGoey a ring on 0862482005.

First up is a Blitz in Tullamore on September 7^th.  Longford kick off their Leinster League campaign away to North Meath/Swords on September 29th.

Upcoming Fixtures

Saturday September 7^th Blitz in Tullamore

Sunday September 29^th Leinster League North Meath/Swords v Longford (Away) KO 13:00

Sunday October 6^th Leinster League Longford v Athy (Home) KO 13:00

Sunday October 20^th Leinster League Barnhall v Longford (Away) KO 13:00

Longford Mini/Youths

We hope you had a great Summer and are raring to get back out on the rugby pitch.  Last year was a fantastic season with some quality training, Blitz’s, matches, Cup Runs and trips to the RDS and the Aviva Stadium.  Let’s see if we can top it this year!

This season has already got off to a great start with a sold out Leinster Rugby Camp last month.

Training.

We are finalising coaching details for the upcoming season at the moment.  Some groups have already started training!  We will update training times and coaches once details are confirmed:

Remember new players are welcome at all levels with no prior experience required.  It could be you lining out for Ireland in a coming World Cup!

Minis U7-U12 

Training on Sundays at 10.30 am in CPL Park.  A full season planner can be downloaded at https://bit.ly/33YC6Lt 

U14

U14s continue their pre-season fitness training for the next three Thursday from 7-8.  Normal training resumes on September 12^th from 7-8.30 every Thursday.

U16

U16s resume training this Wednesday at 7.30 PM.

U17

U17s training every Wednesday at 7.30 PM.

U18

The U18s train every Thursday at 7.30 PM.

Minis Registration

The first Minis Training (U7-U12) for Boys and Girls was fantastic yesterday morning. We had over 120 there. New players are warmly welcomed. With the World Cup on the horizon, now is the perfect time for your Mini to start their rugby career.
Just a few things to consider:
Longford RFC run a busy Minis Rugby schedule on Sunday mornings. (Except match weekends. Coaches will confirm weekly)
Age grade eligibility is as per IRFU regulation and based on the child’s age on January 1st each year.
Therefore if your child is 6 years old as of Jan 1st they play as U7 and so on.
The following age groups are catered for with suitably trained coaches at each age group.
U6 (born 2014)
U7 (born 2013)
U8 (born 2012)
U9 (born 2011)
U10 (Born 2010)
U11 (Born 2009)
U12 (born 2008)
Children may not play in an age category younger than that for which they are eligible for.
Registration forms will be available from the Minis & Youths office on Sunday mornings.
All players must be registered to play club blitz games. (Copy of birth required. )
Ensure your registration is completed to be added to the coach text groups.
Fixtures will be advised by the coaches and posted on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter weekly so keep an eye on one of these media groups.
A fixture list can be found on the club website and poster on the Minis and Youths office door at the clubhouse.
Parents- Minis Coordinator required for the coming season. Anyone available to help in this role please message directly or speak to us on Sunday morning.

Club News

Representative Honours

Well done to Shane Mallon who played for the Leinster U18 Club side that won the interprovincials this year.  Shane is pictured below scoring a try versus Munster.

World Cup Competition

The Senior Men's Squad of Longford RFC are running an exciting competition with €500 up for grabs for the winner. The competition is based on Ireland's second match of this year’s Rugby World Cup against the host nation Japan on Saturday September 28^th. The players will be selling scratch cards, one for every second of the game. The lucky person who has the card with the right time matching when the first try is scored will win €500, it is as simple as that! Cards are also available from any of the Senior Playing Squad right up to the match v Japan, if they do not sell out first.

All proceeds go towards funding the Senior Men’s Squad for the coming season. They have done us proud over the last few years, winning the Midland League twice, finishing second/third in Leinster League 1B and reaching the Towns Cup Semi-Final last year. They are aiming to push on this year and your support will help them move forward. The cost of the tickets are a very reasonable €2 each or 3 for €5.

Mini/Youths Boot Room

Attention of all parents.

How many months use do you get out of a new (and very expensive) pair of boots before your child moves up a size and a new (and equally expensive) replacement pair is required?

Aimed particularly at Minis and Youths we have set up a “Boot Room” where you can trade your perfectly good (but outgrown) pair of boots for a larger pair. Boots are not be for sale – the “Boot Room” operates on the basis that you trade in your own pair for another pair. The idea is that the Club will have a self-replenishing supply of boots available to anyone who has a decent (but outgrown) pair which can be traded in return. Just pop into the “Boot Room” with your old pair and see what’s available. We already have a good selection of boots available but to assist in the project we are asking you, the parents, to scour your garage, utility room, footwear box, attic, kit bag or whatever for any outgrown or unloved pairs of boots which you would be willing to donate or trade. We are really only interested in good quality boots without rips or tears and which can be used for playing rugby (ie. no blades).

If you have a pair, you can bring the boots to training and drop them into the Office, or give them to any of the coaches, or bring them to Minis training on Sunday, or leave them at the Club for the attention of Gerry Carthy.

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.