Want to try or becoming involved in rugby; here are some answers   10/09/2019

With the Rugby World Cup coming up there is huge interest in rugby and playing the game, so we have put together a few answers to questions we are getting asked a lot.

  • What is the youngest age you can start playing rugby?

We now have an U6 Team which caters for boys and girls.  So, once your boy/girl is 4 they can start their rugby journey.  Who knows they might be lining out for Longford Seniors, Leinster or even Ireland in years to come!  If you would like your boy/girl to give rugby a go, please come down to Mini (U6-U12) Training on Sunday mornings at 10.30 am.  Remember to bring a gum shield.  The full Mini Season Schedule can be downloaded at https://bit.ly/2NxGL1j

Mini/Youth Training Times & Coaches can be found at this link.

  • What is the oldest age that I can start playing rugby?

It is never too late to start.  We welcome new players male and female right through the age groups up to Senior level with all levels of fitness.  Rugby really is a great game for people of all shapes and sizes.  The bigger/taller players generally play in the forwards with the smaller more sprightly players in the backs.  We run underage teams from U6 right through to U18s and welcome players at all levels.  Up to U12s Girls and Boys play together after than we have U13-U18 Boys teams and U14, U16 & U18 Girls Teams.  New players are also welcome at Senior Level.  It helps if you come from a previous sporting back round, but we will give you full training and you will be ready to play before you know it.

If you want to play Rugby please ring;

Niall Moran (Senior Men's) 0879185073

Nuala McGoey (Women's) 0862482005

Maura Meadows (Minis U6-U12) 086-1733626. 

Jimmy Murphy (U13-U18)

  • What gear/equipment do I need?

To start with you will need a pair of rugby boots and a gum shield.  When playing a match the club supply the jerseys with the player looking after their shorts, socks, boots and gum shield.

  • I do not know the rules

When starting a new game it is normal not to know the rules.  Rugby does have some technical rules but the basics are very easy to pick up such as passing the ball backwards and how to score.  Our coaches will help you with anything you do not understand.  You will be surprised how much you pick up after only a few training sessions.

  • Isn’t rugby dangerous?

Believe it or not, once players train regularly hardly any injuries occur. Just like in any other sport, accidents sometimes happen but for the most part all you will suffer is a little bruising.  Our coaches will provide us with proper conditioning programmes for injury prevention, so it shouldn’t be a problem if you do the work.

  • I do not want to play but I would like to get involved.

We welcome volunteers across the whole club.  Some roles only require a few hours a week, where some other roles are more demanding.  For example, all teams need coaches and managers.  We are always looking for new referees, people to help with the administration of the club, maintaining our grounds and much more.  If you have not coached or refereed before don’t worry, we will provide fully training in conjunction with Leinster Rugby and the IRFU.

If you are interested in volunteering, please give our Volunteer Co-ordinator, Derick Turner a ring on 0862559624.

  • What is great about rugby?

Rugby is a brilliant game for all shapes and sizes.  Most players make friendships that last a life time on the rugby field.  A new initiative launched by the club this year means on all underage teams that all players are guaranteed to play for at least 20 minutes.  We want to be competitive but have seen too many players left behind by a win at all cost mentality, so if your son/daughter trains that will definitely get to play. 

Our under age section also organises regular trips to watch Leinster play.  We had over 300 players and families travel to the Aviva Stadium this year to watch Leinster in the Champions Cup.

Rugby also has a very good social aspect.

  • What facilities do you have?

Longford RFC is one of the most progressive rugby clubs in Ireland.  This is reflected in our excellent facilities and constant renewal and addition to these facilities.

Club House

Longford have one of the best Clubhouse Facilities in the country in the form of the Sin Bin Longford, which serves excellent food and drink and is an excellent venue for any function for members and friends of the club.  The clubhouse has been extended to include the Hugh Connolly Youth centre which provides excellent facilities for our Mini/Youth players allow for better Mini/Youth Facilities and a dedicated medical room.

Playing Facilities

Our 3 pitches all are all weather and have full lighting.  The main pitch has recently upgraded match standard floodlights and a covered stand, along with full fencing and covered subs benches and an electronic score board.

We also have just installed a new state of the art 4G all weather training area with shock absorption suitable for contact sports.  The pitch as dedicated to the memory of the last Mel Diffley.

Longford RFC have a Strength and Conditioning Centre for players opened in the memory of former Club Captain, Derek Belton and five men’s dressing rooms, along with a Physio treatment room and separate Referees and Woman’s Changing Rooms.

New Developments

We recently have tarmacked most of our carpark.

We hope to extend the 4G pitch to full match length in the coming years.

  • When/where do the Longford Senior Teams Play?

Both the Senior Men and Senior Women play in the Leinster League.  The Senior Men operate in Division 1B, while the Women play in Division 4.  Games are generally on Sundays on a home and away basis.  A full CPL Park always has a great atmosphere.  You can keep up to date on fixtures and all things Longford RFC by logging on to www.longfordrugby.com  A full Season Planner for the Senior Men’s teams can be downloaded at https://bit.ly/2KAwsrr.











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