Senior Men

Longford Senior Men recorded a hard fought 15-10 win versus Carlow yesterday to leave them lying second in the league with three matches played courtesy of two wins and a draw away to Tullow.  They face a tough trip this Sunday to Sydney Parade to take on a Monkstown side that have recorded three bonus point wins in their first three starts.  They just got over the challenge of Tullow yesterday with a 36-30 win.  Longford will know that they need to move up a few gear’s to come away from Sydney Parade with the points.  Longford have been playing well since the start of the league and will be focusing on cutting down on unforced errors along with penalties conceded in the week ahead.  Longford came away from Monkstown with the points last year only for Monkstown to turn over Longford in CPL Park where every bounce of the ball seemed to go against the home side.  We are asking for a big traveling support and look forward to seeing you in Dublin on Sunday, 

Training continues Tuesday and Friday at 7.30 PM, with new and returning players particularly welcome.  We would particularly welcome players from last year’s U18 panel.  

Upcoming Fixtures

Sunday October 20^th Leinster League Monkstown v Longford (Away) KO 13:30/15:00 J1&J2

Sunday November 3^rd Leinster League Longford v Cill Dara (Home) KO 13:00/14:30 J1&J2

Sunday November 10^th Leinster League Boyne v Longford (Away) KO 13:00/14:30 J1&J2

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

Leinster League Division 1B Table.

Longford J2s in action v Carlow

Longford Women (Warriors)

Longford Women continue their campaign this Sunday with a trip to Barnhall hoping to continue their great winning start to the season.  With the Rugby World Cup underway 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 a part.  Training is on Tuesdays and Fridays and 7.30.  Drop in to training for a chat or alternatively give Head Coach Nuala McGoey a ring on 0862482005.

Upcoming Fixtures

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

Sunday November 10^th Leinster League Longford v CYM (Home) KO 13:00

Sunday November 17^th Leinster League Suttonians v Longford (Away) KO 13:00

Leinster Women’s League Division 4

Longford Mini/Youths

The Longford Mini/Youth Season is now in full swing.  All teams are now back training and playing.  Don’t forget the Fun Run/Walk taking place this Saturday (more details below).

Training.

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 U6-U12 

Training on Sundays at 10.30 am in CPL Park for both girls and boys.  A full season planner can be downloaded at https://bit.ly/2NxGL1j 

U13 Male

U13s training every Thursday at 6.30 PM.

U14 Male

U14s training every Thursday 7-8.30 PM.

U15 Male

U15s train every Wednesday at 7.30 PM.

U16 Male

U16s train every Wednesday at 7.30 PM.

U17s&18s Male

U17/U18s train every Thursday at 7.30 PM.

U14 Female

U14s train every Sunday morning with an extra day per week TBC.

U16&U18 Female

U16s&U18s train every Tuesday and Friday at 7.30 PM.

Please check our website for fixtures; http://www.longfordrugby.com/clubFixtures/14013/f_i_x_t_u_r_e_s

Minis training from the weekend past

Fixtures

U15 v Carlow (Home)

U13 v West Offaly Lions (Home)

U6-U12 Training

Match Reports

U18

Longford U18's played Carlow today in their first Leinster League game with a mix of 17's and 18's playing together for the first time. The put up a good fight against an experienced Carlow side with tries coming from Ciaran Shannon and Kieran Reen with a conversion from Thomas McDermott. Longford lost 36 to 19 but the score doesn't reflect the game. Great work by everyone involved next week we play Tullamore in CPL park in the Midland league.

U16

Edenderry brought the usual huge team but were met with a really committed defence. We lost Eoin Murtagh to injury in the first half and finished with 14 after Matthew Flynn got a bang with 15 to go. Our tries came from two usual culprits in Eoin Murtagh and Lolu Adejinmi with David Keenan kicking a good conversion. There were clear signs of progression and also the willingness to stick in the fight was pleasing. We are due to play West Offaly at home next weekend. Training this week is on Wednesday. Those lads involved in the U16 final on Thursday are excused.  A tough 15 12 loss today but the worst part was losing Kevin Byrne to a concussion. We wish Kevin all the best for his recovery.

U13

The U13’s were in Edenderry for their first Midland League game. Missing a couple of key player’s, we still fielded a strong enough side including two debutant players, Karl O’Hara on the wing and Conor Gallagher at No. 6.  We started the game showing too much respect to the Edenderry boys and were punished early with a converted try.  The game ebbed and flowed mostly in our favour for the rest of the first half. We were solid in the scrum against a big pack (thanks to Dylan’s work with them at training) and there was good success there to provide many visits inside the 5 m line. James Cosgrove, Daniel Corr and Danny Kelly worked really hard in driving towards the Edenderry line but slow support and no support allowed the opposition turn over possession each time. The clearance kicks were gathered nicely by midfield pairing Tom Murray and Donnacha Golden for us to launch further attack. Unfortunately, we continued to fail to secure our own rucks at key moments and chances were lost. We were also playing tight and didn’t take the ball wide where we could have exposed the creaking Edenderry defence.  At 7-0 at half time we were well in the game after a solid performance if not unhappy not be on the scoreboard.  How we would rue all those missed opportunities!

The second half started with a breakaway try for Edenderry shortly after kick off. As we made changes the balance of the team changed with it and the game shifted in Edenderry’s favour. A couple of run away tries from sloppy defending inside the opposition half put Edenderry out of sight at 27-0. However, the lads kept plugging away. Good work from half backs pairing Senan Murphy and Mel Mulligan kept us going forward throughout the game. Karl O’Hara shifted in to 10 for the last quarter and looked sharp for his first ever rugby game. Conor Gallagher in the pack deserves a mention as he too has only taken up the game only two weeks ago.

In the closing moments as we were again attacking the Edenderry line and we won a couple of penalties. Senan Murphy took the tap and go options bringing play back infield and then quickly shifted the ball back out to Daniel Corr who crashed over on the 15m dash line. It was a well deserved score for the lads in the end and who knows how it would have panned out if we were that alert much earlier. Despite the 27-5 final score this was a game in which we had so much platform and should have been ahead.

Hopefully we learn from it. We dust ourselves off for a home game next week against West Offaly Lions.

Ireland v New Zealand in Longford RFC

The clubhouse will be open from 10.30 am for the Ireland v New Zealand World Cup Quarter Final which kicks off at 11.15 am.  A great value full Irish Breakfast including tea/coffee will be available for €12 and a Kids Breakfast at €7.  If you are not heading to Japan the next best place to watch the match is your local rugby club!

Longford Minis/Youth Fun Run/Walk 

Thanks to everyone who took part or helped out in the Longford Minis Fun Run/Walk on Saturday!

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.