By Tommy Butler Longford RFC PRO

Senior Men

Longford Senior Mens J1/J2 sides are back in action on Sunday in CPL Park with two home matches against newly promoted Cill Dara.  Longford have dropped to third in the league after succumbing to Monkstown in Sydney Parade last Sunday in a match where Longford had more than enough chances to come away with four rather only one point.  The league now enters a critical phase for Longford, if they are to mount a challenge for league honours! Longford will therefore be looking to pick up three wins from their November matches.  

Cill Dara are always a tough proposition, with the last match between the pair being in the Provincial Towns Cup Second Round in February, where Longford eventually proved too strong for a Cill Dara side that put it up to Longford for most of the match.  The following Sunday they face a trip to Drogheda to face Boyne, who were relegated from 1A last year and plied their trade in the AIL until a few years ago.  Interestingly, Longford also played Boyne in last season’s Provincial Towns cup, where they ground out an excellent win on a bitterly cold January day in a proverbial game of two halves due to the gale blowing down the pitch.  The final match of November is versus Clondalkin who were also promoted from 2A last season.  Longford have played Clondalkin a lot over the last ten years and it is always an entertaining encounter between the two sides.  Even though based in Dublin Clondalkin bring a country style feel to their play and mentality.

After this Longford will have a good idea of their ambitions for the season, as it marks the half way point of the 19-20 season, with the league due to be completed by the middle of February and before the Provincial Towns Cup kicks off for the first time.  Remember kick offs move half an hour earlier in November to 13:00 for the J2s and 14:30 for the J1s.

Our J2 side are flying at the moment under the Captaincy of Philly Dardis are flying with four wins from four and are four points clear at the top of the league.  They would really also appreciate your support! 

Training continues Tuesday and Friday at 7.30 PM with new and returning players particularly welcome.    

Upcoming Fixtures

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

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

Sunday November 24^th Leinster League Longford v Clondalkin KO 13:00/14:30 J1&J2

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

League Table Division 1B

Longford Women (Warriors)

Longford Women have had a flying start to the season with three wins from three to start the league.  Tullamore have pulled out of the Division, which means there are now ten teams in Division 4.  Each team will now play each other once in the first nine matches.  A further draw will take place after this for the final round of five matches where the league will be split into two groups of five made up of the five top and five bottom teams at this point,  Fixtures for the league have had a rejig with Longford now playing Tallaght at home next weekend instead of having the weekend off!  Longford Women welcome new players throughout the season with all fitness levels, shapes and sizes are welcome.  The Warriors really are on an upward curve and are making 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 November 3^rd Leinster League Longford v Tallaght KO 13:00

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

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

Sunday December 1^st Leinster League Longford v Wanders KO 13:00

League Table Womens Division 4

Longford Mini/Youths

The Longford Mini/Youth Season is now in full swing.  All teams are now back training and playing.  

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

Fixtures

U18M v Mullingar (Home)

U18FM v West Offaly Lions (Home)

U16M v Birr (Away)

U16FM v Mullingar (Away)

U15M v Midland Warriors (Away)

U14M v Edenderry (Away)

U14FM v Mullingar (Away)

(Male=M, Female=FM)

Results

Longford U18M 21 Tullamore 17

Longford U18FM 41 Kilkenny 25

Longford U16M Walkover win v West Offaly Lions

Longford U14M 5 Mullingar 24

Match Reports

U14s in action v Mullingar

U18FM

Longford U18s girls travelled to Kilkenny for a late kick off. The Longford Ladies got straight to work working the ball well among the forwards, Longford got awarded a scrum in Kilkenny’s 22. Olivia Mollaghan picked at the back of the scrum making huge ground, the ball was the nsecured by the pack and a quick ball out the back saw Jenny Purdy score her first of the day.  Aine Cox was unlucky with the conversion. After the restart the Kilkenny ladies moved the ball well and put a lot of pressure on Longford but the Longford Ladies help tight and kept them out until they were awarded a penalty just 5 metres out. Lieke Hoban took it on with great strength getting Kilkenny’s first try. Longford restarted well working the ball well with Amy Molloy and Bronagh Kirk making great ground and Melissa Banahan and Mary Sheridan all ensuring the ball was kept safe.  After a few forward plays by Longford the ball well out through the backs with Aine Cox and Hannah Glennon working well off each other and Aine Cox running in for her first of the day. Kilkenny didn't take it lying down and came back stronger working it up the middle with some big runs using their forwards strength meaning they were soon in for their second try, with no conversion.  Both teams battled it out in the middle of the pitch turning over balls and making hard hitting tackles until half time with the score at the start of the second half 10 apiece.  Longford were under pressure from the kick off and as a result ran the ball from inside their own 22.  Abby Purdy showed quick hands and feet from Abby Purdy before popping to her sister Jenny who ran from half way to score her second try which was unconverted.

Kilkenny answered quickly with 2 tries in but the Longford Ladies never dropped their heads and with strong defence from Rhiannagh Lennon, Caoimhe Bassett and Niamh and a solid performance from Paigh Mc Loughlin, kept Kilkenny out of the Longford half.  Everything then started to come together for Longford, as a set play from a scrum gave Hannah Glennon the opportunity for her try under the posts. Aine Cox converted.

It was then another scrum that again worked in Longford’s favour.  The ball was worked out the back line with Niamh Mc Cawley getting her first try and 5^th for Longford. Aine Cox converted it. The last try was the best of the day.  It again came from a set play but this time a line out.  Olivia Mollaghan took it in the air and offloaded to Tara Gillna who made huge ground to bring Longford inside Kilkenny’s 22.  A well timed pass out the back was made by Aine Cox to Hannah Glennon, who then made a great off load off the ground to Jenny Purdy for her 3rd try of the day, which Aine Cox converted. Making the final score Longford 41 Kilkenny 25.

U13M

Longford U13 v Wilson’s

‘It’s not the size of the dog in the fight- it’s the size of the fight in the dog’!

The U13’s headed to Multyfarnham to take on Wilson’s first years instead of training this week.  From our kick off Wilson’s received the ball, knocked it forward, only to regather and run in a try unchallenged as the Longford lads protested. Our boys learned the harsh lessons of playing to the whistle despite the obvious unpunished handling error by Wilson’s.  However, we regrouped to put some great rucks and phases together with good work from Jamie Donohoe, Ryan Spollen and Daniel Corr in particular, and eventually we had scored two tries from Senan Murphy.  We were counter rucking with good intent that Wilson’s could not get a foothold in the game.

In the second half Wilson’s put on some extremely powerful players to deal with our solid work rate. The mismatch yielded instant results as our lads had to deal with a number of more powerful players now on the pitch. We bounced off the bigger powerful runners and struggled in contact. The lads bravely fought on. We closed down space as quickly as possible to limit their threat. In reality the onerous task confronting our players concentrated the minds and Conor Gallagher, Danny Kelly and James Cosgrove were immense in leading the team through a difficult part of the game.  That work helped slow the ball getting out to the big guys. Tom Murray, Donnacha Golden and Derek Belton carried well and Mel Mulligan was sniping off the back nicely as we continued to take it to Wilson’s. Resulting from all the hard work by the team, Senan Murphy crossed again for his and Longford’s third try. Karl O’Hara threatened every time he got ball in hand and eventually got the gap he was probing for and was away for his first try for the team, our fourth of the night. The work rate took its toll on the lads towards the end. Wilson’s scored a couple more breakaway tries from the imposing replacements as we tired. Only slightly disappointed with the final result but really happy with the fight and heart we brought on the night given the opposition. We were well in control before the introduction of the reinforcement Wilson’s first years and fought hard when they did come on the field. We live to fight another day.  Final score 41-24

U13M v Birr

We returned to CPL park for a league fixture on Saturday against Birr. From the off the superiority of the Birr team was telling. We shipped two breakaway tries in the first half to leave us chasing the game.  We asked the lads to react fast in closing space off the defensive line and it was pleading to see them give that through the game. Unfortunately, we were slow to plug the gaps in the line and all Birr tries came from the space left open.  We worked hard with great tackles from Mel Mulligan, Tom Murray and Conor Gallagher. Good rucking and improvements in work rate from Sean Ginty and Mitch Clarke was notable.  We had to move Senan Murphy from scrum half into No. 8 in an unorthodox change due to lack of pack options on the bench. Mel Mulligan shifted to No. 9 and both lads had good input in the game. The team worked hard in the opposition half for significant periods and on a rare occasion in spreading the ball Jamie Donohoe crossed out on the right for our only try. Senan Murphy’s conversion attempt unfortunately bounced out off the crossbar. Our inability to move the ball wide probably cost us more scoring opportunities and is something we will work hard on in training. The Birr lads power won out on the day. We can take some positives in good rucking, fast line speed and some good tackling from the game. Hopefully we can bring it all together and change our fortunes.

Final Score 5 – 38 Training Wednesday TBC. Check Facebook for update.

Next game v West Offaly Lions on Sunday next.  Longford squad; Sean Ginty, Mitch Clarke, Ryan Spollen, James Cosgrove, Danny Kelly, Jamie Donohoe, Conor Gallagher, Daniel Corr, Senan Murphy, Mel Mulligan, Niall Connaghton, Tom Murray, Donnacha Golden, Karl O’Hara, Harry Byrne, Matthew Kenny, Daniel Fahy, Tomás O’Brien, Darragh Nash, Derek Belton.

Midlands U18s

Best of luck to Sam Burgess, Kevin McDonagh and Seamus McKeon who are part of the Midlands side that play in a Blitz versus on De Le Salle Palmerstown on Tuesday.

Your Club Your Country

The Your Club Your Country Raffle is back! Tickets are available from any #LongfordRFC Club Member now!
The IRFU, in conjunction, with its partners supply the prizes for the draw, ensuring clubs reap the maximum benefit and can raise up to 10,000 euro from the fundraising scheme.
A trip to follow the Ireland team in Australia next summer and packages to Guinness Six Nations clashes in England and France are among this year’s prizes.
Over €657,000 was raised by rugby clubs for rugby clubs in 2018 with the support of Irish Rugby’s valued sponsors and partners. The success of last year’s campaign means that over €5.1 million has now been raised for the club game since ‘Your Club, Your Country’ was first introduced in 2011.
Longford RFC retain 100% of the funds from ‘Your Club, Your Country’ ticket sales to support grassroots rugby communities across the four provinces.
Tickets are now available from any club member. The winners’ draw will take place on Monday, December 2, 2019.

Clothes Swap Fundraiser

An innovative clothes swap fundraiser will take part in Longford RFC on Saturday November 9^th and 7.30 PM.  How it works; €25 Donation and 5 items (clothes, jewellery, handbags) you no longer love and leave with 5 ones that you do!!  You will also get a class of Prosecco on arrival.

Great Food/Events at Longford RFC

The Sin Bin at Longford RFC serves great quality and value food on 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.