By Tommy Butler Longford RFC PRO

Senior Men

Longford Senior Men had the weekend off.  They welcome Clondalkin to CPL Park on Sunday in what is the final match of Phase 1 of the league. Clondalkin are familiar foes of Longford with the two sides having had many duels over the last decade with honours more or less even between the sides.  Although a true Dublin side, Clondalkin have always had an ethos more akin to a country club and play an aggressive game, which Longford will have to match.  Clondalkin got promoted from 2A last season.  The last meetings between the two sides was in the 17/18 season where Longford won 28-21 in October in CPL Park and came out on top again by one score in the return game in January 20-26.  The matches between the two sides are normally close and entertaining.  The league is entering a crucial phase for Longford and both teams would really appreciate your support.  The Longford J1 XV sit in second with the J2 XV four points clear at the top.  Training continues Tuesday and Friday at 7.30 PM with new and returning players particularly welcome.    

Upcoming Fixtures

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

Sunday December 1^st Leinster League Longford v Tullow KO 12.30/14:30 J1&J2

Sunday December 8^th Leinster League DLSP v Longford KO 14:00 J1

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

League Table Leinster League - Division 1B

Longford Women (Warriors)

Longford Women had their fixture cancelled due to the untimely passing of one of the players brothers.  The President, Board, the club and all the Women’s squad would like to wish Megan Jobe and her family our deepest condolences on the passing of Shane at this difficult time.  The match versus Suttonians has been refixed for this Sunday at 1 PM.

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 24^th Leinster League Suttonians v Longford KO 13:00

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

Sunday December 8^th Leinster League Longford v New Ross KO 13:00

Sunday January 12th Leinster League Blackrock v Longford KO 13:00

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

U16M v Birr (Home)

U14M v Tullow (Away)

U13M v Portlaoise (Away)

U6-U12 v Sligo (Away)

M Male FM Female

Longford cheer Leinster onto the pitch for the Champions Cup encounter with Benetton last week

Match Reports

U18

Longford U18’s were away to traditional rivals Edenderry in what was always going to be a testy match. The match ended with Edenderry winning 24-20 after two red cards and a hat trick of injuries to Longford’s Kola Adejinmi, Sam Burgess and Jonathan Johnson.

Longford played picture perfect rugby for the first 20 minute with great mauls off lineouts, carries and fantastic transition plays from forwards to backs resulting in three tries to no reply by Ultan O’Sullivan, Keiran Reen and Maks Napieralski. Unfortunately, all the conversions were short.

Edenderry fought back and were rewarded with a try before the half time whistle.

The second half resumed with Longford resuming aggressive play and recording their fourth try of the game by Killian Rawle without converting. Edenderry then fought back gaining three tries and two conversions. Longford were left to rue their four missed conversions, as even though it looked like Maks powered over for a try in the closing minutes to win the game, it was judged to have been held up with Edenderry securing a narrow 24-20. Longford have next weekend off and play Tullamore on the weekend of 28/11/2019.

U16

Longford U16s travelled to Carlow on Saturday.  Longford did well in the first half securing a 05-19 half time lead despite conceding a number of penalties. Tries were from Matthew Flynn, Josh Osabuehien and John Boyle with David Keenan converting two.  Josh went over for Longford’s only second half try with Carlow scoring two.  Overall another great victory for the U16s and congratulations to debutants Sam O’Brien, Dan Crossan and Declan Kennedy.

U13

Longford took on Birr at home in the Leinster league on Sunday. In a rematch against a strong Birr team that beat us well at home just 3 weeks ago in the Midlands league, the lads were eager to avenge that defeat.

From the off we could see the Longford lads were up for it. Pressure on Birr receiving the kick-off yielded our first scrum. The forwards packing down and performing well set the tone for the day and it was apparent from here on that we had a distinct advantage at scrum time.

After multiple phases in which Ryan Spollen, Daniel Corr and Danny Kelly were excelling, we registered our first score from Conor Gallagher out on the left. This was no more than Conor deserved, after a string of fine displays by the second row this season. The score remained at 5-0 as the conversion attempt fell short.

From the restart we continued to apply pressure and succeeded in pushing Birr backward. Birr cleared their lines down the pitch a couple of times and countered with some excellent breakdown work of their own in our half.  Unfortunately, before long the scores were level with a try to the right of the posts. Birr took the lead with the conversion just skimming over the crossbar. Score 5-7 to Birr.

The game flowed on with a lot of Longford pressure in the Birr 22. With four separate attempts we were held up over the Birr try line!  This is something for us to work on with the lads as slow support was making it difficult for them to actually ground the ball.

However, we were resetting with a solid scrum each time and our pack were in good form.

Ryan Spollen, Shane McGuigan and James Cosgrove were powerful in the front row supported by Danny Kelly and Conor Gallagher at lock.

Unfortunately, Birr managed to eventually win a penalty to ease the pressure on the stroke of half time.

The second half started with us kicking to Birr and Derek Belton shot up to win the ball in the air.  He was unlucky not to win a penalty as he was coming to ground but managed to get the ball away and we were on the front foot again. Birr counter rucking turned over possession a couple of times but we did likewise and it was not long before we are back up at the Birr 5 m line again. The ball was nicely shifted out to Karl O’Hara who crossed to score his second try of the season.  Again, the conversion was missed leaving scores at 10 points to 7 in Longford’s favour with very little time left on the clock.

From the restart Birr started with intent. Longford remained solid and again, pressed up towards the Birr line, only to allow Birr to turn over possession and launch from deep. After some poor missed tackles, we were scrambling and Derek Belton made a brilliant last ditch tackle into touch at our 22m line just as the final whistle blew.

Full time score Longford 10 Birr 7.

What a remarkable change against opposition who beat Longford comprehensively just 3 weeks ago.

Notable performances today were from team Captain Jamie Donohoe and Derek Belton on the flanks, Ryan Spollen in the front row, Mel Mulligan who kept the ball moving out through the centres and William Mac Entire who was always solid in fullback and dangerous with ball in hand going forward.  Next week we are away to Portlaoise in the Leinster league.

LONGFORD SQUAD; Ryan Spollen, Shane McGuigan, James Cosgrove, Conor Gallagher (1 TRY), Danny Kelly, Derek Belton, Jamie Donohoe, Daniel Corr, Senan Murphy, Mel Mulligan, Mikey Glennon, Tom Murray, Donnacha Golden, Harry Byrne, William Mac Entire, Mitch Clark, Matthew Kenny, Tomas O’Brien, Conor Grady, Darragh Nash, Karl O’Hara (1 TRY), Cian Gray & Niall Connaghton.

Back in the RDS

Longford Minis/Youths continued their fantastic support of the Leinster Rugby Team when they travelled in force to support the Boys in Blue in their Champions Cup First Round match versus Benetton Treviso on Saturday.  Longford players cheered the Leinster Team onto the pitch.  A fantastic day was had be all with further trips planned later in the season.  Another great reason to join Longford RFC!

Your Club Your Country Raffle Tickets!
Thanks to everyone who bought or sold Your Club Your Country Tickets.  All tickets sold/unsold should now be returned to Gerry Carthy.  If you have not returned them to Gerry, please do as soon as possible.  The draw will take place in the Aviva Stadium on Monday December 2^nd.  There are brilliant prizes to be won, best of luck to everyone who bought tickets from the club.  100% of funds raised go to Longford Rugby Club.

Great Food/Events at Longford RFC

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

Longford U9s at training last week