Senior Men

Longford Senior Men were back in CPL Park on Sunday where they relented on their good run of form with a loss versus Clondalkin.  The match marks the end of the first phase of the league with Longford hosting Tullow in the return match next Sunday.  Longford are well placed to challenge for promotion but need to keep their good run going to have a chance of catching leaders Monkstown who Longford still have to play at home. Longford and Tullow drew in the first league match of the season in torrential conditions.  Longford will be hoping to go one better against the tough Carlow side and will need to be at their best to turn them over in CPL Park.  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 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

Sunday December 29^th Midland League Final v Mullingar (in Roscrea) KO TBC

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

League Table Leinster League - Division 1B

Longford Women (Warriors)

Longford Women took on Suttonians away from home on Sunday and like their male counterparts, came second, failing to continue their superb winning start to the season.  They are now very well placed to challenge for league honours and promotion.  The league splits into two conferences in January with the stronger sides including Longford playing again to decide the destination of the league title and who gets promoted.  Longford have two home games versus Wanderers and New Ross in December to round out 2019 and would appreciate your support.  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 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

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.

Fixtures

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

24/11/19 Leinster League Women’s Division 4 Suttonians 12 Longford 10

Longford Women’s XV lost their first game in their League campaign, when they travelled to Suttonians last Sunday.  Suttonians applied some early pressure from the kick off, scoring an unconverted try out wide early on. Longford didn’t shy away from the fight presented, and some strong defense from Leanne Keegan and Rebecca O’Hara, they were awarded a penalty, which Megan Banahan launched into the opposition half.  After great carries from Roisin Shaw and Hannah O’Shea, Shauna Cahill got over, for what to be Longford’s only try of the day. Megan Banahan nailed the conversion to put the visitors into the lead.  Suttonians reacted to the concession of that score, and after a prolonged period of pressure their forwards got over for a converted try.  Try as they may, the Longford girls just couldn’t get the final pass away. They created a number of scoring opportunities where the ball just bounced the wrong way for them.  They did close the game to a 2-point game, when Megan Banahan again split the posts with a great strike, after Amanda Sheridan defensively imposed herself on the opposition.  Unfortunately, the clock was not to be the visitor’s friend, and Suttonians crept over the finish line.  A disappointing result for the league leaders, but sometimes in defeat lessons are learned. There were debuts for Amanda Sheridan and Eimear Kelleher, with notable performances from Rebecca O’Hara, Lenanne Keegan, Fidelma Fallon and Roisin Shaw.  A minute’s silence was observed prior to kick off, marking the recent passing of Shane Jobe, brother of Longford player Megan Jobe.

Team; Rebecca O'Hara, Amanda Sheridan, Leanne Keegan, Leona Hoare, Monica Bannon, Megan Banahan, Emma Dardis, Emma McHugh, Fidelma Fallon, Hannah Shea, Rebecca Duffy, Natalie O Reilly, Maria Kelleher, Roisin Shaw, Shauna Cahill, Irene Murtagh, Eimear Kelleher.

Longford now look forward to a home game against Wanderers next Sunday 1st Dec at 1pm hoping to return to winning ways. Training continues every Tuesday and Friday at 7;30 and new players are always welcome.

Longford U13s 27 Portlaoise U13s 41

Longford headed south to take on league leaders Portlaoise in the latest round of the Leinster league.

From the off it was very apparent the gulf in class as the Longford boys struggled to contain the physically imposing Portlaoise team. Within the first minute Longford were punished for missed tackles and the trend continued throughout the game.

Longford were 41-0 down before we managed to register any score. Karl O’Hara at 13, took the ball from deep and jinked off both feet to score a belter of a try out on the right.

Daniel Corr followed up with a brace off good attacking play before Karl O’Hara took flight once again to score in a similar fashion to his first.

The final score again came from Daniel Corr as he ran in to complete his hat-trick. Full time 41-27.

It was a very tough encounter for the boys. On the day the pack misfired and were well off their own best capabilities. Hopefully they learn from it and realize with good application on field they are well capable of competing against any team.

LONGFORD SQUAD; Ryan Spollen, Shane McGuigan, James Cosgrove, Conor Gallagher, Danny Kelly, Derek Belton, Jamie Donohoe, Daniel Corr (3 Tries), Senan Murphy, Donnacha Golden, Niall Connaughton, Tom Murray, Karl O’Hara (2 Tries), Darragh Nash, Harry Byrne, Sean Ginty, Daniel Fahy, Tadgh McCauley, Matthew Kenny, Tomas O’Brien, Conor Grady, Ryan Kiernan.

Training this week on Wednesday at 6.30pm. Next match Away v Roscrea on Saturday.

New members welcome. Ph Padraig 086 2526741 for details.

Tullow U14s 26 Longford U14s 19

The Longford under 14’s made the long journey down to Tullow with some of their more experienced players unavailable for duty, which resulted in a number of positional changes.

The plan was from the start to get the ball wide, and stretch the Tullow defence.  The benefit of this came in the first 2 minutes with Matthew Farrell getting the ball on the wing in the Longford 22, rounding the Tullow defence and sprinting to score under the posts.  Tullow came back at Longford, making piercing runs up the centre and they went across the white wash to even up the game.  The home side scored again in an even first half and concerted the try.  Longford made changes at half time. They took a little time to settle which allowed the home side to score two tries.  Longford heads did not go down unlike in the past. Olan Bracken, after goof play from Conor Mulligan scored his first try in a Longford jersey. Longford were getting back in the game, and flashed the ball out to Matthew Farrell who ran by 2 defenders to score again under the posts. This brought the Longford side within 7 points.  Tullow went on the attack again as the clock ran down and were getting closer to the Longford line, but some quick thinking from Conor Mulligan regaining the ball from a Tullow ruck and kicking it out to secure a losing bonus point in the Leinster League.  The final score was 26 – 19 to Tullow.  The cohort of young Longford men can take great heart in the performance and the journey they have taken in the last 7-8 months.  Having been well beaten in the Plate last season, to getting a League point there this year. As our senior men know, who drew down there some weeks ago, it is hard to come down to Tullow to get any League points.  Training as usual this Thursday with a home midland league game next Saturday against Tullamore.  Longford Panel: Oran Lyons, Olan Bracken, Cathal Byrne, Daniel Galvin, Jack O’Hara, Rian Browne, Alex Forde, James Grehan, Ryan Sheridan, Jack Reilly, Dylan Vance, Conor Mulligan, Christopher Trautt, Jack McWeeney, Diarmuid Glennon, Matthew Farrell, Patrick Murphy, John Sheridan, Jamie Dorr.

Longford Players send forward for Leinster U18 Club Trials

Congratulations to Sam Burgess and Kevin McDonagh who have been sent forward by the Midlands for trials for the Leinster U18 Club trials.  Sam and Kevin have been ever present members of the Longford and Midlands sides over the last number of seasons.  Everyone at Longford wishes them the best of luck in the trials and hope to see them in the blue of Leinster later in the season!

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.