By Tommy Butler Longford RFC PRO

Senior Men

Leinster League

Longford Senior Men’s Teams take a break from league action until the New Year.  As regards the league there are five matches remaining.  The good news is that all is still to play for.  The J1 team are now most probably competing for second place as Monkstown are currently thirteen points clear of Longford at the top.  However, second place still has the big prize of a play off for promotion to Division 1A.  However, Longford are in an almighty scrap for second place with Carlow and Tullow.  All of Longford’s last five matches now take on knock out rugby status starting on January 12^th with a tough trip to Carlow, one of the sides in the promotion shake up with Longford.  It will take Longford’s best performance of the season so far to come way from Oak Park with a win and the Senior Men will be training hard until then with that match in mind.

As regards the J2 XV, they have had a great season and have won every match to date.  They sit on top, three points clear, with a game in hand over all the other sides.  Carlow are also one of the J2 Men’s main rivals but in this case for honour of being League winners.  So overall the trip to Oak Park is a big one for both sides.

Midland League Final

However, before then Longford have an opportunity to run off the Christmas festivities in the Midland League Final versus Mullingar on December 29^th.  The match takes place as part of Midland League Finals day where all the Midland sides battle it out for silverware.  Longford play in the flagship Chris Glennon Cup Final at 2, while Roscrea and Tullamore compete in the Jimmy Moore Bowl Final at 2.00 too.  It promises to be a great day of Junior rugby and a great trip to make over the Christmas Holidays.  

Provincial Towns Cup Draw

The 2020 Provincial Towns Cup Draw took place in the Aviva Stadium before the Leinster v Northampton Champions Cup game on Saturday.  Captain Benny McManus attended on Longford’s behalf.  Longford drew Navan 2^nd XV away in the first round, which will take place on Sunday March 1^st.  The format has had a positive change this year; unlike in previous years where the cup was broken up by the last few rounds of the Leinster League, the league will this year for the first time be finished before the cup kicks off meaning successive weekends of exciting cup rugby.  We are all hoping that Longford can emulate last year’s great run to the semi-finals and even go on step better in 2020!  The full draw can be seen below.   

Bank of Ireland 2020 Provincial Towns Cup First Round

Edenderry RFC v North Kildare RFC
Roscrea RFC v Balbriggan RFC
Mullingar RFC v Boyne RFC
Cill Dara RFC v Wicklow RFC
Arklow RFC v Skerries RFC
Athy RFC v New Ross RFC
Naas RFC v Tullamore RFC
Enniscorthy RFC v Portlaoise RFC
Navan RFC v Longford RFC
Tullow RFC v Newbridge RFC
Wexford Wanderers RFC v Midland Warriors RFC
Co Carlow FC v Clondalkin RFC

Byes: Ashbourne RFC, Dundalk RFC, Kilkenny RFC and Gorey RFC.

Longford Captain Benny McManus at the PTC Draw

Upcoming Fixtures

Sunday December 29^th Midland League Final v Mullingar (in Roscrea) KO 14:00 J1

Sunday January 12^th Leinster League Carlow v Longford KO 13:00/14:30 J1&J2

Sunday January 19^th Leinster League Longford v Monkstown KO 13:00/14:30 J1&J2

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

League Table Leinster League - Division 1B

 League Table Seconds League (J2) - Division 1B

Longford Women (Warriors)

Longford Women have had a great season so far and sit on top with six wins out of eight.  They are still well placed to battle for promotion with the league splitting into top and bottom conferences in the New Year.  Longford player Mullingar in a useful friendly on Friday night past.  The match was played in very bad weather conditions!

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

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

Leinster League Women’s 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

U18M v Roscrea (Home)

U16FM v Edenderry (Home)

U15M V Edenderry (Home)

U14M v Birr (Home)

U14FM v Birr (Home)

U7-U12 Training

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

Match Reports

Most fixtures fell prey to the weather with only the U13s playing.  They lost the first half by 31 points but won the second half 21 point to nil.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

A very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all our players, coaches, referees, administrators, volunteers, parents and friends.  We are really looking forward to an exciting 2020 on/off the rugby pitch!

Moyne Community School into Two Finals

Best of luck to Moyne Junior and Senior Rugby Teams who both compete in the Leinster Development Cup Shield Finals in the iconic Donnybrook Energia Park this Tuesday December 17^th.  Lots of players from the club feature on both sides.  The Junior match kicks off at 1 with the Senior match at 3.  Well done to our CCRO Dylan Quinn and Mr Prior for preparing and coaching the teams so well. 

Leinster U19 Trials

Congratulations to Seamus McKeon who was invited to take part in trials for the Leinster Clubs U19 team in Maynooth last Wednesday.

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.