Longford RFC Club News 27/01/2020

By Tommy Butler Longford RFC PRO

Senior Men

Longford Seniors Men’s J1 XV scored a crucial bonus point win away to Carlow on Sunday to keep their push for a second place finish in Division 1B and a promotion playoff at seasons end alive.  Today was the battle between third and fourth with Longford now moving three points ahead of fourth placed Carlow and remain five points behind second placed Tullow but have a game in hand over Tullow, after last week’s postponement v Monkstown due to a frozen pitch. So, with all to play for they now move onto the challenge of Cill Dara away next Sunday.  Cill Dara are always tough opponents, especially at home and the J1s will need to carry their good form into the match to come away with a win.  Longford come out on top 43-18 earlier in the season in CPL Park.

The J2s scored a brilliant away win versus third place Carlow and took a big step towards lifting the Division 1B Seconds title.  All they need now is two wins out of their last four games and another pennant will be heading to CPL Park.  However, none of the squad will be taking anything for granted and know that they need to lift their performances even more to earn the title.

Due to the two weeks of postponements preceding this match the end of season fixtures have now been rejigged with the final week of league matches being pushed back to allow Longford to complete their postponed match versus Monkstown.

Fixtures

020220 Leinster League Cill Dara v Longford KO 1/3 J1&J2

090220 Leinster League Longford v Boyne KO 1/3 J1&J2

160220 Leinster League Longford v Monkstown KO 1/3 J1&J2

22/230220 Leinster League Clondalkin v Longford KO 1/3 J1&J2

010320 Provincial Towns Cup Navan v Longford KO 3 J1

League Table Leinster League - Division 1B

League Table Seconds League (J2) - Division 1B

Longford Women (Warriors)

Longford Women had the weekend off with their next match against away on Wanderers on February 16^th.  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

160220 Leinster League Wanderers v Longford KO 1

010320 Leinster League New Ross v Longford KO 1

150320 Leinster League Longford v Blackrock KO 1

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.

Saturday

U16FM v North Meath (Away)

U14M v Gorey (Away)

U14FM v Suttonians (Home)

U12, U11, U8, U7 & U12 Girls Blitz Buccaneers (Away)

U9 & U10 Blitz (Home)

Sunday

U18M v Kilkenny (Home)

U16M v Enniscorthy (Home)

U15M v Boyne (Away)

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

Match Reports

It was another busy weekend for Longford’s Mini/Youth Section with lots of matches both home and away.

Round Up

The U18 Girls took on Carlow and like the Senior Men the day after notched up a great win 15-35, well done!  The U14s lost out 29-21 away to Clane.  They went 29-0 but then fought back with three converted tries but unfortunately could not catch the hosts.  The U16s scored a fantastic win in the first round of the cup away to Arklow 21-25 in a match with a real cup atmosphere. The U13s travelled to Tullamore and came away with a 10-10 draw after an excellent game.  The U12 Boys travelled to Mullingar for a blitz.  They lost out to Tullamore in the early match due to two late tries but learned from it and made up for it against Edenderry in the next match where they put away a physically bigger Edenderry team for a four try win.  Overall a great day was had by all.

Longford U18 Girls in action v Carlow

U16

A pleasing but bruising game against a huge Arklow team. Longford were first on the board with a Padraic Boyle try converted by David Keenan. Jamie Brady increased the lead to 12 before we allowed them in for a 7 pointer. David Keenan kicked a penalty to make it 15 7 at half time.  The other Boyle twin John scored a lovely sniped try with Josh Osabuhien pushing the lead out to 18 points. In fairness to Arklow they bashed away at the defensive line scoring 2 converted tries in the last 7 minutes to leave Longford winners on a 25 21 score line. No injuries but lots of battered and bruised bodies. Next up is Enniscorthy at home in the league on Sunday 2/2.

U15

Longford U15s played Ashbourne at home where the final score was 40-61.  Unfortunately Longford had a few players missing so had a play a 13 a side match. Ashbourne got off to, a flying start with 3 converted tries to lead 21 0 after 10 mins but our lads decided enough was enough and began to turn the game around with pure determination and the belief that they could work together.  They stunned the strong Ashbourne side by scoring 3 converted tries bringing the score level 21 all. The 3rd try came at a cost as it resulted in Longford losing a player for the rest of the game.  The lads had to dig deep and defend but just before half time Ashbourne got through our defence and scored.  The half time score was 21-26. By half time we had another player down and had to make the decision to either fight on with 11 or borrow from Ashbourne and concede the game. The team decided that they wanted to stick together and fight on as a team.  The second half started with 11 v 13 on the pitch.  Longford fought hard and it paid off with another try in the corner for us.   The score was now 26 all.   However, Ashbourne had the advantage and pushed on with 2 more tries. Our lads then hit back again and with great teamwork scored again. The lads kept the pressure on Ashbourne and worked really hard to get us another try and close the gap to only 2 points. To Ashbournes advantage they were able to bring on fresh legs which unfortunately we didn't have and our lads began to run out of steam after working so hard. Ashbourne went on to close the game with 3 more tries bringing the final score 40 61. We played the full second half with only 11 to their 13.  We may have lost on the score board but could not have asked for anything more out of the team today.  They did themselves and their club proud. They all played their hearts out. A special thanks to Olan and Ciaran from the U14s for playing today as without them we would have had to concede the game.

Today's team:

Steven Sheridan, Adam Reen, Shane O'Hara (5 tries), Ronan Corcoran(1 try), James Gilheany(3 conversions), Sam O'Rourke, Martin Bissett (2 conversions), Jude O'Rourke, Leo Temple, Ryan D'Arcy, Sam Waters, Olan Bracken and Ciaran Heffernan.

U14

Clane 29 v 21 Longford, U-14’s Cup

The cliché “a game of two halves” could have been invented for this one. Longford U-14’s travelled to Clane on a blustery Saturday morning for this Cup game and squad spirit was obvious when numerous injured players travelled in support of their 16 fit teammates.

Longford played down the hill but against the wind in the first half. The wind proved a greater advantage for both teams and while Clane took advantage of the elements scoring five tries with two converted, the positional sense and ferocious tackling of Longford’s Patrick Murphy was remarked upon – even by the referee.

Longford regrouped and in the second half, led by their captain, Ciaran Heffernan, they set about the opposition and the hefty deficit with serious focus and grabbed and maintained 75% of possession and territory.

The fightback began when James Grehan touched down just to the left of the posts after a rampaging 25 yard run driving defenders in front of him following a solid multiphase setup by his colleagues in the pack including Oran Lyons, Cathal Byrne and Sean Molihan - all well marshalled by Dylan Vance and James Gilheaney at Halfback.

Back in the pack after excellent outings at out-half, Rian Browne made significant ground and after another series of lung bursting rucks by the forwards, James Gillheany took off from 25 yards evading numerous defenders before driving through the last tacklers to touch down next to the posts.

Longford showed great resolve in defence in the second half. There was more fierce tackling from Jack McWeeney and replacement, Daniel Galvin, in the centres, Conor Mulligan on the wing, Alex Ford and Olan Bracken in the pack and Jamie Dorr at full back with the latter mopping up and running back any kicks that got through.

Such pressure led to space for Diarmuid Glennon on the left wing and he made 30 yards before contact and another 10 after with a ferocious leg drive. The resultant ruck led to a turn-over but Longford fielded the hooked clearance and advanced to within five yards in the left-hand corner. Dylan Vance broke and managed to touch down back over his head while lying on his back and from the angle James Gilheany kicked the most difficult of his three conversations.

All momentum was with Longford by the time the final whistle went and Clane management were mightily relieved and graciously said as much to the Longford players after the match.

The obvious takeaways are that if Longford improve on focus over the entirety of their matches, the results are likely to follow and that, all going well, the new gymnastics club in Longford doesn’t get wind of D. Vance’s talent!

U12 Girls

The U12 Girls played a blitz in Balbriggan scoring two wins and a draw in one of their best performances to date.  They were switched on from the warm up and it showed in their first match v Clane where they displayed super handling and communication in notching up a big win.  Next up was Arklow where another good win was notched up.  Their last match was against an experienced Balbriggan side but Longford stood up to them try for try with a draw a very fair result. The entire squad worked as a unit for all the matches displaying very strong running and tackling and were a great credit to the club. 

EGM of Longford RFC 13/02/2020 at 8.30.

All fully paid up members of Longford RFC are invited to attend an EGM of Longford RFC on the 13/02/2020 at 8.30 PM (Sharp) in the Sin Bin Event Centre, Longford RFC.

Leinster v Saracens

Longford Minis/Youths are organising another trip to watch the boys in blue this time in the blockbuster Champions Cup Quarters Final v Saracens at the Aviva stadium on Saturday April 4^th at 17.45.  300 have already booked with the fourth bus almost full.  Contact Padraig Murphy asap to secure your place or talk to your coaches.

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.