by Tommy Butler lrfconnects@gmail.com

Longford Senior Men J2 earn exciting win in friendly v Creggs

On Friday night Longford J2's made the short journey across the Shannon for a friendly game against their Connacht neighbours Creggs. The game was played in slightly damp but otherwise ideal conditions on Creggs' impressive 4G pitch.  A  strong Longford team tore into Creggs with the pack playing very well.  After tries from Simon Moorehead, the impressive Dean Corrigan and a great effort by Peader Kenny, Longford lead 18 to 7 at half time. Both teams brought out the big guns after half time with several 1st team players entering the fray. It was a ding done battle for the rest of the game with Longford leading 26 to 22 and hanging on precariously. After some fantastic defending by Longford and some great play by Brian Hanly, Simon Moorehead and Robbie Shaw; Joe McGowan scored the crucial try to seal the win. Creggs came back again with another score but Longford held on to win 33 to 29. Best for Longford on the day were Dean Corrigan, Liam Brady, Peader Kenny, Brian Hanly and Simon Moorehead. A sterner test awaits next week against local rivals Mullingar away on Sunday.

Away to Mullingar in the Leinster League

Longford Senior men resume Leinster League action this weekend with a mouth watering local derby versus Mullingar away.  The games are always full blooded with big support.  We ask as many of our travelling supporters as possible to make the short journey to support our Senior Men’s teams.  The J2 Men kick off at 1 PM while the J1 men kick off at 2.30 PM.

Men’s Leinster League Fixtures/Results 2021-2022

19/09/2021 Longford 09 Wicklow 14

16/09/2021 Boyne 13 Longford 08

10/10/2021 Longford 17 Cill Dara 15

17/10/2021 Clondalkin 15 Longford 34

31/10/2021 Longford 18 v Carlow 13

07/11/2021 Longford 26 v Tullow 12 CPL Park

28/11/2021 Mullingar v Longford Shay Murtagh Park (1^st XV 2.30 2^nd XV 1.00)

05/12/2021 Wicklow v Longford Ashtown Lane (1^st XV 2.00 2^nd XV 12.30)

12/12/2021 Longford v Boyne CPL Park (1^st XV 2.00 2^nd XV 12.30)

09/01/2021 Cill Dara v Longford Silken Thomas Park (1^st XV 2.30 2^nd XV 1.00)

16/01/2021 Longford v Clondalkin CPL Park (1^st XV 2.30 2^nd XV 1.00)

23/01/2021 Carlow v Longford Oak Park (1^st XV 2.30 2^nd XV 1.00)

06/02/2022 Tullow v Longford Black Gates (1^st XV 3 2^nd XV 1.30)

13/02/2022 Longford v Mullingar CPL Park (1^st XV 3 2^nd XV 1.30)

Senior Women’s Update

Longford Senior Women had the weekend off but now enter their toughest set of fixtures of the season, where they have to hit the road for three games on consecutive weekends versus Naas, Garda and Portlaoise.  Best of luck on the road to all our Senior Women’s team.

 Women’s Leinster League Fixtures 2021-2022

03/10/2021 Longford v Portlaoise (Conceded by Portlaoise)

24/10/2021 Longford 17 v New Ross 19

31/10/2021 Arklow 19 v Longford 07

14/11/2021 Longford 41 v Greystones 0

28/11/2021 Naas v Longford

05/12/2021 Garda/Westmanstown v Longford

12/12/2021 Portlaoise v Longford

16/01/2021 Longford v Naas CPL Park

30/01/2021 New Ross v Longford

06/02/2022 Longford v Arklow CPL Park

20/02/2022 Greystones v Longford

13/03/2022 Longford v Garda/Westmanstown CPL Park

Ireland v Argentina

Ireland concluded a very encouraging November series with an emphatic 53-7 demolition of the Pumas.  Overall, Ireland supporters could not have asked much more from the team, in demolishing two Tier 1 nations in Argentina and Japan and then also beating the All Blacks, all playing a great brand of rugby.  The weekend past saw the score Northern Hemisphere 5 Southern Hemisphere 0.  Therefore, all eyes are going to be on this year’s Six Nations, to see which side comes to the fore and if Ireland can continue their good form in the competition.  England and France also look to be hitting their straps, while Scotland and Wales can never be written off, unfortunately the same cannot be said for the hapless Italy who are likely to easily retain the wooden spoon.  The last time Ireland beat the All Blacks was the culmination of the Joe Schmidt era and all Irish fans are hoping that this time they squad will continue its evolution towards the World Cup and finally get their preparations right so that they are peaking there.  One thing is for sure, that the November series is only the start, with the Six Nations and a three test tour to New Zealand upcoming.  The 2023 World Cup will not hold the same expectation as the last number for Ireland to reach the hallowed ground of the semi-finals because even if they do get our of a group containing South Africa, Scotland and a Pacific Qualifier probably Samoa, they will have to again face the All Blacks or the hosts France in the quarter finals.  The glass is very much more than half full at this stage but how full we will only be able to tell after the end of the tour to New Zealand.

Would you like coaching rugby to be your day job?

Longford RFC are accepting applications for the position for a ‘Club Community Rugby Officer’ for the remainder of the season 2021/ 2022.

Working under the guidance of the area Community Rugby Officer the successful candidate will be responsible for the delivery of rugby programmes in Longford and surrounding areas and will report to the club’s rugby committee.

The role comprises of working with clubs, schools and community groups to deliver tailored rugby programmes and expand the game within the clubs and schools in the area.

For more information, please see the full Job Description attached.

This position is being offered on a part time (30 hours p/w), fixed-term contract basis until end of March 2022 (with a view to extension until Aug 2022)
All applications should be e-mailed to dbbirdy@gmail.com no later than 5pm on Tuesday 30th November 2021

Full Details can be found at: https://bit.ly/3HSMMPU

Longford RFC to host screening Blitz for Midland U16 Squad

The selection process for the Midland U16 squad gets underway this Saturday November 27th in Longford RFC with a new approach to selecting the squad.  Historically, the process has been that the Midlands area requested clubs for a set number of nominations and these players were put forward into a screening process and the squad is picked from the same.  This year, an U15 Midlands Festival will be used to select players to be brough forward for screening and ultimately the squad.  All U15 clubs in the Midlands are invited to participate in a 15-a-side blitz-type format where the emphasis is on participation (not competitive). The of goal of which, is to see as many of your players play over the course of the day to assess them in their natural team environment. From this festival, a select number of players will be invited to a screening process (after Christmas) which will be the final selection point for the Midlands U16 squad who will play in the Shane Horgan Cup v other Leinster areas later in the season.

Matches kick off at 10 am and will finish around 12.30.  If you want to see the stars of the future from the Midlands of Ireland, this is a great opportunity.

RUGBY PLAYERS WANTED! 

Were you born in 2005 and would like to give the greatest team sport in the World a go? Then this post is for you.

Our U17 team is looking to recruit new players to play rugby this season. Many current Provincial/International players only took up rugby in this age group, so it is a great time to get into the game. You can be assured of great coaching and a welcoming team environment that is suitable for all shapes and sizes.

Don't worry about fitness, we will help you get up the required level and if you have not played rugby or much support before. The most important thing is attitude.

If you are interested or know of anyone interested in joining us or have any questions, please contact one of our U17 coaches Tommy O'Hara 0877649793, Ronan Keith 0868871573 or Jimmy Murphy

0862555621.

We ask all our members and friends to share this post and spread the word!

ONLY 10 DAYS LEFT TO BUY YOUR TICKET & SUPPORT LRFC

There is only 10 days left to buy a ticket for the 2021 Your Club Your Country Raffle, all monies raised go straight to #Longford Rugby Club. Please Support Longford RFC!

Tickets are only €10 and can be bought at this link; https://bit.ly/3jihkQl.

Firstly, thanks to the 100 people who are responsible for all our ticket sales so far. We sincerely ask all our members, friends and followers to buy at least 1 ticket each, that will bring us a long way towards achieving all our ticket sales. We have 600 tickets left and only two weeks to sell them. Your support would mean a lot.

Please encourage your friends and family to buy one, who knows you might be packing your bags for New Zealand next Summer? Thank you for your support!

You can see details of the prizes on offer below.

Longford RFC are one of the most progressive clubs in the country. We field teams at all levels Male/Female throughout the age grades from U6 upwards. Building on the great developments in the club over the last number of years, we opened a brand new state of the art fully synthetic 4G pitch at the start of the season that is fully floodlight. Lots more plans are in the pipeline, so help us continue the good work and please buy a ticket!

Simon Community Sleep Out 2021 in partnership with the Longford RFC

The start of October saw the launch of a new partnership between Longford Rugby Club and the Simon Community for three years in the Sin Bin.  It also saw the official launch of the Simon Communities innovative sheltered housing project on Earl Street, which has helped 14 people move out of homelessness

Like all voluntary organisations the Simon Community and Longford RFC have seen a huge drop in fundraising due to Covid restrictions.  However, the costs continued to accumulate and this led to the innovative fundraising partnership between the two organisations.

The first fund raising event is the ‘annual’ Sleep Out event hosted by Longford RFC, where volunteers commit to spending a night under the stars to try and gain some small understanding of the daily struggle a homeless person endures.  Sleepers are asked to raise as much sponsorship as possible, with all funds raised going to the Simon Community locally and Longford RFC.  The event will take place on Friday December 10^th with registration from 9 PM. 

If you would like to participate please contact Noel Greene 087 961 5766 or Gerry Larkin 086 819 5519 for information and sponsorship cards.

Thanks to Shannonside and Kiernan Steel for supporting the event.

Sin Bin

The Sin Bin Event Centre is back open as per Government Guidelines.  Superb food and drink are available across the weekend (Friday to Sunday) and lunch on Wednesday/Thursday.  Christmas nights are now also available for booking.

Phone 087 346 4914 for bookings or email sinbinbookings@outlook.com.  Check out the Sin Bins Facebook page for updates and specials;  www.facebook.com/thesinbinlongford/