Men’s News, Womens News, Mini/Youth News, Meet the President...

By Padraig Murphy Longford RFC PRO Ph: 087 6063587 Email:  lrfconnects@gmail.com

Men’s news

Leinster league Div. 1B fixtures 2022/23

Cill Dara 18 Longford 12

Longfords 2022/23 Leinster league campaign commenced on Sunday last, with an away game to Cill Dara RFC at Silken Thomas Park.  Last season’s corresponding fixture resulted in a 17-25 vital away victory for the Longford men.  Longford start this campaign with new head coach, Henry Bryce at the helm with a new back-room team, and a youthful look to the playing squad.  

Longford, who were without some key players, struck first with a try from Ryan McHugh on 13 minutes, but unfortunately the conversion was wide.  Longford then lost David Geelan to injury early on.  Dara pulled one back before the break in a certain offside intercept and also nailed the conversion to lead 7-5.

Cill Dara extended the lead to 12-5 shortly after the break and 2 penalties thereafter gave them a 18-5 lead.

Longford also lost tighthead prop, Seamus McKeown to injury, in another fine performance.  Kieran O’Gorman scored a second try for Longford and with the conversion the gap narrowed to 6 points.

Both Daniel and Ryan McHugh were prominent in the back line while Podge Farrell, David Mills, David Molloy, and Seamus McKeown were the pick of the backs. 

Allister McCormack was impressive as a sub after a good performance for the seconds earlier.

Packie Molloy in action for Longford

Second XV J2 Result

Cill Dara J2 18 Longford J2 7

LL Div. 1B Results & Fixtures

Results 

25/09/22 Cill Dara 18 Longford 12

Fixtures 

02/10/22 Longford v Wicklow

16/10/22 Mullingar v Longford

23/10/22 Longford v Carlow

06/11/22 Tullow v Longford

13/11/22 Athy v Longford

27/11/22 Longford v Dundalk

04/12/22 Longford v Cill Dara

15/01/23 Wicklow v Longford

22/01/23 Longford v Mullingar

29/01/23 Carlow v Longford

19/02/23 Longford v Tullow

15/03/23 Longford v Athy

26/03/23 Dundalk v Longford

Men’s Senior training continues Tuesday and Friday evenings at 7.30pm.

James Lenehan, CEO WowThanks & Early Table, (jersey sleeve sponsors) With Head coach Henry Bryce and Club President, Donagh McDonnell.

Meet the President 

A chat with Donagh McDonnell,  President, Longford Rugby Club

“It is a huge honour for me to have been asked to become president of Longford rugby club. When I see the people who have gone before me and the fantastic work, they have done for the club I know I have big boots to fill.

I grew up outside Athboy, Co. Meath, and, as there was no underage rugby there at the time, I played mostly hurling, football (badly) ,tennis and handball.

I guess my love affair with rugby began when I went to college to study veterinary. I really enjoyed the physicality ,the complexity and of course the social aspects of the game. I played with UCD, and Bective while in Dublin before moving to work in Boyle co Roscommon.  While there I played with Sligo, managing to get them demoted two divisions in two years. I then spent a year working and playing in New Zealand and a further year in Australia.

When I came home, I worked and played briefly in Kilkenny before a multimillion-euro transfer deal brought me to Longford rugby club in 1996.

It’s hard to believe that I’m here in Longford almost thirty years and I’m quite sure that the rugby club and the great friends I’ve made there over the years have been one of the main reasons I am proud to call Longford home.

I think that everyone in the club is very excited about the season ahead. A huge amount of work is being done by really great people all throughout the club, all the way from the Minis at U6 years, right through the age groups to the senior ladies and men’s teams. It’s really inspiring to go in and see 200 - 300 kids playing every Sunday morning. The coaches and mentors are doing fantastic work.

There has been a huge effort put into the facilities in the club over the last number of years  and we hope now to put huge effort into the competitive teams both at underage and at senior level. This season, we have a new head coach, Henry Bryce, and I think he’s already brought a new energy to a very young and exciting team, building on all the hard work that former coach Glen Baskett put in with the squad. The very slick, experienced management team of Robbie Shaw , Roy Davis and Colm Glynn will be helping out with the firsts team.

The equally formidable team of Matt Hanley , Vinnie Conifrey, and Johnathon Quinn will be managing the seconds. The Ladies team are bound for great success again this season under the able management of Nuala Mc Goey, Declan Smith, and Willie Hall.

The club is always looking for new members and players. Whether it’s your first time to pick up the oval ball or whether you’d just like to come and watch a match everyone is welcome. We have just had our first league match away to Kill Dara and the ladies are yet to start their campaign. The youth’s teams are now settling into their league campaigns and the Minis are in full swing on Sunday mornings. I’d like to take this opportunity to wish the all the teams the very best of luck for the season ahead”.

Ladies’ news

2022/23 Women fixtures

The Ladies Leinster league fixtures are as follows

9/10/22 Longford v Arklow

16/10/22 Longford v Greystones

23/10/22 New Ross v Longford

6/11/22 Longford v Wicklow J1

13/11/22 Clontarf v Longford

20/11/22 Longford v Gorey

4/12/22 Athy v Longford

11/12/22 Arklow v Longford

8/01/23 Greystones v Longford

15/01/23 Longford v New Ross

29/01/23 Wicklow J1 v Longford

5/02/23Longford v Clontarf

12/02/23 Gorey v Longford

26/02/23 Longford v Athy

Training continues every Monday and Friday 7.30pm.  New players welcome always.

Contact Nuala McGoey  (086) 248 2005

Membership

Membership is due for existing members, players, coaches, and those who wish to play for the first time with the club. Firstly, new members should register with the IRFU on the following link.

https://rugbyconnect.irfu.ie/

When prompted, select Leinster as the Provence, and then select Longford Rugby Club as your club. Once complete, note the player number.  You are then directed to https://sportsmanager.ie/sportlomo/users/login to complete the process. Please complete each line correctly or the player application will not go live.

Have a player head photo ready to upload also.

Payment is online and must be made as part of the process.  Players are only approved and available for match selection when full payment and forms are completed. 

Youth News

Match Results 

U18 result Longford 29 Tullamore 69

U17 result Longford 12 Tullamore 40

U16’s Game conceded by Edenderry

U15 result Longford 28 Mullingar 56

U14 result Longford 5 Mullingar 26

U13 result Mullingar 37 Longford 7

Longford U14 girls played their first youths game against Mullingar with coach Mags McKenna 

U17 Match Report 

Longford 12 Tullamore 40

Longford U17's first competitive game of the season was against Tullamore at home on Saturday.  Longford took the game to this Leinster premier division side for the first 15 minutes but were unable to capitalise on this possession. Tullamore wrestled possession and ran the length of the pitch to score the first try against the run of play.  Both sides were reduced to 14 players with Ciaran Heffernan having to be called ashore after an injury. Just before half time the forwards started to get on top again and James Grehan crossed the whitewash to score Longford's 1st competive try of the season. HT score Longford 5 - Tullamore 35.

Longford were more focused in the second half in a more balanced game, with neither team scoring for 20 minutes, due to good defensive work by the backs. Longford were unluck not to score early, with great line breaks by Callem McGee and also some great tactical kicking by Callem and out half Rian Browne.  Both teams went down to 13 a side due to an injury on the Tullamore side and it was Longford were the first to exploit the extra space. Alex Forde gathered the ball after a fingertip knock back by Diarmuid Glennon on Longford's 22. He spotted a gap in the Tullamore defence at midfield, broke through the line to the opposition 22, chased by Tullamore’s winger. The winger caught Alex at the 22, but Olan Bracken showed great support play for Alex to pop the ball up in the tackle for Olan to run in under the sticks. Rian Browne duly converted.  Fitness took a toll towards the end of the game and Tullamore ran in a final try to leave the score Longford 12 Tullamore 40.

Taking some positives from the game, this was the lowest defeat margin that we have had against Tullamore by this group of players. It was great to see the newcomers to the team Cian Gavin and Cathal Ghee playing their first full competitive game, along with returnee, Christopher Trautt, who was very unlucky on the wing, being marked by the pacey Tullamore winger.

A lot of work on defence, communication, and fitness to be done on the training pitch on Tuesday and Thursday of this week as we prepare for our first Leinster League outing to Midland Warriors.

Longford Team: Cathal Ghee, Ciaran Heffernan, Cathal Byrne, Sean Monahan, James Grehan, Cian Gavin, Olan Bracken, Yaw Appiah, Jack Reilly, Rian Browne, Diarmuid Glennon, Alex Forde, Jared Weafer, Callem Mc Gee.

Longford U17s in action

U16 Girls Match report 

Mullingar 47 Longford 17

Longford U16 girls faced a very strong Mullingar side for their very first match this season. On longfords side, we were delighted to have five new players, two of them being spanish students who have never played rugby before!

All five girls played extremely well, and they are a massive addition to the Longford squad.  Longford showd great skill including holding up one of Mullingar’s attempted scores. 

Longford unfortunately came up short with the final score being 45-17. Longford scored three tries on the day, with one converted.  The game showed true promise for these girls and the coaches.  Most of the match day team are part of the U14 girls’ squad that claimed the Leinster title last season.  We hope to achieve similar success once again and with a more training maybe even challenge some teams this season also.

U13's Match Report
Mullingar v Longford U13
Longford travelled to Mullingar on Saturday for the U13’s first Midland league fixture.  Longford were nervous but didn't disappoint. The first half was tight, both teams were definitely up for this match and showing good ball handling and defensive skills.

Longford were unlucky not to score on several occasions in the first half, coughing up penalties driving for the try line.  They won scrums against the head and numerous lineouts.

Unfortunately, slow defence line and quick passing by Mullingar, saw them take the lead at the end of the first half.  Longford were under pressure again early in the second half abut held firm. Mullingar kept the intensity high and ran in 2 tries in quick concession.
Longford did not give up and won a scrum. With some quick passing and fast feet by the backs, we scored under the posts with the conversion successful.
The score didn't reflect the Longford teams’ game in hindsight. We look forward to seeing these young lads play again next week against Roscrea at home.
Training Monday and Wednesday 7pm. New players welcome.

Youths Fixtures 1/10/22

U18 bye

U17 Longford v Midlands Warriors

U16 Longford v Gorey

U15 Longford v Enniscorthy

U14

U13 Longford v Roscrea

U18 Girls

U16 Girls

U14 Girls

Link to Leinster league and Midlands’s area competition fixtures and results can be found on the following link.

https://www.leinsterrugby.ie/domestic-rugby/domestic-fixtures-results/

Youth’s training 

Training for all youths’ rugby teams continues weekly. Longford Rugby field girls only teams training from U14 up to U18’s.

Age group, coach contact details and training schedule as follows:

Girls’ teams

U14 girls - Mags McKenna  087 6309653

Wednesday 7:00-8:15pm

U16 girls – Morag Rowan 087 4135962

Wednesday 7:00-8:15pm

U18 girls – Declan Smyth 085 1375973

Wednesday & and Fridays 7.30pm

Boy’s teams

U13 – Lisa Brady 087 6119960

Monday 7.00-8.45pm

Saturday 10.30-11.30am

U14 – James Rowan 087 9870560

Wednesday 7.00-8.15pm

U15 – Aoghan Clarke 087 6727002

Monday and Wednesdays 7.00-8.30pm

U16 – Padraig Murphy 087 6063587

Tuesdays and Thursdays 6.30-8.30pm

U17 – Freddie Forde 086 1727145

Tuesdays and Thursdays 7.00-8.30pm

U18.5’s – Jimmy Murphy 086 2555621

Thursday 7.30-9.00pm

New players welcome at all age groups. Just turn up with a gumshield.

Please follow club social media for updates on our Instagram & Facebook profiles - Longford RFC

Mini Rugby 

Longford Mini Rugby continues on Sunday mornings, 10.30am at the club.

Players should wear football boots, appropriate clothing, and a gum shield. Blade type boots are not permitted.

We cater for all age grades from U6 up to U12 for both boys and girls with a girls’ team at U12. This group is for girls born 2010 & 2011.

Please note the following if your child was born in/Age Grade/Team contact:

2011 - Age Grade U12's - Pauline Marlowe 087 6323373

2012 - Age Grade U11's – Mark Quinn 085 8642266

2013 - Age Grade U10's – Colm Glynn 087 1520428

2014 - Age Grade U9's – John Healy 0879884240

2015 - Age Grade U8's - TBC

2016 - Age Grade U7's - TBC

2017 - Age Grade U6's* - TBC

2011 & 2012 Age Grade U12 Girls – Gerry Carthy 086 8046857

* Children born in 2018 are welcome to try out training with our U6 Age grade team. They should be able to take instructions as part of the group without taking too much coach time from the group.  

Membership is now due. Returning players registration can be updated on the player portal on this link

https://sportsmanager.ie/sportlomo/users/login?

New players can be registered via this link

https://rugbyconnect.irfu.ie/

For further information please contact Pauline Marlowe, Mini Co-ordinator, Longford RFC.   Mob - 087 632 3373

New coaches are needed at the younger age groups. If you are interested in helping, please contact Pauline Marlowe or Gerry Carthy. 

Please follow club social media for updates on our Instagram & Facebook profiles- Longford RFC

Boot room

Parents - we all know how quick the kids grow up and requirements to have a new pair of boots as they have outgrown the most recent, expensive pair.  Why not check out the hugely popular Boot room here at Longford rugby club where we have a self replenishing stock of replacement boots.  The idea is that you drop in a pair you no longer need and replace it with a pair that fits your child. That way your pair of boots doesn’t go to waste and someone else gets to benefit also, thus also helping someone else save a few Euros. 

If you have any boots that you wish to donate or exchange, please bring them into minis training and drop off the office for the attention of Gerry Carty or Pauline Marlowe who will assist with selecting the replacement pair.  Boots should be clean, laces intact and no missing studs.  No blades will be taken in. 

Please note it is not possible to guarantee there will be a suitable replacement available however we have rarely not had some to choose across a wide range of sizes.

International & URC Comment

Both Ulster and Leinster recorded wins in the second round of fixtures in the URC. Ulster proved too powerful once again putting 55 points on Scatlets away in a solid performance.  Leinster on the other hand looked good from the off also and turned the screw on Benneton with 40 points on the board.

Next Zealand we’re back to normal with a big win against the Wallabies 40-14, not before the Aussies fought back in the latter period of the first half to tee up a potentially big second half.  All Blacks quality took over to bury them and consign last weeks near miss to the bin.

The win left SA with a mountain to climb, needing a 40 points margin over Los Pumas, to claim the championship. That never materialised as the Argies have played some solid rugby throughout the championship and were never going to shy away from battle.

So New Zealand take the rugby championship title and with that, a reprieve for Ian Foster.  Perhaps the best weapon in his armoury is former Ireland coach, Joe Schmidt?

Pitch Rental

Our state-of-the-art 4G artificial surface pitch is available for rent. There are a limited number of slots available during the week and weekends.  The pitch includes a full-size football pitch with full sized goals or can be spilt for reduced numbers of games with reduced size goals.  For details, contact Gerry Larkin on (086) 819 5519.

Sin Bin

The Sin Bin is open for Sunday lunch during matches and is available 7 days a week for events and functions.  Superb food and drink are available across the weekend (Friday to Sunday). 

Phone 087 346 4914 for bookings or email sinbinbookings@outlook.com. 

Check out the Sin Bins Facebook page for update, specials, and updated opening hours;  www.facebook.com/sinbinlongford/