1^st XV let victory slip v Mullingar, Women win big in Greystones, Mini/Youth reports...

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

Men’s XV news

Senior weekend results

Leinster league Div. 1B

Mullingar J1 27-25 Longford J1

Mullingar J2 07-36 Longford J2

Longford’s league season continued to stutter at the weekend as they suffered defeat in an entertaining derby encounter at Shay Murtagh Park.  

Heartbreak for Longford once more, but we do take a valuable losing bonus point and are still waiting to claim out first league win of the season.

Longford with just three points from three games are just six points off the three-way joint leaders at the top of the league table.  While it is not an insurmountable lead, it is vital that the team get a win under their belts ahead of two tricky upcoming away games.

Henry Bryce (Head Coach), Aidan Brady (CEO, Connect Recruitment) and Danny McHugh (Captain) at the official jersey presentation. Connect Recruitment “we know talent when we see it”. 

Longford let victory slip through their fingers in Mullingar thriller

Match report by Mark Quinn

Longford Senior Men’s first XV tasted the most bitter of defeats on Sunday past as they let a commanding and dominant lead slip badly to lose away to local rivals Mullingar.

In calm but bitterly cold conditions, the match took off in typically intense fashion as both sides spared with each other through the early stages. Mullingar took an early 3-0 lead through a penalty to settle their nerves as the game started to simmer. Longford began to assert their dominance through clever and intense rugby – moving Mullingar around the pitch with intent as the game plan clicked into place. Their efforts were rewarded when Benny McManus took the initiative from a series of high intensity rucks to crash over for an important try which was converted by Ryan McHugh to swing the scoreboard 7-3 in Longford’s favour. Longford really began to find their groove with several dominant phases of play that Mullingar were struggling to deal with. The pressure resulted in another penalty slotted home by Ryan McHugh to bring the score 10-3 to Longford.

Longford were playing arguably their best rugby of the season so far with Darren Tuohy, John Geelan and Kieran O’Gorman dominating up front. The backs were playing some super rugby with Ryan McHugh, David Connolly and George McDermott starting to shape the patterns – both in offence and defence.  Mullingar did manage an interception which looked the world like a try but for a superb cross field cover tackle from Joe McGowan to deny Mullingar. Longford were energised by this and took play right back up to the Mullingar line where after another period of pressure from the pack, Benny McManus repeated his earlier feat to barrel through for his second try of the game which was again converted by Ryan McHugh. Score moved to 17-3 as the half time whistle sounded.

Longford were in full control as Captain Danny McHugh rallied the troops at the half-time team talk. Mullingar however were in the tranches and the intensity of their team talk could be felt by all in attendance. There was going to be a reaction.

Longford soaked the early pressure from Mullingar early in the second half and indeed created another opportunity as a result of more solid rugby when John Geelan bagged a well worked forwards try. The scoreboard moved to 22-3 in favour of Longford – the 19 points lead a fair refection of the first 50 minutes of rugby. Longford were in full control and playing with intensity and shape. Then, the winds changed. Instead of pushing on and closing the game out a lack of discipline, composure and game management crept in, and things started to unravel.

Mullingar hit back straight away with a brace of converted tries to bring the scoreboard to 22-17 with 10 minutes left in the game.  Sloppy defence, 2 yellow card sin binning’s and poor decision making had let Mullingar back into the game and crucially given them both momentum & belief.  Calm heads were required and the slowing down of the pace to weather the oncoming storm.  A penalty opportunity came Longford’s way which was expertly kicked under pressure by Ryan McHugh to bring Longford back to a 25-17 lead. This should have been enough to close out the game but alas the ever-darkening mood of the skyline was being reflected by a Mullingar side who could smell an upset.

After a comedy of errors from Longford through the next phase it was Mullingar who struck another blow via a soft try from Longford’s perspective.  Scoreboard now read 25-22 to Longford into the last couple of minutes.  Longford had to somehow retake possession and then close the game out.  If ever “up the jumper rugby” was needed it was now.  However, this was not the script for Mullingar who went for broke in the last play of the game. After a series of phases, they broke through the Longford line and in a remarkable finish took the match with a try in the corner. Final score 27-25 to Mullingar.

This was a very, very difficult defeat for this Longford team who are very close to turning what have been 3 single score, bonus point losses into victories. That can cruelly be the margin of error in sport and no more so than in rugby. All credit to Mullingar who never gave up and ultimately took the match through resilience and defiance against the early momentum of the game. For Longford – the standard of the first 50 minutes is the new benchmark. However, if not translated into an 80-minute performance then what happened today can and will happen again.  

Discipline, composure, and game management are the Doctors Orders for this week as we dust ourselves down and get ready to welcome Carlow next Sunday in what is now a huge match for this team. The win will come.

Match Day Team & Substitutes

1- Padraig O’Farrell 2- Philip Dardis 3- Darren Touhey 4- Brendan McManus 5- David Geelan 6- John Geelan 7- Fred Davis 8- Kieran O’Gorman 9- Ryan McHugh 10- Daniel McHugh 11- Steffan Evans 12- David Connolly 13- Gorge McDermott 14- Joe McGowan 15- Cormac Casey 16- Eoin Reilly 17- Séamus McKeon 18- Ailistair McCormack 19- Finbarr McGowan 20- Henry Bryce

J2 result

Mullingar 07-34 Longford

Longford were full value for money in a brilliant performance in this J2 encounter.  Longford took a 00-17 lead into the break and continued where they left off in the second half, doubling the score while conceding just once.

Scorers-

Tries; Jack Magan x 2, Jimmy Mimnagh x 2, Jack Finnegan x 1 , Cormac McDonagh x 1,  

Conversions; Diarmuid Masterson x 2

Congrats to Diarmuid Masterson, Eoin O’Hara and Rioch Farrell all making their senior debuts

Longford return to action on Sunday next, the 23^{rd of} October at home in round 4 of the Leinster league.  Longford, who are the only team yet to record a win so far in league Div. 1B, take on Co. Carlow RFC.

Kick off in Longford at 3.00pm while the J2 sides kick off at the earlier time of 1.30pm.

LL Div. 1B Results & Fixtures 2022/23

Results

25/09/22 Cill Dara 18-12 Longford

02/10/22 Longford 14-20 Wicklow

16/10/22 Mullingar 27-25 Longford

Upcoming Fixtures

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.

Prop life – A Player profile

Name Padraig O’Farrell 

Stats:

-Playing Position lose head prop

-Height 180cm

-Weight 128Kg

* Age when you first played rugby? Age 14.

* Where you first played rugby? At Longford Rugby Club.

* Coach you remember most from Minis/Youths? Mat Hanley.

* Person you most admire/why? (Club or otherwise) Again, Mat Hanley who kept encouraging me to continue playing rugby!

* Favourite team/club? Ireland Rugby.  The team has made some  fantastic achievements in NZ this year.

* Favourite backs teammate & why? Danny or George as they both just want to be forwards!

* Favourite forwards teammate & why? Benny McManus as he has a great love for the game and just a sound guy!

* Teammate most likely to buy a drink after a game?  Has to be Philly Dardis.

* Do you play any other sports? Running after cattle is a good sport.

* Other Hobby’s? Motor sport/farming.

* Favourite holiday destination? Donegal in good weather.

* Favourite food? Home made Sunday roast .

* Favourite restaurant? Mekong after a Sunday game.

* Favourite place to socialise? Kearneys .

* Advice to younger players? Go to training- always!

Ladies’ 2022/23 Season. 

Match report

Longford 43-00 Greystones

Longford faced Greystone’s for the second game of the season. From kick off both sides worked with some tough tackles.  Longford showed grit to get points on the board early. The girls were solid in the scrums and managed to steal a Greystone’s ball. Some clever passes from the Rachel O’Farrell and Caoimhe Baskett gave possession to Leanne Keegan who made a break allowing Longford to play inside the Greystone’s 22. Furthe passes from Tegan Evans and Megan Banagan put Rebecca O Hara into space to cross for the first try of the game.

Greystones put immense pressure on the Longford side with the home side struggling to gather their defensive line.  However, Leanne Keegan made an unbelievable tackle preventing Greystone’s from making ground and alowing Megan Banahan cover the length of the pitch to score. 10-00 to Longford. Greystones made the home side work hard beflre Rebecca O Hara spotted space and made a great break supported by Rachel O Farrell bringing Longford inside the Greystone’s 5-metre line.  Tara Gilna made extra ground before Leanne Keegan scored under the post brining the score to 17-00.

Tegan gained possession from the back of a scrum and placed a clever kick over the opposition heads followed with a chase. Tegan jumped on the ball over the Greystone’s line and also converted her own try for half time score at 24 -0.

In the second half, a fantastic tackle led to a knock on with Leanne scoring of the scrum.  Longford ended up dropping to 13 players after losing scrum half Emma Dardis to an injury.  Rachel O’Farrell scored again after a big kick and chase from Tegan to score bringing it to 38-00.  Longford began playing more inside the Greystone’s half. Big carries from forwards Dora Ledwith and Jess Stewart brought Longford to the opposition 5-meter line. Quick hands to Rachel Farrell from the back of a ruck led in the final score or the game.

Final score 43 -0. Next outing is an away game to New Ross next week.

Longford welcome all new players and are always seeing to recruit new players.

Longford team: Tara Gilna, Mary Sheridan, Amy Mollay, Amanda Sheridan, Rebeka Stavuse, Dora Ledwith, Emma Dardis, Jess Stewart, Jasmine Smyth, Leanne Keegan, Rachel O Farrell, Megan Banahan, Rebecca O’Hara, Judy Starzynska, Tegan Evans, Caoimhe Baskett.

The upcoming Ladies Leinster league fixtures are as follows

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 Tuesday and Friday 7.30pm.  New players welcome always.

Contact Nuala McGoey  (086) 248 2005

Membership

Membership is due for all 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. 

Your Club Your Country

Irish Rugby’s popular annual draw returns with another list of fantastic prizes. All ticket sales proceeds go directly to the club and thus is the largest fundraising event of the year.  You can buy tickets by clicking here via links on the club social media or by searching for Your Club Your Country on Google and selecting Longford RFC.

Youth News

Match Results 

U16 Arklow 17–00 Longford

U15 E’Derry 17-27 Longford

U14 Longford U14  Tullow

U13 E’Derry U13 26-10 Longford

U16 Match report

Longford under 16s came out second best in a brilliant game between two evenly matched teams in Arklow last Saturday. Longford started very brightly and dominated ground and possession for the first quarter with sterling defence by Tom Murray and Jamie Donohue in the midfield and a number of probing runs by George Burns and Niall Connaughton on the wings. The deserved breakthrough didn't materialise for Longford and both teams reached half time without any break in the deadlock. This was a real tactical arm wrestle with no quarter given on either side and proved a very different game from our last visit to Arklow last February. Continuity play from Longford was really good throughout and it was very encouraging to see such a concerted team effort. A dropped catch by Longford under very wet conditions led to a try to Arklow against the run of play within minutes of the resumption and a penalty for Arklow followed about 5 minutes later with an excellent kick from distance by the Arklow kicker. Longford rallied soon afterwards with strong carries by Joseph Davidson, Conor O Grady, and Harry Byrne but the decisive break wasn't forthcoming. A second try for Arklow followed in the final quarter when they capitalised on a Longford error. They showed great resilience in the final quarter to carry the game back to Arklow and narrowly missed a try on the left wing. Soon afterwards another Longford attack led by Shane McGuigan was thwarted under the posts following persistent pressure and Longford left empty handed. This was a great game of attrition poorly reflected by the final score of 17-0. Longford can take great heart from some excellent phases of play throughout and an overall cohesive team display. Arklow were well drilled and made their scrum advantage count as the game progressed. Both Longford's starters and finishers acquitted themselves well and this display bodes well for the rematch in Longford against the same opposition next month. There is plenty for Lonford to work on before then, but a steady progression is evident among this group.

Longford: Tadgh McCauley, James Cosgrove. Joseph Davidson, Conor O’Grady, Derek Belton, Dan Donohue, Harry Byrne, Daniel Corr, Shane McGuigan, Donnacha Golden, Senan Murphy, Vianney Durand, Tom Murray, Jamie Donohue, Jonathan Groenewald, Darragh Walsh, George Burns, Niall Connaghton.

Under 15 Match Report

Longford Under 15s played Edenderry away in the Leinster league on Saturday.  An opening try and conversion from Conor Clarke laid down the  marker.  A tough physical game ensued, and Edenderry responded with their first try.  Two further Longford tries from Brian Reynolds and Brian Mulvihill left Longford in a comfortable position at half time with the score at 05-17.

Edenderry started the second half with intent and scored two more tries.  A great passage of play from Brian Mulvihill supported by David O Halloran and Conor Clarke led to David Osabuehien scoring his first try in his first game.  A  conversion by Conor Clarke and a penalty gave Longford the win.

The lads played as a team with each player putting his heart into it.  A special mention to new recruits Aidan Kelly, Ben Stewart, David Osabuehien and also Aaron Marshall.  

Next week is a return game at home against Edenderry in Midlands League.

Longford: Aaron Marshall Liam Ruske David Osabuehien Conor Meadows John Waters David O Halloran Diarmuid Nerney, Conor Clarke, Brian Reynolds, Ryan Egan, Aidan Kelly, Ciaran McEvoy Ben Stewart Brian Mulvihill Dominic Egan Adam Madej

U14 Match report

Longford U14 hosted Portlaoise in CPL Park on Friday evening.

Portlaoise came with a very strong side fully loaded and this showed in the first half leaving them out of sight at the halfway point.  However, Longford's second half performance left room for optimism.

The Longford boys worked hard in defence and were rewarded with a try from Brody Corcoran at outside centre finishing the move.

The best action from Longford was kept for last though, with a scrum to Longford on their own 22 metre line. The ball fired out to Longford number 10 Sam Elliott, who led the charge, and, by setting the defence, he released Brody Corcoran who made it to the 5-metre line before being caught. Portlaoise conceded from this break down and Longford finished in style with a weaving run from Michael Gacquin scoring under the posts.

Longford squad 1. Harry Clarke 2. Conor Mahon 3. Evan Bohan 4. John Burke 5. Jay Reynolds 6. William Nolan 7. Cian Costelloe 8. Finn Larkin 9. Michael Gacquin 10. Sam Elliott 11. Pietro Gino 12. Brody Corcoran 13. Ethan Neary 14. Naoise Golden 15. Conor Quinn Kelly, 16.Tadgh Fagan, 17.Eli Mulligan

Youths Fixtures 22/10/22

U16 Longford v Ravens

U15 Longford v E’Derry 

U13 Longford v Tullamore

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 Club 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 – Declan Elliott 086 8125363

Wednesday 7.00-8.15pm

U15 – Aoghan Clarke 087 6727002

Monday and Wednesdays 7.00-8.30pm

U16 – Padraig Murphy 087 6063587

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.

Longford Schools Rugby

St. Mel’s College Junior team, coached by Danny McHugh, played their first game of the season on Wednesday last at Longford Rugby club.  While some of the team play at the club, for most of the lads it was their first taste of competitive match rugby.  That didn’t get in the way of producing a powerful dominant performance against a confident St Ciaran’s team from Kells, who themselves had had a dominant win over Moyne CS just a week earlier.

From the off it was St. Mel’s who took the game to the visitors, dominant in scrums and contact area.  Danny Kelly was first to score early.  Mikey Glennon scored next followed by scores from Finn Neary and Adam McCarthy.  Kelly and McCarthy followed up with a second score each while team captain Senan Murphy tagged on 3 conversions.  Murphy worked well at out-half throughout, working the ball out to the backs and also pinning St. Ciaran’s into the corners with a good kicking game. 

The handling by all players was exceptional, and in particular the beginners who, for a new team on their debut in the Leinster Development league, played with pace, power, accuracy and style.  Well done to Danny, school principal, Mr. Flanagan and all the St. Mel’s squad on getting this group up and running and we look forward to much more from this St. Mel’s team over the course of the year.

Mini Rugby 

Longford v Cavan RFC blitz at Longford Rugby Club.

Our brilliant Minis teams were out in force on Sunday morning against Cavan Rugby Club.  Close on 300 children were in action in all age groups from U6 up to U12’s from 10.00am and everyone had an absolute ball at CPL Park.  We wish to thank Cavan RFC for traveling down to us and we look forward to seeing everyone again at Swellan Park later this year. Congrats to all our players for contesting a fantastic morning’s rugby.  Well, done everyone.

Next week sees the U9 and U10 team’s away to West Offaly Lions for a blitz and all other teams are back training at the club ahead of the next scheduled games.

For further information on all mini’s rugby, please contact your coach or our Mini’s Co-ordinator, Pauline Marlowe on Mob - 087 632 3373.

For all teams not involved in blitz games, 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.

URC Comment

After last week’s cracker of a game against the Sharks at the RDS Leinster took a 00-10 win down in the Sportsground against Connacht.   Munster eventually broke their duck to record a good win against the Bulls while Ulster continue their good form with a 2-point win in a high scoring game in South Africa.  Leinster still on top and remain unbeaten.

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 from Friday’s.  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/

For all Longford RFC club correspondence please contact 

Ph: 087 6063587

Email:  lrfconnects@gmail.com