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

Men’s XV News

Leinster League Divison 1B 

Results

25/09/22 Cill Dara 18-12 Longford

02/10/22 Longford 14-20 Wicklow

16/10/22 Mullingar 27-25 Longford

23/10/22 Longford 09-22 Carlow

06/11/22 Tullow 28-10  Longford

13/11/22 Athy 28-12 Longford

27/11/22 Longford 18-14 Dundalk

04/12/22 Longford 10-07 Cill Dara

Upcoming Fixtures

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.

Brothers in Arms

The McGowan brothers, Joe, Owen and Finbarr McGowan began their playing career with Longford RFC at a young 14 years old. In their U17 year the brothers enjoyed an unbeaten season, with the team led by manager George McDermott. The winning run went right up to the Leinster League final where they narrowly missed out by a few points.

Following this, Finbarr represented the Leinster U18 and Ireland U18 club team as well as Leinster U19s. The brothers made their debut for the Longford Senior team at 17 years old before togging out for UCD RFC and Pat’s of Drumcondra during their college years. They returned to the Senior team following college and Joe and Finbarr have played with them ever since. Owen played for Sharjah Wanderers in the UAE for a number of years before returning to the team. Playing together on the same team as triplet brothers is a unique experience - however they are not the only brothers playing together on the Longford team, with Geelans, McHughs and McCormacks also featuring sets of brothers in the squad.

They enjoy the camaraderie and competition of playing together. Joe cites the excellent club facilities at Longford Rugby Club as a sign of all the hard work that goes on behind the scenes at the club - the redevelopment of the club house and function room, the gym and brand new 4G pitch. Indeed, the brothers even had their 21st birthday party in the club function room. They strive to match the work going on behind the scenes in performing and getting results on the pitch with their team mates.

Ladies’ 2022/23 Season. 

Results

09/10/22 Longford 22-05 Arklow

16/10/22 Longford 40-00 Greystones

23/10/22 New Ross 37-07 Longford

6/11/22 Longford 15-19 Wicklow J1

13/11/22 Clontarf 10-00 Longford

20/11/22 Longford 55-07 Gorey

4/12/22 Athy 31-27 Longford

11/12/22 Arklow v Longford Postponed

8/01/23 Greystones 14-23 Longford

Christmas break is well and truly over. Longford ladies kicked off the new year with an away win in Greystones at the weekend.   

Longford Ladies Captain selected for Connacht interpro squad

We are delighted to hear that team captain Maria Kelleher has been selected to join the Connacht rugby ladies extended training squad leading up to the provincial interpro series taking place this month.  We congratulate Maria on the selection and fingers crossed she will be selected to play.

Ladies upcoming fixtures

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

Membership

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.

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

Youth Results 07/01/23

U17 Longford v Midlands Warriors Div 1

U16 Portarlington 24-17 Longford Div 2

U15 Wicklow beat Longford Div 2

U14 Carlow 45-10 Longford Div 2

U13 New Ross 21-17 Longford Div 1A

Youth Match Reports 

U16 report Portarlington 24-10 Longford 

The side returned to Portarlington for a rematch on the grading fixture where Longford failed to register a score. This time we started sprightly with a fine try from Jonathan Groenewald. This was followed by a good try from Ryan Spollen.  Both scores came in the first 10 minutes and there ended the Longford effort.  Portarlington started to get a foothold in the game with strong one up pick and go play and by halftime had levelled the score.  Despite pinpointing what was required the visitors failed to manage the game on the pitch in both defence and attack. Portarlington played barrow but we were too slow to protect the ball in possession and never got to take advantage.

Portarlington scored two more converted tries to finish the game at 24-10.  Longford had 3 new players on the field with Rahman showing some great agility on the wing and Gift Orbrehor making some nice tackles. Better for Longford we’re Ryan Spollen and Joseph Davidson but the poor effort across the park was a big disappointment.  Much improvement required next week.

U13's Match Report

New Ross 21-17 Longford 

New Ross kicked off into Longford with a strong wind behind them and the Longford pack were attacking from the first whistle.  Cian Mc Maguire worked the ball well between the pods, with Harry Clarke, Sean Lavin and Aaron Smyth making some great runs and breaking the line.

Cillian Ryan, Jack Smyth and Pearse Greene making great ground with every pick, they we're unlucky to get a penalty against them inches from the try line.

New Ross fought hard to get the ball back up the pitch with some strong passages of play feeding their centre runners, Donnacha O'Reilly and Adam Mc Cormack making great tackles, but the pressure was too much and New Ross scored the first try of the day.

Following more strong running and missed tackles it wasn't long before New Ross had scored another try.

The Longford lads were determined not to drop the heads, fought back to get what can only be described as a wonderful team try. Tomek Madej, Pearse Greene, Sean Lavin, Ronan Murray all making it difficult for the defense. After going through several phrases and the back line working it well, Cian Maguire feeding back into the forwards the powerful running of Cillian Ryan saw Longford score just before half time, they were unlucky not to convert it. At halftime the score was 14-05 to the hosts.

The second half Odhran Crossan kicked off and started as they meant to go on, with great defensive tackles by Donnacha O'Reilly and Aaron Smyth and lots of hard hits, from Gerry Connaughton, Luke Morgan and Sam Quintiliani. Serious work going on in the Longford team but unfortunately it wasn't enough to stop the big centre running and speedy running by the wingers.

Substitution were made, Leon Clarke came on for Aaron Smyth, Sam Quintiliani, for Adam Mc Cormack, Luke Morgan came into the centre for Cian Mc Guire. Nathaniel Flood came into second row for his first game with Longford for Tomek Madej.

With the wind with Longford in the second half they used it well and used it to create and use our lineout moves. A clean ball from the lineout saw the pack move the ball inside New Rosses half and score a wonderful forwards try.

Longford were starting to believe they could do it and with the clock ticking felt the pressure was on. Attacking again straight away, scrum awarded to Longford on the 5, they weren't going to be stopping taking into contact by the Jack Smyth, secured by the Ronan Murray and Pearse Greene, Aiden Quinn gave a quick ball out the back line to Odhran Crossan, Gerry Connaughton and making it's way to Alex Kilrane who put it over the tryline for Longfords 3 Rd try. Alex also converted it.

Wasn't to be Longfords Day but there is always next week at home to Blessington.

Upcoming Fixtures 14/01/23

U18 Gorey v Longford Div1A

U17 Longford v Athy Div 1

U16 E’Derry v Longford Div 2

U16G Longford v Los Leona’s Div 3 Ph1

U15 Mullingar v Longford Div 2

U14 Longford v Midlands Warriors Div 2

U14G Ravens v Longford ML

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 

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

Mini Rugby 

U12 Blitz Mullingar. 

Longford played two very competitive games against Mullingar and Birr and players excelled in both games. Our team is improving week on week as we ready ourselves for 15 aside next year we had 18 players turn up all played to a very high standard. We had few down with illness and wish them the very best and a full recovery. Thank you to all parents that made the journey and coaches who without this would not be possible. Thanks to mullingar for their hospitality and friendly welcome. I would like to wish all at Longford rugby club a happy and rugby new year.

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.

At Longford Rugby Club, 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

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

Longford U11s after a great Blitz

Boot room

Parents - Why not check out the hugely popular Boot room here at Longford rugby club where we have a self replenishing stock of replacement boots.  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.

Sin Bin

The Sin Bin is open for Sunday Lunch and is available for functions/events outside these times. It is also open on match days. 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