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

Men’s XV news

In an enthralling home derby encounter on Sunday, Longford overcame a stiff challenge from neighbours Mullingar RFC, to earn a bonus point win, avenging the away loss earlier in the season.  On that occasion Longford took a strong lead into the break only for indiscipline to allow Mullingar back into the game.  This time, no quarter was given by either side in the first half, while indiscipline cost both sides in the second half with the visitors down to 12 men at one point.  Longford inflicted punishment on the score board to earn the 4 try bonus point win, following up on the seconds side who also had a big win over the neighbours in the earlier game.

Sunday next Carlow host Longford at Oak Park.  If Longford can maintain momentum and both Cill Dara and Dundalk slip up in their tricky away fixtures to Wicklow and Dundalk respectively, the fight for survival in Div1B gets really intriguing with 3 rounds remaining.

Longford take the spoils in emphatic bonus point win over Mullingar in the League Derby

19/03/2023 Leinster League Division 1N Longford 29 Mullingar 20

By Mark Quinn at Longford Rugby Club

Those in attendance were treated to a pulsating encounter at Longford Rugby Club on Sunday past. This was the big one. For some time, the local derby had been on the horizon as a potentially pivotal fixture in Longford’s frustrating league season to date. A win was simply non-negotiable if Longford’s recent resurgence in form was to continue to gather pace and the league comeback was to continue. A mixture of understandable nerves and quiet confidence was in the air as the home team took the field to lock horns with the old enemy. The scene was set, the talking over – it was time to put everything on the line and make recent progress count.

Longford got off to a great start and set the early tempo. After a high intensity start to the game, Longford were awarded a penalty on 4 minutes that was calmly slotted over by Ryan McHugh. An early 3-0 lead settled the nerves and for the next 10 minutes it was all Longford as they launched attack after attack. However, just as Longford should have been making their early dominance count, they were punished by the referee for what was deemed an intentional infringement by the in-form Alistair McCormack who was then yellow carded. Just as the momentum was building, the home team were then on the back foot and having to defend against a dynamic Mullingar team who intended making their advantage count.

This they did over the next phase of the game. A penalty was landed on 22 mins to balance the score board at 3-3. However, there was worse to come from the home side’s perspective after a comedy of errors in Longford’s backline allowed Mullingar in for a very cheap try under the Longford posts on 24 minutes which was converted to give Mullingar a 10-3 lead. This was the pivotal moment of the game – could Longford bounce back after giving so much momentum to the visitors. The answer was an emphatic yes. Longford for awarded a lineout on the stroke of half time close to the Mullingar line. After securing clean possession, a pre rehearsed wave of carries were launched by the Longford loose forwards. It was on the second wave of attacks that the ultimate Player of the Match, Tom Gilheany, crashed over for an outstanding try that was a deserved reward for the home sides first half efforts. The conversion was missed to leave the scoreboard 10-8 at halftime in the visitors’ favour.

Alistair McCormack secures possession for Longford during Sunday’s thriller against Mullingar (pic – Niall Gannon)

As both the teams and those lucky enough to be in attendance gathered their breaths at halftime, no one knew that even more drama was set to explode in a second half that will live long in the memory. It did not start to plan for the home side as Mullingar landed the first blow on 44 minutes after a dominant scrum enabled their back row to capitalise and score a try on the back of a scrum advantage. The conversion was missed, but Mullingar had made the best possible start to the second half and swung the scoreboard 15-8 in their favour. What happened next however was a run of events that even the most experienced scribe would have struggled to keep up with.

On 47 minutes, both sides were simultaneously punished with yellow cards with Ryan McHugh the unlucky victim for the home side. Longford however pushed on and made an incisive break that was broken down illegally by the visitors who received another yellow card on 50 minutes. Longford all of a sudden had a 1-man advantage and went for the jugular. The hugely talented Cormac Casey at full back made a great break only to be halted by a dangerous high tackle which was punished by yet another yellow card against Mullingar. Longford now had a 2-man advantage and it was time to make it count. Longford secured a lineout from the ensuing penalty deep into the Mullingar half. A flawless lineout seen Kieran O’Gorman rise highest at the back which set a textbook driving maul at the Mullingar line. The ever-dependable Mark McHugh drove over for his second try in consecutive matches which was sweetly converted by Danny McHugh. Score 15-15.

Mullingar were rattled and the home side could smell blood. They needed to keep the pressure on and this they did via another try on 58 minutes when Player/Coach Henry Bryce took matters into his own hands and launched a typically aggressive solo effort that seen him break the attempts of 3 Mullingar tacklers. He touched down under the posts to give Danny McHugh a straightforward conversion which he took sweetly. Score was now 22-15 to Longford.

Longford were now dominating every aspect of the game and producing arguably some of their best rugby of the season with wave after wave of excellent running rugby. Up front Podge Farrell, Liam Brady and David Geelan were putting in huge shifts especially at the set piece. Packie Molloy added real dynamism after replacing the unfortunate Benny McManus who had to retire earlier in the game having himself put in his signature physical shift at the coal face. In the backs there were big displays from Finbarr McGowan, Danny McHugh and George McDermott who was in scintillating form throughout.

But it was Player of the Match, flanker Tom Gilheany who made the next impact. After a superb read on 70 minutes, he intercepted a Mullingar attack and at full tilt ran the length of the field. It looked for all in attendance that he had made it only to be caught at the very last metre under the Mullingar posts. There were 2 supporting backs on his shoulder who recycled the ball but were desperately unlucky to knock on over the Mullingar line. Longford were relentless and were in no mood to show mercy to their shell-shocked opponents. George McDermott made a superb break on 73 minutes and was also unlucky to be caught. However, Longford were aggressive in their support and recycled for the resurgent David Geelen to carry hard over the line to score Longford’s fourth, and bonus point try. Ryan McHugh landed the sweetest of conversions to swing matters 29-15 in favour of the Men in Black.

Indeed, Longford looked to have bagged yet another try on 75 minutes when Diarmuid Masterson made a great effort and seemed to have touched down in the corner. The referee initially agreed and raised his arm to signal the awarding of the try until an intervention by the linesman resulted in the score being cancelled. In fairness to Mullingar they never gave up and indeed scored the games closing try in the final play of the game which was not converted. The game ended 29-20 in favour of Longford – a huge result landed on the back of a huge performance by every player who took the field.

Next up Longford RFC travel to Carlow RFC next Sunday in what is always a tough fixture. However, this side have nothing to fear given their recent performances. Confidence is back, the systems are really starting to take shape and the talent is evident for all to see. Together, they have everything to play for.

1 – P Farrell 2–  M McHugh 3 – L Brady 4 D Geelan 5 B McManus 6 A McCormack 7 T Gilheany 8 K O’Gorman 9 F McGowan 10 R McHugh 11 D McHugh 12 C Glynn 13 G McDermott 14 D Connolly 15 C Casey 16 R Collum 17 S McKeown 18 P Molloy 19 H Bryce 20 D Masterson

Leinster League Division 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

15/01/23 Wicklow 14-13 Longford

22/01/23 Longford 29-20 Mullingar

Upcoming Fixtures

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.

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

15/01/23 Longford 12-17 New Ross

Ladies upcoming fixtures

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 Rugby, sponsored by MLC, Midlands Language Centre. 

Weekend Results 21/01/23

U18 Naas 31-05 Longford Div 1A

U18G Greystones v Longford Div 4 Game Off

U17 Portlaoise v Longford Div 1

U16G Longford 07-17 Navan Div 4

U16 Clondalkin 10-05 Longford Div 2

U15 Longford 17-05 Edenderry Div 2

U14G Newbridge v Longford L2 North conceded.

Upcoming fixtures 28/01/23 

U18G Longford v Wolves Div 4

U17 Midlands Warriors v Longford Div 1

U16G Roscrea v Longford

U16 Longford v Mullingar ML

U14G Longford v Ardee L2 North

U13 Longford v Athy Cup game

Youth Match reports 

U16 Boys Clondalkin 10-05 Longford 

On a very soggy surface both sides slogged it out for 25 mins before Clondalkin broke the resolute Longford defence for the first try.  Conditions were that bad, that remaining on one’s feet was in itself a tricky task however the performance from Longford was exactly what we were missing in the last two fixtures.

The hosts tagged on a second try after the break  Converting was an impossible task also on the sponge like surface so both sides had to plug away in turns.

The outrageously high penalty count against the visitors was inexplicable .  Longford pressed for the line and Clondalkin conceded three successive penalties on the 5-metre line.  Players were warned for persistent penalties conceded but remained on the pitch where a card was warranted.  Two further offences were committed in the following phase however neither of these offences were sanctioned by the referee, but Longford fought bravely to hit back with a well-deserved score from Darragh Walsh.

Try as they might, Longford just couldn’t get over the line thereafter. On another day, this team performance had enough to win most matches. We will have to opportunity to play each of the last two teams again at home over the coming weeks to set the record straight on home ground.

Best for Longford in a rounded team performance was Ryan Spollen, Conor O’Grady, and George Burns.  Rahman Aro-Lambo was a menace on the wing, but we didn’t get enough ball out to him. Darragh Walsh, Tom Murray and Senan Murphy were excellent defensively on difficult conditions.

The team soon put the loss out of their minds as they headed on to the Aviva Stadium for Leinster’s final Champions Cup pool game against French side Racing 92.  Hopefully the bonus point performance resonates with the troop’s, and they repeat the commitment displayed in Clondalkin at our next game.

Longford Squad: Ryan Spollen James Cosgrove, Tadgh McCauley, Conor O’Grady, Danny Kelly, Harry Byrne, Jamie Donohue, Daniel Corr, Donnacha Golden, Senan Murphy, Tom Murray, Jack Brogan, George Burns, Rahman Aro-Lambo, Darragh Walsh, Dan Donohoe, Gift Orbrehor, Niall Connaughton.

U15 Boys Longford v Edenderry 

Longford U15s hosted Edenderry on Saturday last at the club.

After 20 tense minutes, Longford had possession and drove through the middle giving them good field position just outside the visitors 20 metre line. More strong play set up Finbarr Thomas, who went over for the the first score of the game.

The battle between the two sides continued and Longford started to show a little more as the half progressed, leading to some good plays. The sustained pressure on the Edenderry 20 metre line saw Dylan Ledwith avoiding the defence and going over for the score. The conversion just missing but Longford stretched their lead to 12-0.

The visitors pushed for the Longford line with some good defensive work required by the Longford lads. However, the visitors continued to attack to go over in the corner for their first points. The conversion was missed at half time with Longford 12-5 ahead.

The second half started with both sides looking for the gaps for the first 15 minutes. Longford managed to raise their game and break the Edenderry defence with a couple of great runs from the forwards.  The resulting pressure was rewarded when Conor Clarke took the ball from the back of the ruck and rounded the Edenderry defence to go over for Longford’s third try, putting Longford in a deserved lead of 17-5.

The restart saw Edenderry come hard at the Longford defence which held up well. With 10 minutes to go the visitors crept closer to the Longford line but great defence kept them out. The visitors were pushing to the final whistle in an attempt to get a second score, but the Longford lads held them out coming out on top with a well deserved and hard-fought victory,

Final score:  Longford 17-05 Edenderry

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 

Our U9’s & U10’s were in Tullamore on Saturday, U12’s headed for Birr on Sunday and the U6, U7, U8, U11 and U12 girls had training.

Our Mini Mascots for the Senior Teams‘ Leinster League Game vs Mullingar RFC on Sunday were Rionagh, Fionn & Saoirse Gannon who play for our U6, U8 & U11 teams, pictured here with captain Danny McHugh… thankfully the ‘Luck of the Gannon’s’ rubbed off on our senior teams and we got the WINs

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

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