Derick Turner inducted into Hall of Fame, Men lose to Carlow, Ladies lose to Wicklow, Mini/Youth News...

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

Derick Turner – Leinster Rugby Sean O’Brien Hall of Fame Award Winner 2023.

It was a special occasion at Bective RFC where Leinster Rugby held the Sean O’Brien Awards and the winner was none other than Longford Rugby stalwart, Derick Turner.

Derick's love and passion for the game of rugby was honed during his school days in

Wilsons Hospital. In an unusual twist, Derick captained Wilsons Hospital to a Connacht Schools Cup and also played with the Connacht schools’ team.

On leaving school and wanting to continue to play the game he loved, he joined Mullingar. At that time Longford had no club and Mullingar was the natural home for those from the county that wanted to play the game.  Derick's first involvement in the Towns Cub was as a seventeen-year-old, playing for Mullingar against Wexford.  In the mid 60's, Derick, along with a group of like-minded people, felt it was time that Longford once again had their own Club.  There was a history of rugby being played in the county from the late 1800's through to the war years, but it would be 1967 before Longford RFC once again took to the field.  

Derick Turner receives his Hall of Fame Award from President of Leinster Rugby, Debbie Carthy 

Having had such a close association with Mullingar, it seemed natural that the first outing for the fledgling Longford Club would be against their near neighbours, and, as it transpired, it was to be a narrow win for the new Club, with none other than Derick Turner scoring one of two tries for Longford.

In those early years the Club played on a field borrowed from a local farmer and players changed at the back of the Annaly Hotel where a cold shower and barrel of

cold water were the only facilities enjoyed by the players. Longford RFC have come a long way and the facilities now enjoyed by members include two prunty pitches a new floodlit state of the art 4G pitch, comfortable clubhouse with restaurant facilities, gym, separate changing rooms for women's rugby and a dedicated youth facilitv.  While Derick would be the first to acknowledge the great work done by so many people in the Club over the years, there is no doubt that he has driven the development of the Club both on and off the pitch for over 55 years.

Club members at the Sean O'Brien Hall of Fame Awards, L-R, Tom Cox, Paul Treuick, Pat Quinn, Tony Headon, Peter Quinn, Derick Turner, Club President Donagh McDonnell, Gerry Carthy, Eddie Farrell, PRO Padraig Murphy.

Derick instigated the introduction of the youths and minis section of the Club back in the early seventies.  He was also ahead of his time where women's rugby was concerned, in getting a team together in Longford in the mid-seventies, only to see it fall by the wayside as it proved impossible to get any matches for the team.

His dedication to both Longford and Leinster Rugby has seen him serve as Club Captain, 1st Team Coach and Club President.  He represented Longford on the Leinster Midlands Committee and sat as one of their representatives on the Leinster junior committee for many years. During his time on the Leinster Junior committee, he sat on the Competitions Committee, while he also spent a period of three years as manager of the Leinster Junior side, during which time they secured an interprovincial title.

While a lot of people have come and gone since 1967, Derick Turner remains

the one constant driving force at the club, be it driving development, encouraging, and mentoring players, fundraising, marking pitches, or whatever else is required. While he has stepped down from his Leinster roles, Derick shows no sign of letting up any time soon.  He remains on the club executive and leads the sponsorship and development

committees.

The Clubs presence at the heart of the community is due to Derick’s great work

and foresight.  After more than half a century of service to the development and

administration of rugby both at Club and Provincial level, Derick Turner is a

fitting recipient of the prestigious Leinster Rugby, Sean O’Brien Hall of Fame award.

Men’s XV News

Despite a spirited second half, Longford came up short against Carlow at Oak Park on Sunday.  In a further twist, despite taking a losing bonus point, the away results for both teams just above Longford mean that we remain bottom of the table, without closing the gap.  Longford’s 3 remaining league fixtures, 2 of which are at home, are all the more critical to our survival in Division 1B.

Longford secure losing bonus point in frustrating away loss to Carlow RFC

By Mark Quinn at Oak Park, Carlow

29/01/2023 Carlow RFC 19 Longford RFC 12

During the long drive back from Carlow late on Sunday evening, a range of contradicting words swirled through my head in trying to sum up the day’s events. Frantic, composed, careless, ruthless, naïve, smart, fearful and brave were just a few. All were in the mix on a day when Longford went from flattering to deceive to illustrating in bursts the very form that has seen this side grow in confidence and make a comeback in terms of League points over recent matches. Ultimately it wasn’t to be on a day when very little if anything went this team’s way.

Context is however important before we get into any match detail. Going into gameday, the team were already without 3 kingpins of the usual starting XV with the influential Benny McManus, Kieran O’Gorman and Finnbarr McGowan all missing from the team sheet due to injury or unavailability. This was however further compounded on the day itself with the late withdrawals of Liam Brady & George McDermott – 2 more key players who have been in rich form over recent weeks. Traveling to Carlow is a tough away day at the best of times but without 5 of last week’s starting team that so impressively beat Mullingar meant that this was going to be an even harder challenge to overcome. This is a squad effort though and in stepped able deputies to take their chances.

Carlow kicked off into Longford’s half with a slight breeze in their favour. Their chase was aggressive and immediately put the Longford receivers under pressure deep in the Longford 22. Longford scrambled to get a set and just did so despite the aggressive opening Carlow attack. The ball was spun back to Ryan McHugh behind his own touchline who needed to clear for touch. The towering Carlow No.4 had other ideas however and he launched himself high into the path of the clearance kick and got a full block on the ball. As it spun to the ground it was roulette where it went next but perhaps as an early signal to Longford of how this day was going to go it sat up neatly for the Carlow blocker to touch it down for an opening try which was converted. One minute down, 7-0 down.

That can happen in the opening play of any sport – and when it does you write it off and immediately go again. It was a freak start that the team needed to put behind them. This they did and for the next 10 minutes Longford locked horns and competed hard with what was a very high-quality Carlow team. Matters weren’t helped however during this period when Colm Glynn, Longford’s most experienced leader, was forced off due to an injury. Player/Coach Henry Bryce entered the fray for what was going to have to be a longer cameo than was planned.

Carlow were starting to really click into gear now and were launching phase after phase of multi angle running lines that had Longford stretched to cover. On the 17^th minute one of these phases delivered Carlow’s second try, however the conversion was missed. Score 12-0 as we approached the end of the first quarter. Longford needed a reaction and importantly started to gain a foothold in the game. Alistair McCormack had a fine first half both in the loose and out of touch as Longford’s main lineout threat. He was ably assisted by Tom Gilheany, Packie Molloy and Mark McHugh who fought tenaciously at every breakdown. However, despite this it was at this juncture that self-inflicted errors began to creep in through the team with an escalating number of lineouts lost and penalty kicks for touch falling short. Longford were wasting hard fought momentum opportunities and giving Carlow soft escapes.

Longford did however execute a superb phase of play on 26 minutes that caught Carlow unawares. From a lineout Longford launched a textbook driving maul just inside the Carlow half and rumbled forward for 15 metres at a pace Carlow couldn’t deal with. The referee finally raised his hand to signal a rare penalty to the visitors due to Carlow collapsing. Longford kicked to the corner, lost the ensuing lineout and Carlow cleared to halfway. If ever a 2-minute phase reflected how things were going so far this was it – pure frustration. Carlow launched another incisive attack on 32 minutes that Longford did very well to get back and defend, forcing their flying winger into touch with only a metre to spare. Longford secured the resulting lineout, drove the maul again for 15 metres out of trouble and received another penalty for Carlow collapsing. This time the lines were cleared to relieve the pressure. However, Carlow weren’t for easing and on 36 minutes countered a Longford missed touch to devastating effect. They rumbled over as the half time whistle approached for a converted try. Score 19-0 at the break.

Longford shuffled the backline at halftime with Diarmuid Masterson introduced and several positional changes made. The second half started with more self-inflicted hardship however as Alistair McCormack was shown a straight yellow card for an infringement at the breakdown on 42 minutes. To add injury to insult, the unfortunate John Geelan took a heavy knock on 44 minutes that seen one of Longford’s toughest competitors this season forced to retire. Longford really had to dig in now and somehow stem the flow of an increasingly confident Carlow side. To their credit, Longford hung in with big defensive displays on show from every man on the field. Up front Podge Farrell at Loose Head Prop took no step back and put in a huge effort both in scrum and open play. However, it was Seamus McKeown at Tight Head who perhaps went even a step further with a colossal, player of the match performance that showed just why he is so highly thought of by those involved at Longford Rugby Club. He was ferocious throughout - fearless in contact, relentless in the tackle and ruck - and as solid as the foundations of Cairn Hill in the scrum. He has a huge future in the game.

Ryan McHugh gets ready to launch an attack from a Longford scrum

Longford needed to get something going now, and on 60 minutes Henry Bryce made a trademark break from his 22 and reached the halfway line with a typically aggressive carry. The ball was spun quickly wide to Danny McHugh, restored to his favoured Outhalf position, who launched a superb second wave swiftly through the backs. Joe McGowan took the ball on the line at full tilt and made a remarkable run – evading several tacklers and making serious yardage. Just as it looked like he was caught he slipped the final defender and the road to the try line was somehow still open. He made it for one of the standout tries of the season and Ryan McHugh slotted a beauty of a conversion from the touchline. Score 19-7.

Longford had found their groove and were now the dominant force as a shaken Carlow visibly wilted. Longford launched wave after wave of attack and were unlucky to be held up at the Carlow line on several occasions. On 66 minutes Longford were awarded a penalty from which another driving maul was launched at the Carlow line. Henry Bryce took matters into his own hands and crashed over for a hard-earned team try. The difficult conversion was however missed. Score 19-12 with 14 minutes to go.

Packie Molloy rises highest to secure possession against Carlow

Longford gave everything for the remainder of the game and gallantly stood up to what were a very well drilled Carlow side. Despite some excellent phases of play from Longford in the closing stages, the Carlow fortifications proved impenetrable and they held out for the win – albeit with the fright of their lives as Longford made them sweat right to the final whistle.

So, a disappointing loss but a losing bonus point was secured against a very tough hand of cards dealt to the team on the day. This could yet prove crucial as the final 3 games of the Leinster League approach. With a full complement of players back and a well-earned rest after 3 successive physical weekends of rugby, this team has still plenty to believe in. There are 15 points still on the table. Some luck, better discipline, ruthless execution and cool heads will be the deciding factors in what happens next.

1 P Farrell 2 M McHugh 3 S McKeown 4 D Geelan 5 J Geelan 6 A McCormack 7 T Gilheany 8 P Molloy 9 R Shaw 10 D McHugh 11 C Casey 12 C Glynn 13 R McHugh 14 D Connolly 15 J McGowan 16 R Collum 17 P Prunty 18 K Rodgers 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

29/01/23 Carlow 19-12 Longford

Upcoming Fixtures

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

29/01/23 Wicklow 34-05 Longford

Ladies upcoming fixtures

5/02/23 Longford v Clontarf

12/02/23 Gorey v Longford

26/02/23 Longford v Athy

Despite an away loss to Wicklow J1, the Ladies team remain in the top half of the table, with pressure coming on from chasers, Athy and Arklow.  Next up is a visit to CPL Park on Sunday next for Clontarf, who themselves sit 13 points ahead of the Longford girls.

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 29/01/23

U18 Longford 25-32 Gorey (Darcy Cup)

U17 Midlands Warriors 00-38 Longford Div 1

U16G Roscrea 12-26 Longford

U16 Longford 05-27 Mullingar ML

U13 Longford 00-42 Athy (McAuley Cup)

Upcoming fixtures

U18 Wicklow v Longford Div 1

U18G Panthers v Longford Div 4

U17 Athy v Longford Div 1

U16 Longford v Portarlington Div 2

U14 Longford v Rathdrum Div 2

U13 Longford v E’Derry ML

Youth Match reports 

U17 Midland Warriors 00 - 38 Longford

The Longford U17’s made the trip to Midland Warriors for the reverse fixture of this 2^nd Phase of the Leinster League campaign. Playing with the bare 15 young men, it meant that some lads had to adapt to some positional changes, Oran Lyons stepping in as hooker from his recent outings on the wing, Alex Forde filled the scrum half’s boots while Olan Bracken was in the 2^nd centre role.

It was a lovely dry day with no wind, a prefect day for a game in the grass pitch. The main focus today was to try to concentrate on our structure, communication and working our arrows. The game started as it was to continue with Jamie Dorr going in for the 1^st try in the 5^th minute and it was converted by Rian Browne. With the forwards taking control for the next few minutes, Oran Lyons went over for a converted try in the 9^th minute. Forward dominance was maintained, and Jack O’Hara went over in the 20^th minute. There was a purple patch of play for the Midlands lads and the Longford defence was stretched but held out. On the 35^thmin it was a chance for winger Caelum Mc Gee to put his name on the scoresheet when he scored in the corner. This left the score 0-24 to the visitors at half time.

After we came out for the second half, we had identified some areas that we needed to work on. Through the working of our arrows James Grehan went over in the 10^th minute of the second half, and Rian slotted over again. Despite the scoresheet, the next phase of play was a little scrappy, with penalties being awarded for hands in the ruck, high tackles and not rolling away. In the 25^th minute of this half, despite Rian’s call for the ball to go to the backs, James saw a gap in the Warriors defence and scored under the posts. With Rian converting it left the score 38-0 to the Longford men.

We were unlucky not to have scored more, Diarmuid Rawlewas denied twice, once for touching the touchline as he went in and the second, as he touched down after crossing the whitewash, only to get up to realise it was the 5mtr line and not the try line. Yaw Appiah gave us a masterclass on jackling, John Sheridan jumped well in the lineout stealing a few, Cathal Ghee & Sean Molihan carrying the ball well into contact and Cian Gavin making a great tackle on one if the oppositions biggest player. Diarmuid Glennon tackled like a demon despite one of the oppositions wanting to change his hair style.

Plenty of work to do on the training ground next week, as we will need to improve against stronger opposition next week down in Athy. Thanks to Midlands Warriors for their hospitality and to Conor our water (and tee) boy for the day.

Longford: Yaw Appiah, Oran Lyons, Cathal Ghee, Jack O’Hara, Sean Mohihan, Cian Gavin, John Sheridan, James Grehan, Alex Forde, Rian Browne, Diarmuid Glennon, Olan Bracken, Caelum Mc Gee, Diarmuid Rawle, Jamie Dorr.

U16 Boys Longford 05-27 Mullingar 

Longford U16s welcomed Mullingar to CPL Park on Saturday last in the Midland League. Following a win against Ravens in the last round, Longford were anxious needed another victory to keep alive the hope of a final appearance. Longford started very well in the first quarter and brought the game to their opponents with some great continuity play, led ably by Joseph Davidson and Ryan Spollen with rapid distribution by Mel Mulligan. Mullingar's defence creeked but never broke and, against the run of play, their out-half hacked a ball through from his own half of the pitch which was followed up on by their pacy centre to score. Longford responded quickly and attacked again into the Mullingar half. A line out close to the Mullingar line yielded a well taken try by Daniel Corr in a well worked move. Mullingar attacked the Longford line shortly afterwards and notably try saving tackles by Jamie Donohue and Ryan Spollen broke the siege. A try for Mullingar followed shortly afterwards on 20 minutes following a penalty 10 metres from the line. On resumption, Longford again attacked deep into the Mullingar half and a driving maul followed by good forward probing by Conor O Grady and Danny Kelly led to a Ryan Spollen dive for the line. The ref adjudged that the ball had spilled forward, and Mullingar managed to clear their lines. On the stroke of half time Mullingar scored in  the corner  and Longford could feel aggrieved to find themselves 10 points behind having had the lion's share of possession and territory in the first half. The second half began well for Longford but slow support for the ball carrier proved their undoing and good possession was coughed up to the opposition on a number of occasions. Two tries in quick succession followed for Mullingar. Darragh Walsh and Senan Murphy led some probing runs for Longford in the closing quarter. The final result of 27-5 didn't reflect some good Longford play. Longford have alot of positives to take form their performance.

Longford: 1 Ryan Spollen, 2 James Cosgrove, 3 Joseph Davidson, 4 Conor O’Grady, 5 Danny Kelly, 6 Harry Byrne, 7 Derek Belton, 8 Daniel Corr, 9 Mel Mulligan, 10 Donnacha Golden, 11 Jonathan Groenewald, 12 Senan Murphy, 13 Jamie Donohue, 14 Jack Brogan, 15 Darragh Walsh, 16 Tadhg McCauley, 17 Gift Obrerhor, 18 Corey Harrington. 

Next match is a Leinster league home game versus Portarlington this weekend.

U16G Ravens 12-26 Longford

Mia Rowan opened the scoreline which was converted by Isabella Larkin. The visitors scored again with Mia showing some strong running after a few phases involving the forwards up the middle of the pitch.  A well worked penalty move resulted in Shauna Hannon blasting over for Longfords 3rd try, converted by their Captain.

Longford led at half time 19-5

The game was a bit stop/start in the 2nd half with Longford losing 2 players to the Bin.

Longford withheld and  some excellent support running from Ava Horkan and Olivia Hadzislawus ended with Longford getting the last try ran in by Amber McGrath, again converted by Isabella Larkin.

Longfords defence was almost impenetrable...special performances by Andrea Nolan, Anna O Connor Niamh Brady, and Maria Rincon in defence.

Overall, one of the most comprehensive team performances the girls have had so far.

Final score: Ravens 12 Longford 26

Scores: Tries- Mia Rowan (2), Shauna Hannon(1), Amber McGrath (1).

Isabella Larkin- Conversions (3)

Longford: Rachel O Loughlin,  Isabella Larkin (C) Niamh Brady, Andrea Nolan, Olivia Hadzislawus, Amber McGrath, Lucy O Connor, Ava Horkan, Mia Rowan, Ava O Loughlin, Aoife MvVeigh, Anna o Connor, Maria Ricon, Jasmine Duignan, Shauna Hannon

U15

The U15 team attended this season’s Midlands squad initial screening session at Mullingar rugby club on Sunday. Over 3 blitz games the team had the opportunity to showcase their skills and hopefully impress enough to be selected for the next session at mid-term.

Schools Rugby

St. Mels College junior team took on neighbouring rugby school, Wilsons Hospital at the club on Wednesday last.  The St. Mel’s team has a host of players who play with the club together with some very talented newcomers.  Mel’s juniors have had good results on field this season with their only defeat in the cup competition against a good Drogheda side before the Christmas.

Wilsons also boast a number of club players from both Longford and Mullingar Rugby clubs and coupled with the more intensive and regular weekly training sessions, one might have thought there would be a mismatch on the field.  That couldn’t be further from the truth as what followed was one of the most entertaining games between two evenly matched sides.  The game ebbed and flowed with both sides swapping the lead on a number of occasions. 

St. Mel’s struck first with a try from fullback, Darragh Walsh, converted by Senan Murphy.  Wilsons replied with one try before out-half, Senan, struck to score the second St. Mels try and again added the conversion.  Wilsons then added two more tries to take the lead but managed to convert just one of them.  From there, Mel’s piled on the pressure with two further tries, both scored by flanker, Maxime Gerner, also converted by Senan Murphy.  Wilsons scored the last try but with just one successful kick off the tee the St. Mels side held on to win the game.

There were some great performances across the team, Michael Gacquin at scrum-half, Danny Kelly at No8, Mikey Glennon in the centre, Darragh Walsh and Maxime Gerner at wing-forward and Senan Murphy pulling strings at out-half.  St. Mel’s will play one further league game before the playoffs and are on target to reach the Leinster final.

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 

For further information on all mini’s rugby, please contact your coach or our Mini’s Coordinator, 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.

For all Longford RFC club correspondence please contact Ph: 087 6063587

Email:  lrfconnects@gmail.com