Longford RFC Mini/Youth Notes 11/01/2016   11/01/2016

Youth’s Results

Longford U13 0 Naas 17

Longford U14 17 Naas 10

Longford U15 36 New Ross 14

Longford U16 34 Portarlington 0

Longford U17 0 Dundalk 39

Longford U18 28 Dundalk / Ardee 5  

Youth’s Fixtures

Sat 16th January

Leinster League

U13 v Wexford Away

U14 v Edenderry Home

U15 v Newbridge Away                    

U16 v Cill Dara Away

U17 v Portlaoise Away

U18 v Clane Home

Watch Facebook for time and venue changes.

Match Reports

U13 Leinster League Longford 0 Naas A 17 

Longford Under 13s started their Leinster League with a hard-fought but ultimately fruitless match at CPL Park.

The Kildare men shaded the first half in terms of territory and possession, and this was to finally tell with the only score of the half, an unconverted try. That said, the hosts were not without their chances, most notably second-row Kola Adejinmi who shimmied and weaved from his own 22, only succumbing to a last ditch tackle deep in the Naas red zone. Longford’s defence showed much improvement from previous outings which was great to see, centre Callum McEntire leading the tackle count with tigerish aggression, and scrum-half Oisin O’Toole not far behind. Naas dominated at scrum-time, and the early loss of Daniel Taylor to injury exacerbated this, giving them good platform, but the pack, marshalled by pack leader Conor McGovern extinguished much around the fringes. James Brady got some good go-forward ball and the flankers, Jason Glancy and Ronan Kavanagh kept the pressure on. Longford back moves were the best seen this season and both wings, Mark Bracken and Eoin Farrell were unlucky not to convert chances.

5-0 at half-time and all to play for, but a recurring frailty came back to haunt Longford at the start of the second half; losing focus and dropping off tackles allowing Naas to touch down under the posts, and making the task much more difficult. There was a time that the heads would drop though, but the lads lifted themselves and a real ding-dong battle ensued with both teams trading territory and possession. Matt Duffy and Kevin McDonagh made some forays into enemy territory and the hosts had some joy at the lineout with the darts of Patrick Connaughton. A visit by Naas brought them close to the 22 but Longford defence held tight. The Naas out-half, seeing players sucked into the ruck dinked a delightful cross field kick that was gathered by the winger and crossing for a further five; the crowd appreciating the vision and execution of the move.

With fifteen minutes left, Longford raised their game again and dominated the remainder. A clinical backs move pushed the hands through Cormac McDonagh to Dylan Reilly, who released winger Aaron Gilna. Darting for the line, Aaron was tackled by drift defence. Longford continued to batter and batter; out-half Cian Sutton eyeing an opportunity from a quick-tap and was unlucky not to convert. Back-row Aaron Oates probed with his trademark strikes but Naas held firm.

Whilst a disappointing result, there was a lot to be taken from the performance, the cohesion and communication has improved, and the work on defence is beginning to tell. A little more clinical at taking opportunities and the scoreboard would show fairer reflection of the match. Next week we’re again in the Leinster League, with a long trip to Wexford. Training as usual on Wednesday.

Squad: Conor McGovern; James Brady; Daniel Taylor; Kevin McDonagh; Kola Adejinmi; Ronan Kavanagh; Jason Glancy; Aaron Oates; Oisin O’Toole; Cian Sutton; Eoin Farrell; Cormac McDonagh; Callum McEntire; Mark Bracken; Dylan Reilly; Aaron Gilna; Patrick Connaughton; Matt Duffy.

U14 Leinster League Longford U14 17 Naas 10

Following on from their trip to Kilkenny just before Christmas Longford’s U14s were on the road again on Saturday for their second outing in Phase 2 of the Leinster League and came home with the two points following an outstanding display of rucking rugby and continuity play in the second half.  A victory appeared a decidedly unlikely outcome in the early stages when a slick Naas back line scored a try from their first attack and they had Longford stretched to near breaking point on a number of occasions during the course of the first ten minutes.  With their first foray into Longford territory, the Naas back line moved the ball wide and with the Longford defence allowing itself to get sucked infield Naas were able to capitalise with an overlap wide out for an unconverted try in the corner.  It was very much backs to the wall for the next 15 minutes or so and while Naas were able to put pace on the ball in attack Longford’s efforts when in possession yielded little or nothing, the Naas backline showing good line speed in defence.  It was somewhat against the run of play, therefore, that Longford took the lead on the quarter hour mark, a combination of strength and pace from James Doyle powering through the Naas defence for a fine individual score beneath the posts, converted by Ben Carthy.

Without any further score in the first period, therefore, Longford reached the half time break 7-5 ahead but, playing up the fairly significant hill it was clear that a new game plan was required one which, to the credit of the squad, was executed to perfection.  Instead of trying to move the ball wide, which had not worked in the first half, it was decided to keep the ball tight with strong carries and good rucking technique the order of the day.  With the exception of the one blemish when Naas got their noses ahead after seven minutes with a second unconverted try it was all one way traffic.  Longford’s second try, after 15 minutes, was unquestionably the pick of the day when they took play from close to their own 22 metre line through 10 or 15 phases – a ruck, followed by a strong carry from one of the front five followed by excellent cleanout work and protection at the breakdown, followed by another close in pop pass followed by another strong carry, repeated through somewhere between 10 and 15 phases and having brought play from their own 22 meter line to the opposition goal line it was Ciaran McCormack who secured the final touchdown.  It was, however, a classic team effort, James Doyle, Johnny Grier, Mark McHugh, J J Jackson and Ciaran McCormack doing the hard carrying, Conor Cox, Dylan Fay, Mossie McDermott and Jamie Byrne doing the cleaning out and setting, and Ben Carthy orchestrating movement left and right from the base of the ruck.  It was hard graft at its best but it was also very significant that the technique was spot on and there was no concession of a penalty at any stage during the drive, whether for playing the ball illegally on the ground, failing to remain on your feet, illegal ruck entry or whatever.  At 12-10 with the conversion attempt wide of the mark, however, it was still a single score game and whenever the home side got possession there were a threat out wide.  Once again, however, Longford’s midfield defence of Mossie McDermott, Jamie Byrne and Ultan O’Sullivan were rock solid throughout, with Naas only able to manage one or two line breaks during the entire game.  It was further out wide, however, that Longford were under greatest threat but the cover defence of Killian Rawle, Aaron Farrell and Daire McManus stood firm.

When Longford did attack off first phase possession it was through a blind side pick and go from, either, Ciaran McCormack and Ben Carthy and the power and pace of Daire McManus as first receiver was a constant menace to the home side.  Indeed, it was from such a move that Longford ultimately made safe the points.  Having gained 20 or 30 yards from a blind side break Daire McManus was hauled down by the Naas midfield but again Longford secured good possession, took the ball through four or five phases and Ciaran Shannon with a deft display of basketball handling skills got the touchdown in the corner ably supported by Dylan Fay.  With the difficult conversion attempt short of the target Longford were still only one score to the good and all was still to play for.  However, in Munster like fashion Longford wound down the clock with another series of carries, ruck's and recycles and while they never looked breaching the Naas try line again it was very much a classic case of the opposition not being able to score if they didn’t have possession.

With three points from two difficult away games Longford now have an excellent base from which to work over the coming weeks in what is shaping up to be a very evenly matched competition.  Next up are Edenderry at home on Saturday.

Squad: Gary Kenny, Mark McHugh, Ciaran Shannon, JJ Jackson, Dylan Fay, Conor Cox, Ciaran McCormack, Ben Carthy, Ultan O’Sullivan, Daire McManus, Thomas McDermott, Aaron Farrell, James Doyle, Jack Sullivan, Ryan Dempsey, Jamie Byrne, Killian Rawle, Paddy Lawrence, Johnny Grier, Maks Napieralski, Daniel Lynch.

U14 Leinster League Longford U14 36 New Ross 14

After a well- deserved Christmas break and a couple of games been cancelled due to the recent adverse weather conditions, the U15s were eager and ready to meet their next opponent. On Saturday, 9th January the team travelled to New Ross, Co. Wexford. Typically this part of Ireland is known as the ‘’sunny south east’’ unfortunately for the hosts, the sun did not shine in any way at all on the day; Longford arrived and dominated the game from the beginning.

As soon as the game started, Longford attacked and Gareth O’Hara scored the first try of the game just 5 minutes on. Next on the try line, was Dario Cigliano, this was followed by a conversion by Simon Moorehead.

New Ross felt the pressure, increased their defence however Longford proved to be once again the stronger team, after a series of tackles from Jack Finnegan, David Connolly, Jonathan Borland, Kevin Greggs and Gareth O’Hara scored 2 more tries.

Half time, Longford 22 – New Ross 0

Straight into attacking mode, Longford were not going to sit back, they travelled the length of the country to win and more had to be done. Great team play enabled Gareth O’Hara carry the ball to the New Ross 5 metres line and was offered fantastic support play by David Connolly who scored the try. This all happened within the first eight minutes of the second half.

New Ross continued to respond and eventually found a gap in our defence line and scored and converted their first brilliant try.

Longford immediately responded through great team play from Craig Gorman, Daniel Reilly, William Higgins which enabled Joshua Manning score a beautiful try which was followed by a conversion.

New Ross came back strong, put pressure on us and despite our strong defence and bodies falling all over the wet and mucky New Ross pitch, New Ross found the strength to break through our defence line to score and convert their second try.

Game over, six tries and three conversions for Longford. This was an assertive and the better team on the day. New Ross were a strong and a worthy opponent and we wish them luck with their future games; we also wish to thank New Ross RFC for their hospitality.

It is worth mentioning a couple of exceptional performances during this encounter:

Man of the Match: Jack Finnegan

Shared Top Tacklers: Gareth O’Hara, David Connolly, Jonathan Borland and Joshua Manning 

Top Ball Carrier: Dario Cigliano

What’s next? The team will travel to Newbridge next Saturday, Jan 16th. We look forward to this game and our team will get ready for this event during our normal training session on Tuesday at 7:30 pm. To all players, please continue your spectacular performance as a team and your impeccable attendance to both training sessions and games. As you can see, we are winning because of the work you are putting into the team. Keep it up!

Longford: Craig Gorman, James Murphy, Gareth O’Hara, Adam Penrose, James Briody, David Connolly, John Corcoran, Michael Dunne, Kevin Greggs, William Higgins, Simon Moorehead, James Reilly, Joshua Manning, Colin Cosins, Liam Donohue, Cian Gray, Daniel Reilly, Rory Lennon, Jonathan Borland, Brian Farrell, Dario Cigliano, Jack Finnegan, Ciaran McGlynn, David Reilly.  

U16 Leinster League Longford U16 34 Portarlington 0

With a six week spell without training or a match and a new opposition this game was very much a step into the unknown.

To see a squad of 20 in the changing rooms before the game definitely set the day off on the right foot. Portarlington had most of the early possession but Longford's tackling was solid and did not trouble a surprisingly organised defence.

When Longford eventually got their hands on the ball they worked it up field with a good driving run from Gabriel Grey. The ball was eventually held up over the line but Longford scored from the ensuing 5 meter scrum. Conor Craig picked at the back of the scrum and burrowed over to open the account.

After a long period of forwards play by Longford the ball was spun wide where Luke McEntire broke the line and offloaded the ball to James Kennedy who ran a great supporting line but unfortunately the pass was just behind him .

Darragh O'Toole was having a field day at the front of the line out, winning his own ball and stealing opposition ball as well. Credit also to his lifters Callum Delaney and Tom Gilheany. The interplay in the pack and the ball recycling was excellent and this brought up the second score with Tom Gilheany driving over from close range. Ronan Bleakley at scrum half was feeding the back line well and the return of Michael McCann in the centre gave the backs some much needed structure. Longford kept the pressure on and it paid off just before halftime with Darragh O'Brien running in Longford’s 3rd try of the game which was then converted brilliantly by Liam Sherdian from a long distance.

The second half time saw the introduction of three impact subs Christy Sullivan and Nichols Moore and Paulius Merkelis who immediately made a difference - with all carrying the ball well and breaking the gain line. Longford controlled possession in the early part of the second half and Portarlington could not deal with pressure and were forced to conceed another try this time to Luke McEntire who executed a perfectly timed dummy pass to run in for the fourth try.

Longford were able to retain possession because of the brilliant rucking demonstrated by the likes of Peader Kenny whose work rate was exceptional all day. Ryan McHugh spread the ball wide at every opportunity and marshalled back and forwards alike with confidence.

Ryan Corcoran was beating men at will with excellent footwork and speed. Another two pairs of fresh legs were brought on, Cormac Cahill and Luka Noak Hosman came on and impressed in both attack and defense. This helped Longford stay on the front foot and it wasn't long before Tom Gilheany went over for his second try with his trademark snipe from behind a ruck, which again was converted by the reliable Liam Sheridan.

Longford weren’t finished yet they kept piling on the pressure and the phases kept building until Liam Sheridan breezed in for the sixth and final try of the match.

Callum Deleany, Daragh O'Toole, Eoin Reilly, Gabriel Gray, Peader Kenny, Daire O'Brian, Tom Gilheany, Conor Craig, Ronan Bleakly, Ryan McHugh, James Kennedy, Luke McEntire, Michael McCann, Ryan Corcoran, Liam Sheridan, Christy Sullivan, Nicholas Moore, Cormac Cahill, Luka Noak Hosman, Paulius Merkelis.

 











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