Longford RFC Mini/Youth Notes 18/01/2016   18/01/2016

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Schools News

Bank of Ireland Vinnie Murray Cup

Wilson’s Hospital SCT powered into the semi-final of the Vinnie Murray Cup with a 6 try victory over Wicklow side Colaiste Bhride, The 46-10 win saw 3 tries from the Longford contingent – Ruadhan McDonnell getting a brace and Daniel McHugh scoring one. The semi-final against one-time giants Castleknock College will be a keenly contested affair and not only is a spot in the final up for grabs but also automatic entry into the Bank of Ireland Schools Cup with a first round game against Blackrock College !

SCT Development Cup

Moyne C.S. are into the semi-final of the SCT Development Cup against Carnew from Wicklow. This game will be played at Longford RFC on Friday next with a coveted place in the final at stake.

JCT Development Shield

St Mel’s advanced to the quarter finals of the JCT Development Shield with a solid 20-0 win over arch-rival’s Moyne C.S. With many players togging out together for Longford RFC it added a bit of spice to the game on Wednesday last. Dario Cigliano, Darragh McManus and Dillon Smith were try scorers on the day with Liam Sheridan clinical with the boot. They now await word on the quarter final opponents.    

Youth’s Results

Longford U13 10 Wexford Wanderers 12

Youth’s Fixtures

Sat 23rd January

Leinster League

U13’s                     vs. Edenderry                       Home

U14’s                      vs. Wicklow                        Away

U15’s                     vs. Ashbourne                      Home                   

U16’s                     vs. West Offaly             Home

U17’s                     vs. Cill Dara                        Home

U18’s                     vs.  Tullamore                    Away

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 Kildaremen 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.

U15 Leinster League

Longford U15   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









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