Midland League Final, Match Report v Tullamore, Senior Coaches, Maria Kelleher profile...

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

Men’s XV news

Midland League

Longford travelled to Tullamore on Saturday for the first competitive game of the season.  It was a good run out, typical of early season games, with plenty of handling error and work ons. However, was great to see some of our newer players getting some game time and showing what they can do. The team showed great bottle to come back from 5 points down with a few minutes to go to manufacture 2 scores to win it with the last kick of the game.

Regards the postponed Mullingar game, we are playing them this Friday 9th September at 8pm in Longford. That will be a step up on Saturday, against a more experienced team, so we know we will need to improve considerably. Hopefully it will be a good workout and we will improve again with an eye to Cill Dara on 25th Sept in our first game in the Leinster league. The final score 15-18, giving Longford the points and a losing bonus point to Tullamore.  Both Longford and Mullingar share top spot in group 1, but it’s Mullingar with the better points difference who shade it.  Longfords postponed game against Mullingar will decide the group winner.

Match report (by Matt Hanly)

Tullamore RFC 15 - 18 Longford RFC 

Longford firsts travelled to play Tullamore in the midland league on Saturday. A pregame downpour was followed by a lovely sunny evening and the enthusiastic crowd were treated to an entertaining game with some understandable early season errors. Longford lined out with a mixture of old hands and debutants with both Cormac Casey and Steph Evans getting their first Longford senior caps.

The visitors were first on the scoreboard with a Joe McGowan penalty, but Tullamore responded with a 5-pointer following a dropped ball in midfield. A lovely crossfield kick found their winger wide out and he dotted down.

This was followed with another score from the home team pushing them out to a 10 - 3 lead but Longford responded with Fred Davis scoring a 5 pointer. Joe McGowan got the extras.

Head coach Henry Bryce, made some changes at half time with Eoin Reilly making an impressive senior debut at loosehead. The scoreboard wasn’t troubled for about 30 minutes but a flurry of scores produced an exciting finish. Tullamore got a deserved lead with a well worked try and Longford looked in real trouble but up stepped Benny McManus to pull the scores back level. Longford were awarded a penalty 42 meters out in front of the posts and a well struck penalty from Joe McGowan saw the flags raised just as the final whistle sounded with the visitors winning 18-15.

Credit to a young Tullamore team, many of them wearing wrist bands from Electric Picnic, for putting up a skilful and committed display. Both teams have lots to work on, but the enthusiasm was great to see.

Seamus McKeon was very impressive at tight head, carrying powerfully and defensively sound while Fred Davis had a good first 40. Donal Harkin impressed on his senior debut as did Cormac Casey, both showing nice touches, with Ryan McHugh putting in a good display at 10.

Mullingar will be a step up this Friday but there is a good base to work from.

Comment from head coach Henry Bryce

“Against Tullamore, it was a great fixture to see where we are at. Great opportunity for the upcoming young lads to put there hands up. Plenty of work needed, but not taking away some great display of talents among the squad especially the young lads. Also, good to have the service of the senior lads to guide and lead. We won the game on the last kick, but the result is irrelevant, , we made a lot of changes so I could see what and where we are at. Looking to see more improvement this Friday”

Next fixture

Longford v Mullingar Fri 9^th September 8.00pm

Group 1

21 August Longford v Mullingar PP

28 August Mullingar 44-22 Tullamore

4th September Tullamore 15-18 Longford

Group 2

28th August Match A Roscrea 40-11 Midland Warriors

Match B Edenderry 26-42 Birr

4th September Roscrea v Birr

Midlands Warriors 47-26 Edenderry

Leinster league Div 1B fixtures 2022/23

With solid ambition for promotion come end of season, Longfords Leinster league begins in earnest on 25^th September with an away trip to Cill Dara at Silken Thomas Park.  Last season’s corresponding fixture resulted in a 17-25 vital away victory for the Longford men albeit at the latter end of the season.  By then, Cill Dara were safely positioned mid table while for Longford, victory would be essential to ensure survival in division 1B for this season, thus avoiding relegation.  

25/09/22 Cill Dara v Longford

02/10/22 Longford v Wicklow

16/10/22 Mullingar v Longford

23/10/22 Longford v Carlow

06/11/22 Tullow v Longford

13/11/22 Athy v Longford

27/11/22 Longford v Dundalk

04/12/22 Longford v Cill Dara

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

Management team

First XV

The back-room team to support Head coach Henry Bryce is now complete.  Forwards coach is Roy Davis.

Backs coach is Colm Glynn.  

Team manager is Robbie Shaw.

The club Director of Rugby post is also filled by Colm Glynn.

Training has geared up a few notches now and the enthusiasm from all the players is great to see.  Hopefully we will see the rewards on the pitch over the course of the season.

Longford RFC Senior Coaching Team; Colm Glynn, Robbie Shaw, Roy Davis and Henry Bryce

2nds XV

As the pr aseason ramps up the numbers training each night increases. The club has appointed the following management team to take responsibility for the 2nd XV team for the coming season.

Team Manager Junior Hannon

Forwards coach Matt Hanly

Backs Vinnie Conefry/Jonathon Quinn

We wish the team the best of luck throughout the season.

Ladies’ news

Recent addition to the Womens coaching ticket sees Willie Hall come on board with specific focus on backs/attack.

Nuala McGoey continues as HC and will concentrate on defence/forwards.

Training continues as we near the start on the season every Monday and Friday 7.30pm.  New players welcome always.

Contact Nuala McGoey  (086) 248 2005

Guest coach this week 

Longford Ladies were delighted to welcome former Irish International, Maz Reilly to Longford, on Monday, as a guest coach.

Maz is currently a coach with the Leinster ladies & she brings a wealth of playing experience, having played in three world Cup’s and is a two-time Six Nation’s Champion.

Maz is well known as a solid reliable second row, however she has tried her hand at a few different positions on the rugby pitch.

We are so delighted to be treated to a great rugby session with Maz.

Meet the captain!

The Longford Ladies Team captain for season 2022/23 is Maria Kelleher.  We caught up with Maria recently to reflect on her appointment as captain.

Maria Kelleher 

Playing Position: Flanker

Height: 5 ft 7 in

Age when you first played rugby: 25

Person you most admire/why?  *Katie Taylor* - she is a  humble person who never forgot her roots despite all her successions. Katie has changed the view & publicity on all women’s sports in Ireland.

Favourite player/why?  Paul O'Connell - he was a tough, hard-working player & is a great leader, both on and off the pitch.

Do you play any other sports?  Gaelic Football with Clonguish.

 • Other Hobby’s?  Love meeting teammates/ friends for walks, coffee & of course food!

• Favourite holiday destination?  The bog! Ah no, South of France is probably the nicest place I have visited so far.

• Favourite food?  A fresh cream bun!

• Favourite restaurant?  The Rustic Inn, Abbeyshrule

• Favourite drink?  Oat milk Cappuccino

• Target for Longford Ladies team for upcoming season?  To win the Division 3 Leinster league & gain promotion.  If we all work hard for the season, I believe we have the players & management to achieve this.

• Targets for captaincy?  To lead by example & always put the team first.  To motivate & encourage everyone to be their best self. Support in bringing all Longford RFC teams, of all ages together & building a strong community that we all strive to achieve.

• Advice to younger players?  Work hard & be patient. Enjoy the journey.  Make lots of friends.  Allow others to help you along the way - a problem shared, is a problem halved.

Membership

Membership is now due for existing members, players, coaches, and those who wish to play for the first time with the club. Firstly, 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. Please complete each line correctly or the player application will not go live.

Have a player head photo ready to upload also.

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 Notes

Youths’ rugby training continues weekly.  There are girls only teams training from U14 up to U18’s.

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

Monday & and Fridays 7.30pm

Boy’s teams

U13 – Lisa Brady 087 6119960

Monday 7.00-8.45pm

Saturday 10.30-11.30am

U14 – James Rowan 087 9870560

Wednesday 7.00-8.15pm

U15 – Aoghan Clarke 087 6727002

Monday and Wednesdays 7.00-8.30pm

U16 – Padraig Murphy 087 6063587

Tuesdays and 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

U17 preseason friendly

Longford U17 team travelled to Edenderry rugby club for a preseason friendly.  The game doubled as a memorial game to mark the passing of Edenderry player, Shane Hickey.  Shane tragically lost his life in a tractor accident back in May.  Before the match, both teams stood for a poignant minute’s silence, with the Edenderry team forming the number 8 in memory of their fallen teammate.  Longford, for their part, lay down the number 8 jersey on the halfway line, ahead of the minute silence in remembrance of Shane.

E’Derry struck first, but not before a period of sustained pressure in their own 22.  In their first foray into Longfords half they scored.  Longford eventually got on the scoreboard with a try from Rian Browne. At 14-5 down Longford lost powerhouse, James Grehan to a knock to the head. E’Derry tagged on 2 more tries in the second half before Shane McGuigan and Jack O’Hara both dotted down, with O’Hara now operating as centre instead of second row! E’Derry had the final say with the last try.

It was a good run out for both sides, not least to remember such a fine young player, gone too soon – Shane Hickey RIP.

Youths’ Representative U16

Shane Horgan Cup

Midlands v North Midlands, Cill Dara RFC Wednesday 31/08/22

Longford players Shane McGuigan and Darragh Walsh were both named in the squad for the Shane Horgan cup game against North Midlands on Wednesday last.  It wasn’t to be for the Midlands team who lost out to the much stronger North Midlands team on the day, however we can report that the two Longford lads acquitted themselves well.

Longford RFC’s Sam Mills claims interprovincial title with Leinster. 

Leinster Clubs U18’s took on Ulster in the final inter pro series game at Energia Park Donnybrook last weekend.  Longford RFC youth player, Sam Mills, again playing at number 8 had an exceptional game following on from his fine performances in the previous games. Ulster were very much up for the battle, not in the slightest bit overawed by the occasion.  Leinster had to come from behind twice to dig out a hard-fought win in a very entertaining battle from two talented sides.  Final score 34-20 to Leinster. So, it’s Leinster with 3 wins from 3 against the other provinces’ that take the title!

Well, done Sam!

Mini Rugby returns 

Longford Mini Rugby returned on Sunday last.  There was a fantastic turnout for the first day back. Nice to see so many returning players and so many new faces.

Weekly Training time is 10.30am to 11.30am at Longford RFC.

Players need to wear football boots, appropriate clothing, and a gum shield.

We cater for all age grades from U6 up to U12 , for both boys and girls with a girl only team at U12.

Please note the following if your child was born in/Age Grade/Team contact:

2010 - Age Grade U12's - Pauline Marlowe 087 6323373

2011 - Age Grade U11's – Mark Quinn 085 8642266

2012 - Age Grade U10's – Colm Glynn 087 1520428

2013 - Age Grade U9's – John Healy 0879884240

2014 - Age Grade U8's - TBC

2015 - Age Grade U7's - TBC

2016 - Age Grade U6's* - TBC

2010 & 2011 Age Grade U12 Girls – Gerry Carthy 086 8046857

* Children born in 2017 are welcome to train with our U6 Age grade team.

Player membership is now due. Returning players registration can be updated on the player portal on this link

https://sportsmanager.ie/sportlomo/users/login?

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 - we all know how quick the kids grow up and requirements to have a new pair of boots as they have outgrown the most recent, expensive pair.  Why not check out the hugely popular Boot room here at Longford rugby club where we have a self replenishing stock of replacement boots.  The idea is that 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 from Friday’s.  Superb food and drink are available across the weekend (Friday to Sunday). 

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/