Longford U18s win Leinster Plate, U17s lose out, Appiah in Leinster Squad, Mr Boots for Derick Turner...

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

Youth Rugby, sponsored by MLC, Midlands Language Centre. 

CHAMPIONS – U18’s take down Naas to win Leinster Plate

Longford Captain Eoin Murtagh lifts the Plate

In the final action of the season, it was a mixed bag of results for the last two teams standing for Longford Rugby Club.  The U18 side ended the season as Leinster Plate champions in a thrilling contest against a Naas side who had beaten Longford 30-05 earlier in the season.  Indeed, this result was all the sweeter, as Naas back then felt the need to turn the screw by keeping a full team on the pitch as Longford had lost players to injury, even though they had the result in the bag!  The saying ‘it’s a long road that has no turn’ was certainly apt motivation, in the build up to this final.  Longford set the tone and dictated the pace for the entire contest, withstanding the strong fight-back from the Naas side, who desperately tried to get themselves back into contention.  Longford were so determined to reverse the previous result, that their resolute defending was some of the best by any Longford youth team all season.  Special mention to mentors, Jimmy Murphy, Michael Bannon and Danny McHugh whom have worked extremely hard all season to keep this group together.

Earlier at the same venue, Longford’s U17 side took on Mullingar in the U17 decider and for a long period were right in the game.  The tide turned in the second half, as Mullingar got the first try.  Missed knock-ons in later phases allowed Mullingar to score their second try.  Longford fought back and got their own score mid-way through the second half, however the Mullingar side went on to win from there as their fitness was that bit better on the day.

U18 Leinster Plate Final 

Longford RFC 23-12 Naas, Report by Micheal Bannon

Sam Davis carries for Longford U18s v Naas

Longford took on Naas team in the Leinster U18 Plate final in Kilcock on Saturday the 23^rd of April.

Naas who had beaten a strong Tullow team in their semi-final were strong favourites coming into the game. Longford who were aiming for their third win of the season overcame Carlow in their semi-final after a heroic performance.

Conditions were poor with heavy rainfall before and during the match which favoured the bigger Longford pack. Longford drew first blood with Padraig Boyle slotting over a penalty to make it 3-0 after 5mins.

Naas capitalised on a poor Longford exit and played it through the hands to score in the corner with their kicker landing the touchline conversion.

Longford managed to work a few phases in their half before Padraig Boyle chipped through and regathered to get Longford deep into the Naas half.  Once Longford got into Naas’s red zone the forwards came to life and started to gain ground with a number of pick and goes and balls off scum half Sam O’Rourke.  Eventually Naas could no longer soak up the pressure and Ireland u18 international Sam Mills went over the line with Padraig Boyle added the conversion to make it 10-3.

Longford continued to play the conditions with the boot of Padraig Boyle with some intricate kicks to put the Naas back three under pressure. Longford scored an almost identical try to their first with captain Eoin Murtagh touching down with Padraig Boyle getting the extras making it 17-7 going into the second half.

Longford management freshened the side up by bringing on David Bannon and John Boyle on both of whom had particularly strong games in defence with Bannon putting in some massive shots throughout the second half.

As the second half started the rain had stopped and Longford were playing up the hill. Longford new they would face a Naas onslaught, but Longford managed to keep the scoreboard ticking over through Padraig’s boot making it 20-7. Longford’s forwards managed to win a penalty thirty-five meters out from the Naas line.  Padraig Boyle kicked his finest penalty of the day making it 23-7.

Disaster stuck for Longford as after Naas pressure on Longford’s line, Adam Glennon received a yellow for a hand in the ruck.  Longford defence held out and managed to clear their lines from the following Naas attack.

Naas did eventually cross the Longford line with a fine move after severe pressure on the tiring Longford defence.  Lolu Adejinmi swapped places with Glennon in the bin for the final few minutes after a high tackle, but Longford withstood the kitchen sink been thrown at them and the referee blew the full-time whistle and Longford were crowned Leinster Plate champions.

Special mention to Patton, Davis and Hanley in the forwards and Byrne, Jude O’Rourke in the backs who had massive games in defence and at the breakdown.

Longford: 1 Lolu Adejinmi 2 Jack Patton 3 Sam Davis 4 Ciaran McNally 5 Seamus Hanley 6 Joel Gillanders 7 Sam Mills 8 Eoin Murtagh 9 Sam O’Rourke 10 Padraig Boyle 11 Adam Glennon 12 Jude O’Rourke 13 Kevin Byrne 14 David Sullivan 15 Daniel Egan 16 Ryan Britton 17 Rokas Macevicius 18 David Bannon 19 John Boyle

Leinster Development Pathway U18 Leinster squad selection

Longford’s Yaw Appiah has succeeded in being selected for the Leinster U18 club squad.  Yaw, who attends Wilsons Hospital in Multyfarnham, plays for the club U17 team and also a regular on the Midlands development squad.  The side defeated the Leinster schools squad in a challenge game last week, demonstrating the increasing quality being produced by clubs across the province.  We wish Yaw the best of luck with the squad.

Midlands Development pathway

Longford Rugby club have an increasing number of players participating in the Leinster development pathway which commences at U16 age grade.  On the boy’s side, a total of seven players from the Longford Rugby Club are selected to participate in the summer training programme ahead of next seasons Shane Horgan Cup.  From this season’s Midlands development side, there are five players from Longford U16’s retained to continue training in the Leinster development pathway.

There are also six girls from Longford Rugby Club selected to participate at U18 in the Sarah Robinson Cup next season. 

Mr. Boots Award night

Longford Rugby Clubs Derick Turner will be presented with the Mr Boots Award at a dinner in Longford Rugby Club on Friday 26th May.

The Boots Award is a prestigious award presented by the IRFU to someone from across the Island who has made an incredibly significant contribution to Junior rugby. 

Tickets for the event are €50 and given Derick’s massive contribution to Longford RFC over more than half a century we think it only fitting that we honour this great achievement.

To purchase tickets please contact one of the following

David Bird 086 6002704

Karen Lennon 087 7449228

Tony Headon 086 0618614

Donagh McDonnell 086 2668822

Girls Rugby - Give it a Try

Longford Rugby Club are  hosting a girls rugby Give it a Try series over the coming weeks.  The training sessions will run from 6.00pm having commenced on Wednesday last.  This is a perfect time to try out a new sport, meet new people and make new friends.  For further information please contact Karen on 087449228.

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 

Training for all youths’ teams has now finished for the season. 

Age group, coach contact details and in season training schedule as follows:

Please contact the coaches below ahead of next season for updates.

Girls’ teams

U14 girls - Mags McKenna  087 6309653

Wednesday 7:00-8:15pm

U16 girls – Eugene Larkin 086 6015325

Wednesday 7:00-8:15pm

U18 girls – Declan Smyth 085 1375973

Wednesday & and Fridays 7.30pm

Boy’s teams

U13 – Pauline Marlowe 087 632 3373 schedule TBC

U14 – Lisa Brady 087 6119960

Monday 7.00-8.45pm

Saturday 10.30-11.30am

U15 – Declan Elliott 086 8125363

Wednesday 7.00-8.15pm

U16 – Aoghan Clarke 087 6727002

Monday and Wednesdays 7.00-8.30pm

U17 – Padraig Murphy 087 6063587

Thursdays 6.30-8.30pm

U18.5 – Freddie Forde 086 1727145

Tuesdays and Thursdays 7.00-8.30pm

Please follow club social media for updates on our Instagram & Facebook profiles - Longford RFC.

Mini Rugby

Longford U12 Girls Squad who took part in their first ever Blitz

The U12’s minis rugby season culminates with the largest blitz in the country at Seapoint Rugby Club.  Longford were well represented with both our boys and girl’s teams playing on the day. In particular, a big well done to Longford RFC U12 girls who played their first ever games of rugby in today's blitz at Seapoint.

They played fantastically against teams who have been playing together since U8 and were well up for the challenge.

For further information on minis rugby, please contact Pauline Marlowe, Mini Co-ordinator, Longford RFC. Mob - 087 632 3373

If you are interested in helping with any age group, 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 does not 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