Tommy Butler (Club PRO) in conversation with Gerry Carthy (Mini/Youths Chair)

Building on Last Season

Longford Youths had unprecedented success last season with teams across the Youth section competing at the business end of most competitions.  The U18s won the Leinster Division 1 Title and also won the Leinster U18s cup and the U17s won their league.  St Mel’s also won the Leinster Schools Anne McInerney Cup and Moyne were defeated in the Plate Final of the same competition.  A number of the players like Ryan McHugh, Robbie Shaw, Fred Davis and Bryan Hanley have already graduated to the Senior Panel this year.

What new?

Our new state of the art floodlight 4G artificial training pitch is now up and running.  It is a state of the art pitch that allows contact sports like rugby to be played on it as it has built in cushioning.  It will be a big advantage especially during when the pitches are too wet to train on.

One great reason to join the club at Mini/Youth level is the opportunity to join club trips to watch Leinster play in the RDS and the Aviva stadium at discounted prices.  There will be a number of trips organised this year.  Many of the Leinster players will be lining out for Ireland in the World Cup in October next year, so it will be a great opportunity to see them up close and personal.

We have 150 Players/Coaches/Parents signed up to watch the clash of Leinster v Munster in the Aviva Stadium on Saturday the 6^th of October at 6 PM.  There is a limited number of places still left, if you want to go Call/text Padraig on 0862526741.

Other trips will be organised during the season and even some foreign tours.  Last year our U18s toured in France.

Upcoming Fixtures

Most teams will be kicking off playing in the Midland League in the coming weeks.  Fixtures will be confirmed very soon.  October/November sees the first part of the Leinster League where teams from all over Leinster play initially before they are grouped into Divisions for the second part of the season where silverware is up for grabs.  First out of the traps is the U16s v Tullamore this weekend and the U17s against Roscrea next Saturday.  Log onto to our website & social media for updates.

Play for the Midland/Leinster or even Ireland

The club have a proud record or players lining out at all representative levels.  As recently as few seasons ago Eoin Corcoran lined out for Ireland.  This year was no different;

Tom Gilheaney lined for Leinster U18 Schools.

Shane Mallon for Leinster U17 Schools.

Luke Carten for Connacht U19.

Dario Cigliano & Gareth O’Hara Midlands U17

JJ Jackson, Seamus McKeon and Jamie Byrne for Midlands U16.

Kevin Tansey, Kevin McDonagh and Kono Adejinmi for the Midlands U15.

These are all pathways to playing professional rugby.  Lots of recent internationals have come from clubs like Longford such as Tadgh Furlong and Sean O’Brien.

It is never too late to start, if you would like to give rugby a go, please give Gerry a ring on 0868046857.

Future Plans

There are strong coaching teams together at all levels.  Last year’s Senior Forwards Coach, Ronan Keith, is coaching the U18s this year.  There will be a big focus on upskilling coaches both internally and externally this season with the aim that every coach will have a matching IRFU qualification.

Coaching at U17/U18 level will be focusing on preparing the players for Senior rugby and adopting the same style as the Senior Team.  Most of the Senior Team came from the Clubs Youth section and the club are now focusing on continuing and improving on that tradition.

Anything else

We are particularly looking to add players to our U13 squad (born in 2006).  If you are or your son is interested, please give John (Freddie) Forde a ring on 086-1727145.  The U13s train on a Wednesday at 7 PM.

Conclusion

With Irish rugby flying high after the Grand Slam and a series victory in Australia and the World Cup on the horizon now is the perfect time to take up rugby.  Longford RFC have some of the best rugby facilities in the country and great coaches.  Allied to that is chance to play representative rugby, visit the RDS or the Aviva Stadium to watch PRO14 and European Champions Leinster with the club at special prices or even go on rugby tours in Ireland and abroad.

Longford U18s who did the League and Cup double last season