Longford RFC Club News 11/02/2019   12/02/2019

Senior Men Home to Suttonians, Senior Women home to Tullamore, Mini/Youth Match Reports, Underage Questionnaire...

By Tommy Butler Longford RFC PRO tommylbutler@gmail.com 

Senior Men

Longford Senior Men secured a great win away to Division 1A side, Boyne RFC in Drogheda yesterday to advance to the Provincial Towns Cup Quarter Final versus Kilkenny on St. Patricks day in CPL Park, Longford.  It promises to be a great day!

However, the Cup is parked for now as the Senior Men’s attention turns back to their final two league games versus Suttonians and North Kildare.  First up is league leaders Suttonians, who just need a point from the match to win the league.  Longford need to win with a bonus point to bring the league down to the last day.  However, they are also two points ahead of third placed Monkstown.  Longford will be looking to secure two wins in their final matches to at least consolidate second place and secure a shot at Promotion to Division 1A via a play off against the team that finishes second last in 1A.

Suttonians are planning on travelling to Longford in force this Sunday.  It is our last home league game of the season and we ask all our club members, coaches, players and friends at all levels to turn out in force and make CPL Park into a loud chorus of support for the hometown heroes.  ‘Now is the time, tomorrow will be too late’. Please spread the word and see you there.

Upcoming Fixtures

Sunday February 17th Leinster League Suttonians (Home)*

Sunday March 3rd Leinster League North Kildare (Away)* 

Sunday Match 17th Provincial Towns Cup ¼ Final Kilkenny (Home)*

Early XV kick off at 1.30 and Late XV at 3.

Longford Women (Warriors)

Longford Women had last weekend off.  However, they welcome Tullamore to CPL Park next Sunday at 1PM in their final league game of the season.  The team has really improved as the season has progressed and are well worth your support.  Longford Women await the cup draw to see who they place next up after Tullamore.

Upcoming Fixtures:

Sunday February 17th Tullamore Leinster League (Home).

All Kick Offs are at 1 PM.

Longford Mini/Youths

It was a very busy weekend of underage action in Longford with ten teams in action  It is not too late to start playing Mini/Youth rugby.  Longford RFC welcome new players at all levels both boys/girls with no previous experience necessary.  Training times and Fixtures can be found on www.longfordrugby.com or at https://goo.gl/qAVBPv

Fixtures:

Saturday February 16th   

U17 v Dundalk (Away).

U14 Girls v ABS (TBC).

U6-U12 Buccaneers Blitz (Away Starts at 11 am).

Match Reports

U18

Longford U18s faced Cill Dara in the league on Saturday.  The 18s had went down to a heavy defeat against a very physically imposing Cill Dara away earlier in the season and were looking for a big performance.  That is exactly what they did.  They lead for most of the first half, 7-0, before Cill Dara tacked on all their scores in space of 20 minutes.  Longford responded to finish out the match in double scores going down to a final score line of 14-34. Longford still have to play Mullingar in the cup where they will be looking to further improve on Saturday’s performance.  Both Longford’s tries were scored by No. 13 Bryn Peters.

U16

Longford U16s took on Wicklow missing a large number of players due to injury.  Longford had the bare fifteen and put in a great effort.  However, they were up against a well drilled Wicklow side with seven subs and unfortunately it was not their day.  The coaching team want to express their thanks to all the players, but unfortunately you can’t win every day. Training continues this Wednesday at 7 PM with a friendly being arranged in the near future.

U15

Longford U15's travelled to Mullingar on Saturday. Longford got off to a terrible start when they conceded 3 early soft tries. Longford finally got their act together and had the majority of possession for the remaining half. They got their reward when David Keenan finished off a well worked try in the corner.  Shortly afterwards Lolu Adejimni burst through for a second try, to bring the score difference down to 5 at the break.

Mullingar took control in the 2nd half and scored 3 more tries without reply.  Longford willl be pleased with their rucking and ball retention but will be disappointed with some of the tackling. Longford should take heart from their performance against a much bigger Mullingar team. Congratulations to Cormac Casey and David Keenan who made their rugby debut.

Team and scorers; 1 Lolu Adejimni (1 try), 2 Ronan Smyth, 3 Seamus Hanley, 4 Jacob Crossan, 5 Conor McNamara, 6 Gavin Courage, 7 Dean Rogan, 8 Keith Neary, 9 Ryan Cunningham, 10 Padraig Boyle, 11 Conor Smith, 12 Eoin Murtagh, 13 Kevin Byrne, 14 Cormac Casey, 15 John Boyle. Subs used; 16 Sean Conboy, 17 Francis Dunne, 18 David Keenan (1 try).

U14

Longford U14's played away to Boyne today in the Youth Cup. It was a 12 noon start played with a strong breeze, that had both sides playing better into the wind!. Longford opened the points tally within the first minute through a good team run towards Boynes line and a converted try by Leo Temple.  The tempo of the game then followed a pattern of Shane O'Hara & Sam Mills taking the ball from a ruck, bursting through the line and off loading. The first half finished with an converted try to Shane O'Hara just after Boyne had scored their own.  The scoreline at half time was 14 to 8.  The second half saw Longford play into the wind.  Ronan Corcoran had plenty to do with the high ball and backline defence. A good run from Luke McManus onto a cross field kick was rewarded with 5 points, which was then returned in kind from Boyne. Longford added two tries through Ryan D'Arcy and a second from Shane O'Hara.  The player of the day was jointly awarded to Sam Mills and Shane O'Hara.  The final result was 29 - 15.  Longford Squad: Joel Gillanders, Ronan Corcoran, Beau O'Connor, Odhran Gray, Jude O'Rourke, Luke McManus, James Gilheany,

Sam O'Rourke, Shane O'Hara, Sam Mills, Joel Gillanders, Ryan D'Arcy, Sam Waters, Leo Temple, Martin Dooner & Adam Reen.  Stand out plays were by Shane O'Hara, Sam Mills, Ryan D'Arcy and Leo Temple.

The Victorious Longford U14 Side

U12 Blitz Tullamore

The latest round in the midlands blitz was in Tullamore this week.  Game one saw us take on Birr RFC for the first time for this team. This game was notable for the solid defence that the team had to put in on their own line.  Each time the Birr lads were in attack we soaked up the pressure and eventually managed to win turnovers. Outside of the defence we were excellent in attack moving the ball wide and creating the opportunity to score. Tries from Jamie, William, James, Senan and Daniel secured the spoils.

Shane McGuigan, Derek Belton, Tom Murray and Donnacha Golden led the defensive effort.

Our next game against Tullamore was a different affair.  We made many good runs in attack and got the scores but were very naive in defending. The Tullamore boys were quick to spot our narrow defence and exploited that.  Our passing through the hands was great during the game but unfortunately we finished on the wrong side of the score board.

Game 3 was against our neighbouring Mullingar team B. After our team chat beforehand we went out far more determined this time.  Solid defense work from Daniel Corr, James Cosgrove, Ryan Spollen, Derek Belton, Jamie Donohue and Shane McGuigan held back the opposition attacks and created the chances for our own. Again, good handling out wide helping the effort. Some great carrying through traffic from James Cosgrove earned James some top class tries and another excellent individual effort by Danny Kelly was rewarded with a try in front of the traveling support.  So two wins and a marginal loss was another good return for the squad as we prepare for a tough away trip to Buccs next week.

Club News

Minis/Youths Club questionnaire

A parents and players survey has been circulated at training sessions for members feedback. This is an anonymous survey so please complete and return as soon as you can.

Steak Night/Six Nations Rugby

Make sure to keep the afternoon/evening of Saturday March 16th free as we are hosting our famous steak evening to coincide with Irelands Six Nations match with Wales in the Millenium Stadium.  This could well be the Championship decider and promises to be a great night.  Tickets will be available soon, so don’t miss out.

Great Food/Events & Six Nations Rugby at Longford RFC

The Sin Bin at Longford RFC serves great quality and value food on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday from 12-3 and 12-7 on Saturday and Sunday.  It is also the best place to watch all this year’s Six Nations matches if you are not lucky enough to have a ticket. Booking for events such as birthdays, christening, confirmations, communions, weddings and funerals are also available.For bookings and information phone Kris on 0872872357.

4G All Weather Pitch Rental

Our state of the art floodlight Mel Diffley 4G pitch is available for rental.  It contains shock absorption so that players can play contact sports/fall over without hurting themselves.  It is also perfect for 5 a side soccer.  If you would like to book it phone Damian on 0862757103.











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