Senior Men get bonus point v DLSP, Women kick off season with a win, great weekend for Youths, Midlands U18s & Minis Fun Run/Walk

Senior Men

Longford Senior Men took on DLSP in their first home league game of the season and secured a great bonus point win to maintain their unbeaten start to the season after last week’s draw away to Tullow.  They now have next weekend off before welcoming Carlow to CPL Park on Sunday week.  After two games Longford lie in joint second with seven points.  Unfortunately, our J2 side did not have a game as DLSP were unable to fulfil the fixture.  It is very disappointing for a team with a lot of potential who managed to win away to Tullow last week against a side who have consistently been one of the leagues best J2 teams.  A possible match is being arranged for this weekend.

Training continues Tuesday and Friday at 7.30 PM, with new and returning players particularly welcome.  We would particular welcome players from last year’s U18 panel.  

Upcoming Fixtures

Sunday October 13^th Leinster League Longford v Carlow (Home) KO 13:30/15:00 J1&J2 

Sunday October 20^th Leinster League Monkstown v Longford (Away) KO 13:30/15:00 J1&J2

Sunday November 3^rd Leinster League Longford v Cill Dara (Home) KO 13:00/14:30 J1&J2

The full season calendar can be downloaded at: https://bit.ly/2KAwsrr

Longford Women (Warriors)

Longford Women played their first match of the season away to North Meath/Swords on Sunday and scored a great win. The match report will be published tomorrow! They welcome Athy to CPL Park next Sunday.  We would ask as many supporters to come down and give them your support on Sunday with the Senior Men having the weekend off.  With the Rugby World Cup underway now is the perfect time to give rugby a go!  All fitness levels, shapes and sizes are welcome.  The Warriors really are an upward curve and got progressively stronger as last season went on.  They are now ready to make an assault on the Division 4 Title and want you to be part.  Training is on Tuesdays and Fridays and 7.30.  Drop in to training for a chat or alternatively give Head Coach Nuala McGoey a ring on 0862482005.

Upcoming Fixtures

Sunday October 6^th Leinster League Longford v Athy (Home) KO 13:00

Sunday October 20^th Leinster League Barnhall v Longford (Away) KO 13:00

Sunday November 10^th Leinster League Longford v CYM (Home) KO 13:00

Longford Mini/Youths

The Longford Mini/Youth Season is now in full swing.  All teams are now back training an playing.  It was an excellent weekend for Longford with wins across the board!

Training.

Remember new players are welcome at all levels with no prior experience required.  It could be you lining out for Ireland in a coming World Cup!

Minis U6-U12 

Training on Sundays at 10.30 am in CPL Park for both girls and boys.  A full season planner can be downloaded at https://bit.ly/2NxGL1j 

U13 Male

U13s training every Thursday at 6.30 PM.

U14 Male

U14s training every Thursday 7-8.30 PM.

U15 Male

U15s train every Wednesday at 7.30 PM.

U16 Male

U16s train every Wednesday at 7.30 PM.

U17 Male

U17s training every Wednesday at 7.30 PM.

U18s Male

U18s train every Thursday at 7.30 PM.

U14 Female

U14s train every Sunday morning with an extra day per week TBC.

U16&U18 Female

U16s&U18s train every Tuesday and Friday at 7.30 PM.

Please check our website for fixtures; http://www.longfordrugby.com/clubFixtures/14013/f_i_x_t_u_r_e_s

Match Reports

U13

Our U13 team played their first youths full pitch 15 a side vs Mullingar at the club today. It was nervy enough for both sides in the early stages. Plenty of scrums to contest throughout was probably a good learning experience. The referee was busy but patient with both sides as they put short phases together.

Surprisingly, the game was even enough throughout. The lads soaked up early pressure and worked well to grind out the opening Try from Jamie Donohue, midway through the first half out wide on the right. Mullingar pulled one back before the break to lead 5-7.

The second half continued in a similar vein as the game swung between the 22’s. We were under pressure in the scrum and had a couple of kicks charged down off the back. Net result was Mullingar dotting down once more making it 5-12.

We started to pick and go out the back of the scrum and that really helped make up a lot of ground. Notable performances from James Cosgrove, Danny Kelly and Jamie Donohue. The game closed out with the lads pressing hard on the Mullingar line as Tadgh McCauley carried strongly, but alas we ran out of time!

Some nice ball handling from the lads, not bad ruck work at times too. Set pieces were reasonably good. We played narrow at times when we had wide options but will learn from the experience. Our opponents had 2 games already so fair to say it was a good game for the squad first time out this season.

Our Midlands league commences next Saturday as we are at home to Midlands Warriors.

Squad: Ryan Spollen, Mitch Clark, Shane McGuigan, Danny Kelly, James Cosgrove, Darragh Nash, Daniel Corr, Jamie Donohue, Senan Murphy, Derek Belton, Tom Murray, Mikey Glennon, Harry Byrne, Niall Connaghton, Mel Mulligan, Daniel Fahey, Tomas O’Brien, Tadhg McCauley, Matthew Kenny & Sean Ginty.

U14 Portarlington 12 Longford 29

For the Under 14’s first league match of this season, they travelled down to Portarlington, with hope rather that expectation, to seek their first away win since this batch of young men graduated to the youth ranks last year. After having watched the Ireland Japan world cup game and having been fed a hearty breakfast served up by Chris and his staff in the Sin Bin, we headed south.

The game commenced with Longford playing into the wind on a dull, but dry day.  The aim for the team today was to focus on their structure and to ensure we did not give away any early scores.  They stuck to their task right from the start and held their line for the first 10 minutes.  But Portarlington broke through and scored in the corner.  It was not converted.  Unlike in the past where heads would have immediately gone down, the troops rallied and immediately, got procession from the kick off and after some good rucking by the forwards, James Grehan saw a small gap in the Portarlington defence to score close to the posts.  Conor Mulligan was successful from the kicking tee.  As these two teams went at it, in this quite even encounter, a slight error in Longford defence, let Portarlingon go back into the lead and their kicker was successful with the kick.  The team kept plugging away and after numerous phases of controlled play, the ruck drive over the Portarlington line.  When the referee peeled all the bodies away, Jack O’Hara was on the bottom with the ball touched down, try awarded.  So the half time came with the scores even 12 – 12.

At half time Longford emptied their bench with all 7 replacements, including 4 new bodies to the game, coming on.  With John Mc Mullin, our new backs coach, directing operations from the side line, we started to get quicker ball out to the wings.  At one point, some quick feet by Patrick Murphy and some good ball retention by Oran Lyons, gave Jack Reilly an opportunity to cross the line, only to be held up.  Now on the front foot, the ball got out to the far wing where newbie, Matthew Farrell, got the ball and, with the Portarlington cover being sucked in, he used his pace to round the defence to go in for a try in the corner.  With the fresh legs from the replacements, Longford started to get on top and once again some great driving by the forwards, James Grehan got an opportunity to cross the white wash for another try.  But Portarlingon kept putting Longford under pressure and for a period were camped between Longford’s 22 and try line.  However, the Longford relentless defence kept them out and with a counter ruck regained the ball, flashed it out from midfield, once again, to Matthew Farrell on the wing, who this time spotted a gap in the middle of the Portarlington defensive line and sprinted the length of the pitch to score under the sticks and this was converted by Conor Mulligan.  Portarlinton went for a consolation score before the end of the game but Longford held out to leave the score Portarlington 12 – Longford 29.

Many thanks to all who travelled and everybody did their part to record our first away win.  Thanks also to the coaching volunteers and the “catering” volunteers for their hospitality.  We ae at home next weekend for out second Leinster League game Clane.  Training as usual this Thursday 7-8:30pm. 

U18

The disappointment of Ireland’s defeat has been eased greatly by a pleasing win over a decent Gorey.  The first half was tight but Longford were first on the scoreboard with a try from Oliver Kuponiyi. The home team doubled the advantage with David Keenan scoring leaving it 10-0 at half time. Gorey reduced the advantage with a try early in the second half but Gavin Courage Foynes crossed for 5 with Dean Rogan adding the extras. Captain Eoin Murtagh scored to put the game beyond doubt before Gorey were awarded a penalty try at the death. A great win and a great boost before next weekends’ trip to Kilkenny

Longford U15s in their new MLC Student Language Programme sponsored jerseys.

Results

Longford U15 36 Skerries 22

Longford U16 24 Gorey 12

Club News

Midlands U18s

Well done to Kevin McDonagh, Sam Burgess and Seamus McKeon who played for the Midlands U18 Side in their 26 to 18 win versus the North East last week.

Longford Minis/Youth Fun Run/Walk 

Longford Minis/Youths Section are organising a great fundraising 5K Walk/Run on Saturday October 12th. Its starts on 14.30 with the route leaving and returning to Longford RFC, where some refreshments are available after.  Please put it down in your diary and give it your support!

Great Food/Events 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.  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.