Senior Men

Midland League Final

An understrength Longford team took on Mullingar in the Midland League Final for the Chris Glennon Cup on Sunday December 29^th.  Roscrea RFC hosted the match where the hosting club also took on Tullamore in the Bowl Final.  Longford got off to a slow start playing against the wind and went into half time with a 24-10 deficit to overcome.  Although Longford played much better in the second half and were on top in the forwards, unfortunately Mullingar’s better prowess out wide proved the difference with Longford surrendering the title, after it making its home in Longford for the last three years.  Overall it was a good workout in time in preparation for the resumption of the Leinster League on Sunday January 12^th.  

Leinster League

Longford Senior Men’s Teams are back in action in the Leinster League this Sunday.  As regards the league there are five matches remaining.  The good news is that all is still to play for.  The J1 team are now most probably competing for second place as Monkstown are currently thirteen points clear of Longford at the top.  However, second place still has the big prize of a play off for promotion to Division 1A.  However, Longford are in an almighty scrap for second place with Carlow and Tullow.  All of Longford’s last five matches now take on knock out rugby status starting this Sunday with a tough trip to Carlow, one of the sides in the promotion shake up with Longford.  It will take Longford’s best performance of the season so far to come way from Oak Park with a win and the Senior Men will be training hard until then with that match in mind.

As regards the J2 XV, they have had a great season and have won every match to date.  They sit on top, three points clear, with a game in hand over all the other sides.  Carlow are also one of the J2 Men’s main rivals but in this case for honour of being League winners.  So overall the trip to Oak Park is a big one for both sides.

Carlow Preview from Longford RFC Senior Men’s Head Coach Glenn Baskett

“So we continued this week to prep for Sunday on the road. There’s no running from the reward in this one, both teams have their own motivations. We were schooled here last season, and we know they are well coached, well drilled and extremely difficult to break down, you earn every point you get. Personally, there’s a lot of motivation in this one, but you’ve gotta park that emotion from our last visit here and focus on getting our game right. We have been good in patches this season, but only in patches so we are looking at the why there. But we sat down as a group and have been pretty honest and the boys are looking forward to the week, us coaches are up for it and are enjoying hitting reset and going again after Xmas. The good thing for me is no one is looking past Sunday, it is Sunday on the road and nothing more.”

Upcoming Fixtures

Sunday January 12^th Leinster League Carlow v Longford KO 13:00/14:30 J1&J2

Sunday January 19^th Leinster League Longford v Monkstown KO 13:00/14:30 J1&J2

Sunday February 2^nd Leinster League Cill Dara v Longford KO 13:30/15:00 J1&J2

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

League Table Leinster League - Division 1B

League Table Seconds League (J2) - Division 1B

Longford Women (Warriors)

Longford Women took on Cavan in a friendly on Sunday, which was a good workout in preparation for the final match of the first phase of the Leinster League away to Blackrock on Sunday.  Longford Women have had a great season so far and sit on top with six wins out of eight.  They are still well placed to battle for promotion with the league splitting into top and bottom conferences after this week’s match.   

Longford Women welcome new players throughout the season with all fitness levels, shapes and sizes are welcome.  The Warriors really are on an upward curve and are making an assault on the Division 4 Title and want you to be a 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 January 12th Leinster League Blackrock v Longford KO 13:00

Leinster League Women’s Division 4

Longford Mini/Youths

Longford U7/U8 Squad

The Longford Mini/Youth Season is now in full swing.  All teams are now back training and playing.  

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.

U17s&18s Male

U17/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.

Fixtures

U18M v Portarlington (Away)

U18FM v Ashbourne/Balbriggan (Home)

U16M v Kilkenny (Away)

U16FM v North Meath (Away)

U14FM v Suttonians (Home)

U13M v Carlow (Away)

U7-U12 Training (Saturday)

Minis/Youths trip to Leinster v Lyon (Sunday)

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

Match Reports

Things got back into full swing for our Mini/Youth Teams after the Christmas/New Year’s break with lots of matches.

U18

The first game of 2020 for Longford U18’s was a double header Leinster/Midland league fixture away against Tullamore “B” in Tullamore. The match ended all square 5 - 5 with both tries coming in the second half of the game and both teams not converting.  Longford played close to perfect defence for most of the game winning the ball back several times from scrums, rucks and a maul. As a result, possession was all Longford’s but Longford failed to get the ball wide quickly enough allowing Tullamore to recover and dull the attack. It was Tullamore that scored first after turning over a Longford attack.  However, Longford replied with a try by Jonathan Johnson who carried nearly thirty yards to score. Before this Longford had a try ruled out by the referee who adjudged the ball was held-up.  Tullamore tried a drop goal with practically the last kick of the game which went wide and the game ended 5 - 5.

Longford play Portarlington away next Saturday January 11^th.

U16

Longford U16s beat Portlaoise 31 12 in a Leinster League at home.  It was a great start to Phase 2 of the league with our best performance to dat.. All 22 lads contributed to a comprehensive win but we are disappointed to see Paddy Gill leave the field with suspected concussion. We wish him well in his recovery.  Tries came from Padraic Boyle x 2, Dean Rogan, Kevin Byrne and Eoin Murtagh. David Keenan kicked well converting three tries.  Next up is an away trip to Kilkenny next Saturday.  Thanks to all for their support and catering.

U15

Longford U15s went down 36-17 to Seapoint away from home.

U14

Longford U14s took on Portarlington in CPL Park on Saturday in the Leinster league and the result was a convincing victory with the home side running in seven excellent tries.  Longford went on the offensives from the off and the first try was scored by all action No. 8 Olan Bracken in the corner with assistance from Conor Mulligan and Rian Brown in a well-executed move on the short side and while Rian missed what was a touchline conversion, he would go on to convert four of remaining six tries in only his second start in the number 10 jersey.  The emphasis for the home side was to improve in their tackling on the day and that worked to their advantage when, having tackled hard individually and collectively while Portarlington were on the attack, Matthew Farrell, playing at 13, picked up a ball deep in the Longford half and ran the length of the pitch beating numerous defenders to score under the posts. Rian Browne again kicked the conversion.  Portarlington never let their heads drop and came back for a try at the clubhouse end which went unconverted but Longford came storming back with further touchdowns from Olan Bracken and scrumhalf Conor Mulligan with a significant “assist” from Matthew Farrell.  Portarlington struck back with a well-executed try under the posts before the home side finished the half strongly with an excellent score from Captain, Ciaran Heffernan, converted by Rian Browne to go in at 31 – 10.  At half time, Oran Lyons, Christopher Trautt, Dylan Vance, John Sheridan, Patrick Murphy and Wayne Armitage came on as replacements and they must take great credit for keeping up the high level performance with the result that although the Portarlington started strongly with an unconverted try, Longford again began to dominate possession and territory.  That pressure told when Matthew Farrell ran in another try at pace converted by Conor Mulligan and after superb tackling by Patrick Murphy on the right wing forced a turnover and kept the ball in the Portarlington half, the final try of the morning was eventually scored by Rian Browne celebrating his past outings in the pack by dragging a number of defenders over the line to touch down under the posts before kicking the conversion to leave the final scoreline at 45 – 15.  While there will always be room to improve in every facet of the game, it must be said that this was a fine performance from everyone on the U-14 panel who have shown great ability in attack and an impressive attitude under pressure and the club can be rightly proud of them.  Thanks to all of the stalwart parents who come out in support and were there in force again on Saturday and to the committed club members who keep us all fed on home days.

U13

Longford U13s lost out to a strong Navan team 10-39. The U13s had their usual poor start but had some good periods in the first half and a competitive second half which was 10-10.

Well done Matt, Jimmy, Kenny, Jimmy John on your team’s performances.

U12

Longford U12s travelled to Carrick on Shannon to play a very strong and physical Carrick team but Longford walked away with a good victory everyone played very well.

U11

Longford U11s travelled with two teams to a blitz hosted by Carrick-on-Shannon RFC. Both teams showed great tenacity with tremendous tackling and defence. They showed some great attacking rugby, running well into the opposition territory. A great day and thanks to our hosts for a very enjoyable day of rugby.

Longford to play at half time during Leinster v Lyon Match

Leinster made it 14 wins on the bounce after their big win v Connacht in the Leinster League on Saturday.  They have won all their matches in their Champions Group so far and have already qualified for the knockout stages.  However, their attention now turns to amassing as much points as possible to try and secure home quarter and semi-finals.  They take on French side Lyon this Sunday in this regard.  Over 200 Longford RFC Mini/Youth Players and Parents will be travelling to the RDS on Sunday to show their support for Leinster and Longford U12s will feature in the half time match.  We will have some pictures next week.

Great Food/Events at Longford RFC

The Sin Bin at Longford RFC serves great quality and value food on 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.

Longford U9 Squad