By Tommy Butler Longford RFC PRO

Senior Men

The Senior Men finally got to play another match after the recent spell of bad weather against Navan in the Provincial Towns Cup 1^st Round and they came through a tough examination to book their place in the second round draw.  The draw was made in Arklow after their match versus Skerries with Longford drawing familiar opponents Carlow at home in CPL Park on Sunday week.  A home Towns Cup fixture is always a great occasion so make sure to put Sunday March 15^th in your diaries! 

Bank of Ireland Provincial Towns Cup – 1st Round results

Edenderry RFC 15 North Kildare RFC 14
Roscrea RFC 18 Balbriggan RFC 13
Mullingar RFC 36 Boyne RFC 5
Cill Dara RFC 5 Wicklow RFC 9
Arklow RFC 18 Skerries RFC 17
Athy RFC 17 New Ross RFC 10
Naas RFC 49 Tullamore RFC 0
Enniscorthy RFC 0 Portlaoise RFC 53
Navan RFC 11 Longford RFC 24
Tullow RFC 36 Newbridge RFC 8
Co Carlow FC 17 Clondalkin RFC 10

Wexford Wanderers received a walk over from Midland Warriors.

Ashbourne RFC, Dundalk RFC, Kilkenny RFC and Gorey RFC all received byes into the 2nd round.

Bank of Ireland Provincial Towns Cup – 2nd Round draw

Kilkenny RFC v Edenderry RFC
Gorey RFC v Mullingar RFC
Longford RFC v County Carlow FC
Portlaoise RFC v Dundalk RFC
Roscrea RFC v Wicklow RFC
Athy RFC v Wexford Wanderers RFC
Naas RFC v Tullow RFC
Arklow RFC v Ashbourne RFC

Fixtures Update

2020 has been the year of the match postponements so far thanks to various storms, so the Senior Men’s end of season fixtures have been rejigged again, hopefully for the last time! 

We played Navan this weekend as planned in the Towns Cup 1^st Round, following this week is our now second last league match away to Clondalkin this Sunday March 8^th.  The Towns Cup 2^nd round versus Carlow is down for the following Sunday March 15^th, with our final league game now at home to Monkstown on Sunday March 22^nd.  Our Provincial 2nds Cup match v Cill Dara will take place on the weekend of March 28^th/29^th.  It will be on the Sunday unless the J1 XV are in action in the PTC that Sunday too, then the 2nds Cup match will be played on the Saturday.

Longford Seniors Men’s Fixtures

080320 Leinster League Clondalkin v Longford KO 1/3 J1&J2

150320 Provincial Towns Cup 2nd Round Longford v Carlow KO 3 J1

220320 Leinster League Longford v Monkstown KO 1/3 J1&J2

290320 Provincial Towns Cup ¼ Finals TBC KO 3 J1

28/290320 Provincial Towns 2nds Cup 2nd Round Cill Dara v Longford KO 3 J2

Away to Clondalkin

Longford travel to Clondalkin this Sunday for their last away league match of the season.  We travel in need of a good result as we need six points from our last two games to get a shot at promotion via a playoff.  We are currently level with Tullow in second place but they are ahead courtesy of a better head to head record this season.  Turning over Clondalkin on their own home patch is no easy task allied to the Dublin men coming away from CPL Park earlier on in the season with a win.  We expect a tough match and will have to be at our best to come away with the points from this one.

League Table Leinster League - Division 1B

League Table Seconds League (J2) - Division 1B

 Longford Women (Warriors)

Longford made the long trip to Wexford to take on New Ross and came away with a losing bonus point.  Longford now face Blackrock in a couple of weeks in the last game of the league before facing into a promotion play off on the 22nd of March for a place in Division 3 next season. 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

150320 Leinster League Longford v Blackrock KO 1

League Table Womens Division 4A

Longford Mini/Youths

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

Training.

Due to the recent very bad weather it is likely that some training will not go ahead to try and save the pitches for matches at the weekend, please check with your coaches.

Remember new players are still 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

Most teams have fixtures down for the coming weekend but due to very bad weather over the last two weekends your coaches will let you know match details as they are confirmed.

U18M v Portarlington (Away)

U18FM v Ashbourne (Home)

U16M v Tullamore (Home Wednesday Evening)

U15M v Balbriggan (Away)

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

Match Reports

It was another tough weekend as regards the weather with no matches going ahead.  Fingers crossed the start of March will herald a spell of dry and calm weather so that we can get playing some rugby!

Steak and Six Nations Rugby Night

Longford RFCs Legendary Steak Night returns for the pivotal France v Ireland Six Nations Clash, which could well be the Championship decider.  A great steak, a pint and the match on the big screen in our great clubhouse is only €25. The last steak night sold out so get your tickets soon from Matt Hanley, Barry Stewart, Tony Headon, Roy Davis, Robbie Shaw or Trevor McHugh.

Leinster v Saracens

Longford Minis/Youths are organising another trip to watch the boys in blue this time in the blockbuster Champions Cup Quarters Final v Saracens at the Aviva stadium on Saturday April 4^th at 17.45.  Over 300 have already booked with the trip now full. However, a few places may be available due to cancellations if you are interested contact Padraig Murphy asap.

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.