By Tommy Butler Longford RFC PRO lrfconnects@gmail.com 

Longford RFC Virtual 5 KM Run/Walk

Longford RFC is holding a virtual 5KM walk/run from 1st May to 3rd May (May Bank holiday weekend) to raise funds for the club.  Like all other clubs, the COVID-19 pandemic has severely restricted fundraising activities and all funds raised here will go towards the general day to day maintenance and running costs of the club, so that when the time comes to get back playing, the club is ready and waiting for us and in top condition.
Anyone can participate over the May Bank Holiday weekend and we ask anyone that completes the 5KM walk/run to make a small donation via our GoFundMe page and to ask friends and family for their support also, search Longford RFC on gofundme.com or use the following direct link: https://gofund.me/262f2d1c

Do not forget to take a picture wearing club gear if possible and tag/share on the club social media platforms so we spread the great work. All support would be greatly appreciated. Please use the hashtag #LRFC5K
Disclaimer:
All participants must follow Covid-19 public health guidelines.
All participants take part at their own risk; Longford RFC cannot accept any responsibility for any issues.

Work on state of the art 3G Pitch resumes

We have more great news this week.  The club has received permission to resume the construction of its brand new state of the art fully artificial 3G pitch.  This pitch will allow year round sport to be played on a surface comparable to Munster’s Musgrave Park.  One thing the Covid crisis has thought us is that it is difficult to make absolute promises in terms of dates.  However, all things being equal we should be training and playing on the pitch well in time for pre-season!  It’s an exciting time for the club and for this reason we ask all our members and friends to take part in the virtual 5k and raise as much funds as possible, so that we have the funds to get back playing rugby as soon as it is possible.

Irish Women

Hard luck to the Irish Women who went down 15-56 to the semi-professional French Women on the weekend past.  They now go into the tournament third placed play off versus Italy on Saturday next.  Italy have kindly consented to switch the game to Ireland due to Covid regulations in Ireland.  

Rainbow Cup

The first round of the inaugural Rainbow Cup kicks off this weekend.  It starts with a series of derbies with Leinster v Munster the pick of the opening round.  The four South African teams the Bulls, Lions, Sharks and Stormers are due to travel to Europe in Round 4, however this is still not confirmed as quarantine and other restrictions are making any such travel very difficult.  Hopefully, some workable solution can put in place as the build up to the Lions tour to South Africa continues.

1^st Round Fixtures

Friday, April 23^rd 

DHL Stormers v Cell C Sharks, Cape Town Stadium, 7pm local time

Ulster v Connacht, Kingspan Stadium, 8.15pm

Edinburgh v Zebre, BT Murrayfield, 8.15pm

Saturday, April 24^th 

Benetton Rugby v Glasgow Warriors, Stadio di Monigo, 2pm local time

Vodacom Bulls v Emirates Lions, Loftus Versfeld Stadium, 4pm local time

Ospreys v Cardiff Blues, Liberty Stadium, 5.15pm

Leinster v Munster, the RDS, 7.35pm

Sunday, April 25^th 

Dragons v Scarlets, Rodney Parade, 1pm

The return of club rugby

As things stand, we are still on track to resume non-contact Mini/Youth rugby on Monday week April 26^th.  Everyone is exceptionally keen to get back out on the pitch!  Based on the latest government announcement this will be from Monday April 26^th for all players from U6 to U18, with Seniors to return at a future date to be confirmed.  Training will be limited to pods of 15 and will be non-contact initially, with full Covid regulations, as per earlier in the season.  The IRFU have kindly agreed to extend insurance for all rugby teams over the Summer (it normally elapses after May) to allow the possibility of games to be played.  First, we will have training, which hopefully will be in improving weather coming into the Summer, with the possibility of some matches maybe in 7s/10s format later as regulations, hopefully continue to relax.  All options are open in what will be new territory for all rugby clubs in Ireland.   You can find draft training times below, if you have any questions, please contact your age groups coach.  Please note all of below is changeable depending on demand and government regulations.

Draft Training Schedule (from April 26^th)

U6-U12 Sunday 10.30-11.45

U11 Thursday 7-8

U12-U14 Girls Wednesday 7-8

U13 Boys Wednesday 7-8.30 Sunday 12-1.30

U14 Boys Thursday 6.30-8

U15 Boys Monday & Thursday 7-8.30

U16 Boys Thursday 7.30-9

U16-U18 Girls Wednesday 7.30-9

U17 Boys Wednesday 7.30-8.45

U18 Boys Wednesday 7.30-9 

Skills Challenges

Log on to our Club Community Rugby Officer Dylan Quinn’s Twitter page for weekly skills challenges from Dylan and other Leinster CCRO’s https://twitter.com/quinn_dylan

The Longford/Mini Youth Section have also launched an initiative where club coaches will be posting weekly skills challenge videos.  Log onto https://www.facebook.com/minisrfc to view these.

It is tough for everyone not being able to train but now is the time to work on your skills especially something you have always wanted to work on as hopefully come September rugby will be back in full swing.  Why not contact your coach and ask him to help you plan a training strategy which you can do from you own home?

History

We are currently writing a comprehensive history of the club and are finding really interesting information.  For example, rugby first started in Longford in 1888 and continued right up until the 2^nd World War with the club reforming in the 70s.  There was even a team in Ballymahon.  If you have any documents, pictures, jerseys or memorabilia relating to the club, please let us know by emailing lrfconnects@gmail.com or contact Derick Turner.  This week we are looking to identify any of the players whose names are not identified in the Longford RFC team from 1928.  The picture was taken in the Longford showgrounds.  Any suggestions, would be appreciated.

Stories/Website

Great news, www.longfordrugby.com is back up and running with an updated club crest, which goes back to the future and an updated header and footer.  Check out our website for all things Longford Rugby and more.  If you want to contribute articles or pictures, they are welcome, please email lrfconnects@gmail.com.