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 this weekend 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.

Mini/Youths Rugby Training is Back!

As of this Monday April 26^th rugby training from Minis to U18 is back.  Everyone is exceptionally keen to get back out on the pitch!  Unfortunately, at the moment we are still waiting on a date when Senior training can resume but hopefully more will come clear this week.  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 the below is changeable depending on demand and government regulations.

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 

Leinster Summer Camp

A great highlight of the Summer at the club is the Leinster Rugby Camps for 6-12 year olds, where they can learn to play rugby the Leinster way in a fun environment.  The camps have sold out in practically every other venue in Leinster. Luckily, there are a few places still left in the Longford Camp, which takes place from July 12^th-16^th, so log on at the link below and grab your place before they are all gone!  https://www.leinsterrugby.ie/tickets/summer-camps/ 

IRFU Return to Play Road Map

The IRFU published a return to playing rugby road map for the coming 21-22 season, which can be found below.  The aim is to get back playing rugby from August. 

Irish Women

The Irish Women rounded off their truncated Six Nations Campaign with a great win 25-5 versus Italy to finish third overall behind Champions England and Second placed France.  Seven’s star Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe grabbed two tries with Irelands other by hooker Cliodhna Maloney.  Ireland can now look forward to the World Cup qualifiers with a lot of positives and confidence after two good wins versus Wales and Italy.  

Rainbow Cup

The first round of the Rainbow Cup was overshadowed by the somewhat inevitable announcement that the South African sides would now not be able to travel to Europe due to the Covid risk.  The competition was therefore split into two with the European sides competing against each other and the South African sides doing the same.  The weekend kicked off with a great game in Belfast between Ulster and Connacht, where then men from the West snatched a great 24-26 win with a try from Peter Sullivan well into injury time.  In the RDS Munster managed to end their run of seven straight defeats by over turning an under strength Leinster side who played most of the match with their fourth choice half backs.  Undoubtedly, the Rainbow Cup offers Munster a chance for Silver Ware, where Leinster eyes are firmly on their Champions Cup Semi-Final away to Ronan O’Gara’s La Rochelle next Sunday at 3 PM.  Leinster should be back to full strength for their trip to France and will be going all out to try and take a step to their fifth title.  However, La Rochelle will be no easy proposition and are playing a great swashbuckling brand of rugby, which is sure to make for a great game against the Pro-14 Champions.  Leinster are undoubtedly favourites but will have to be at the top of their game to turn over what are the coming French side.

Work on state of the art 3G Pitch resumes

Construction work on our brand new state of the art fully artificial 3G pitch recommenced last week after the Covid shut down.  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.

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.