By Tommy Butler Longford RFC PRO lrfconnects@gmail.com 

Longford Rugby’s and Bornacoolas Shane Mallon selected for Ireland U20 Six Nations Squad

Congratulations to Longford RFC’s Shane Mallon who has followed on from his selection in the Ireland Rugby 7s Development Squad to be selected in the Ireland U20s Squad squad for the upcoming Six Nations that was announced last week.  This is an incredible achievement as he is among the 30 most talented players in the age group, even more so in his position of wing/full back.  Being a member of the Ireland U20s is a big step in securing a professional contract and maybe even one day played for the Ireland Senior team.  Being the true clubman that he is, Shane gave his time out from training with the Ireland squad on Sunday to Longford Minis, where he assisted with training on Sunday past.  Shane who hails from Clooncareen, Bornacoola, came through the Longford RFC Mini/Youth set up before spending Senior Cycle with Cistercian College Roscrea and is now in UCD.  Ireland’s first match is against Wales in Musgrave Park, Cork this Friday at 8 PM versus Wales.  Everyone in the club wishes Shane the best luck and are incredibly proud of his achievement.

Shane Mallon with Longford Minis

Big Game for Longford Senior Men this weekend

Longford Senior Men travel to Carlow this Sunday to face Tullow, in one of the biggest games for the side in the past few years.  Longford Senior Men have generally been aiming towards the top of Division 1B but after a promising start find themselves towards the bottom of the table through factors outside their control.  They play the team next to them in Tullow on Sunday, which is a proverbial 10 pointer, with the loser probably going to have to take part in a relegation play off at the end season.  Longford have played some great rugby at times this season and have been on the unlucky side of a lot results.  Your support would mean a lot this Sunday, with the 2^nd XV kicking off at 1.30 and the 1^st XV at 3. 

The draw for this years Provincial Towns Cup will take place this Wednesday February 2^nd at 6 PM and you be viewed on https://www.youtube.com/c/LeinsterRugbyTV

Men’s Leinster League Fixtures/Results 2021-2022

19/09/2021 Longford 09 Wicklow 14

16/09/2021 Boyne 13 Longford 08

10/10/2021 Longford 17 Cill Dara 15

17/10/2021 Clondalkin 15 Longford 34

31/10/2021 Longford 18 v Carlow 13

28/11/2021 Mullingar 22 v Longford 11

05/12/2021 Wicklow 34 v 25 Longford

12/12/2021 Longford 20 v Boyne 29

16/01/2021 Longford 48 v Clondalkin 05 CPL Park

23/01/2021 Carlow 29 v Longford 05 Oak Park

06/02/2022 Tullow v Longford Black Gates (1^st XV 3 2^nd XV 1.30)

13/02/2022 Longford v Mullingar CPL Park (1^st XV 3 2^nd XV 1.30)

TBC            Cill Dara v Longford Silken Thomas Park (1^st XV 3.00 2^nd XV 1.30)

The Towns Cup will be played at the end of the league.

Senior Women

Longford Senior Women travelled to Wexford to face New Ross with only 16 players on Sunday.  They played liked true Warriors recording a great 07-17 win.  Well done Ladies  Next up is the visit of Arklow to CPL Park on Sunday week.

Women’s Leinster League Fixtures 2021-2022

03/10/2021 Longford v Portlaoise (Conceded by Portlaoise)

24/10/2021 Longford 17 v New Ross 19

31/10/2021 Arklow 19 v Longford 07

14/11/2021 Longford 41 v Greystones 0

28/11/2021 Naas 52 v Longford 15

05/12/2021 Garda/Westmanstown v Longford (Postponed)

12/12/2021 Portlaoise 8 v Longford 5

16/01/2021 Longford 32 v Naas 20 CPL Park

30/01/2021 New Ross 07 v Longford 17

06/02/2022 Longford v Arklow CPL Park

20/02/2022 Greystones v Longford

13/03/2022 Longford v Garda/Westmanstown CPL Park

Notes

The Six Nations is here

Great excitement is building as Saturday heralds the start of the Six Nations, which promises to be the first tournament in two years with full crowds.  It is an even year when Ireland has to travel to England and France and face Wales, Scotland and Italy at home.  Ireland seems to be in reasonably rude health and have won all their matches since their resounding win at home versus England in the last match of the tournament in 2021.  The sense of optimism is further burnished by the vanquishing of the mighty All Blacks in November, along with comprehensive wins versus Japan and Argentina.  The Irish squad is at full strength with no injuries bar Ian Henderson who is touch and go for the first match.  With the amount of injuries that Wales have e.g. Alun Wyn Jones, Justin Tupuric, Dan Lydiate, Josh Navidi, Leigh Halfpenny, George North…. and allowing for Irelands current form, it should be a win for the men in green in the first round.  Saying that you write off Wales at your peril as collectively they are always greater than the sum of their parts.  France led by the incredible Antoine Dupont, look the team to beat in this years’ championship.  They also accounted for the All Blacks in November and await Ireland in the second round, which could be an early Six Nations decider.  France should have no trouble accounting for Italy in the first round, which leaves the Calcutta Cup in Twickenham between England and Scotland.  Eddie Jones side are very much in transition and will heavily rely on the young and hugely talented shoulders of out half Marcus Smyth in the absence of Eoin Farrell.  Scotland are making a lot of positive noises following a good November, where they accounted for Australia.  They always raise their game for England so the match is probably a toss of a coin.  Overall, Ireland tend to perform very well in the Six Nations two years out from the World Cup and are definitely in with a shout for the title but France are looking strong to secure their first title since 2010, although their probably will be a Grand Slam this year.

Prediction for the 2022 Six Nations

France

Ireland

England

Scotland

Wales

Italy

Time to Dust off the Boots, Vet’s Rugby is here

After receiving a lot of requests, Longford RFC are happy to launch a new Men’s Vets Rugby Team. The only qualification you need is to be over 35 and have played rugby before! We welcome all players who have played for Longford or are from the general area who would like to play some Vets rugby.

The aim is to play 5-6 games of social rugby per season following by some obligatory beers and reminiscing about how great rugby was back in the day and possibly even to play in the end of season Over-35s Cup if the interest is there.

First and foremost, it will be social rugby.

There is also an opportunity to take part in the plethora of Vets Rugby tournaments that are being staged worldwide.

With Covid restrictions relaxing, it is hoped to play a game or two before the end of the current season so if you are interested, please email lrfconnects@gmail.com or give Tommy Butler a ring/text on 0863143968.

The first aim is to form a committee to get the team off the ground, after that the direction will be shaped by what the players want.

We look forward to hearing from you and please spread the word!

Fantasy Six Nations

Great prizes up for grabs in Longford Rugby 2022 Fantasy 6 Nations League

Longford RFC Senior Men are hosting a Six Nations Fantasy League with some great prizes up for grabs.

Can you pick the perfect squad to achieve fantasy 6Nations Glory ?

Prizes

First Place : €200

Second Place : €100 Voucher for the Sin Bin Restaurant at Longford RFC.

Third Place : €50

Entry is only €10 per player and has to be paid online in advance at the link below. You can join the league right up to kick off of Ireland v Wales on Saturday February 5th.

https://bit.ly/3u2LP2S.  You can also find payment links on longfordrugby.com or on Longford RFC’s Facebook and Twitter pages.

When you buy a ticket you will receive the details of how to join our exclusive fantasy league group.

We ask all our members, supporters and friends to enter.

Thanks for your support and best of luck.

Please tell your friends and family

Appointment of Leinster Rugby CCRO

Longford RFC are pleased to announce that Aoghan Clark has been appointed as the new Longford Rugby Club Community Rugby Officer (CCRO).

As part of its commitment to rugby throughout the province, Leinster Rugby employ 41 CCRO’s who, under the guidance of the area Community Rugby Officer, work with clubs, schools and community groups to deliver tailored rugby programmes and expand the game of rugby within the clubs and schools of the province.  While promoted by Leinster Rugby, the programme is supported and part funded by Longford County Council. 

Hailing from Ferriskill, Mostrim, Aoghan has had a lifetime of involvement in sport, through the GAA, club rugby and athletics initially and, for the past four seasons, as a coach with Longford RFC Minis and Youths.  Aoghan will be linking up with schools in the Longford area to discuss the programme but in the meantime, he is contactable at longfordccro@leinsterrugby.ie should any schools wish to initiate contact with him. 

Leinster Rugby and Longford RFC join in wishing Aoghan all the best in his new role.

Sin Bin

The Sin Bin is back open this week from Wednesday January 20^th,  as per Government Guidelines.  Superb food and drink are available across the weekend (Friday to Sunday) and lunch on Wednesday/Thursday. 

Phone 087 346 4914 for bookings or email sinbinbookings@outlook.com.  Check out the Sin Bins Facebook page for update, specials and updated opening hours;  www.facebook.com/sinbinlongford/