Senior Men lose out to Carlow, Senior Women v New Ross, Mini/Youth Match Reports...

By Padraig Murphy Longford RFC PRO Ph: 087 6063587 Email:  lrfconnects@gmail.com

Men’s XV news

Senior weekend results

Leinster league Div. 1B

J1 Longford 09-22 Carlow

J2 Longford 05-33 Carlow

There was no joy for Longford on Sunday as two strong Carlow sides took on the home sides J1 & J2 teams.  Longford were very much second best on the day in the J1 game as a faster and hungrier Carlow side were more clinical than Longford each time they ventured to the red zone.  Longford had chances but lacked the sharpness required to create problems for the visitors.  Oddly enough, 3 penalties off the tee, kept Longford in the game well into the second half.  It was only in the second half Longford showed any good attacking intent with some strong carrying by Benny McManus and Kieran O’Gorman.  Ultimately, Carlow were better on the day and the final score reflected the performance.

Longford have a welcome break next week and will reflect on the lost opportunity to claim their first league win.  We are the only team yet to record a win so far in league Div. 1B.  Results elsewhere mean the gap to the joint leaders has widened to 11 points.  Both the J1 & J2 sides return to action in the first of two away games, the first away to Tullow on Sunday 6^th November in round 5 of the league.

Kick off in Tullow will be at 3.00pm while the J2 sides kick off at the earlier time of 1.30pm.

Match report to follow.

Longford;  Padraig O’Farrell, Philip Dardis, Darren Touhey, Brendan McManus, David Geelan, John Geelan, Fred Davis, Kieran O’Gorman, Ryan McHugh, Daniel McHugh, Steffan Evans, David Connolly, George McDermott, Joe McGowan, Cormac Casey, Eoin Reilly, Séamus McKeon, Ailistair McCormack, Finbarr McGowan, Henry Bryce (player coach).

Team Captain Danny McHugh pictured with Arianne Egan and Ailbhe Reilly who were our match day mascots on Sunday. 

LL Div. 1B Results & Fixtures 2022/23

Results

25/09/22 Cill Dara 18-12 Longford

02/10/22 Longford 14-20 Wicklow

16/10/22 Mullingar 27-25 Longford

23/10/22 Longford 09-22 Carlow

Upcoming Fixtures

06/11/22 Tullow v Longford

13/11/22 Athy v Longford

27/11/22 Longford v Dundalk

04/12/22 Longford v Cill Dara

15/01/23 Wicklow v Longford

22/01/23 Longford v Mullingar

29/01/23 Carlow v Longford

19/02/23 Longford v Tullow

15/03/23 Longford v Athy

26/03/23 Dundalk v Longford

Men’s Senior training continues Tuesday and Friday evenings at 7.30pm.

Ladies’ 2022/23 Season. 

Longford v New Ross Match report

Longford were away to New Ross on Sunday.  In the early stages of the game Longford conceded a lot of penalties.  However, against the run of play. Leanne Keegan intercepted a promising New Ross attack to run the length of the pitch and score under the posts.  After repeated infringement’s, Longford’s Megan Banaghan received marching orders to the bin. Longford had to defend but conceded another penalty which was scored by New Ross. In their next attack they got over the line but was held up.  New Ross then found a gap and scored under the post.

In the second half, a defensive Longford box kick was blocked down which resulted in a try. Longford restarted but were reduced to 14 once again for a deliberate knock on.  New Ross scored the resulting penalty in front of the posts.  New Ross then took full advantage of having the extra player, resulting in two tries in quick succession.  Longford finally managed to get some forward momentum, forwards and backs combined well but unfortunately were not able to get over the try line.  New Ross on the day were the better team, Longford take a lot from this game and look forward to a home game in two weeks time against Wicklow J1.

New Ross 32-07 Longford

Longford squad: Tara Gilna, Mary Sheridan, Amy Molloy, Amanda Sheridan, Rebeka Stavuse, Dora Ledwith, Emma Dardis, Jess Stewart, Jasmine Smyth, Leanne Keegan, Rachel O Farrell, Megan Banahan, Rebecca O Hara, Judy Starzynska, Tegan Evans, Caoimhe Baskett.

The upcoming Ladies Leinster league fixtures are as follows

23/10/22 New Ross 37-07 Longford

6/11/22 Longford v Wicklow J1

13/11/22 Clontarf v Longford

20/11/22 Longford v Gorey

4/12/22 Athy v Longford

11/12/22 Arklow v Longford

8/01/23 Greystones v Longford

15/01/23 Longford v New Ross

29/01/23 Wicklow J1 v Longford

5/02/23Longford v Clontarf

12/02/23 Gorey v Longford

26/02/23 Longford v Athy

Training continues every Tuesday and Friday 7.30pm.  New players welcome always.

Contact Nuala McGoey  (086) 248 2005

Membership

Membership is due for all members, players, coaches, and those who wish to play for the first time with the club. Firstly, new members should register with the IRFU on the following link.

https://rugbyconnect.irfu.ie/

When prompted, select Leinster as the Provence, and then select Longford Rugby Club as your club. Once complete, note the player number.  You are then directed to https://sportsmanager.ie/sportlomo/users/login to complete the process. Please complete each line correctly or the player application will not go live.

Have a player head photo ready to upload also.

Payment is online and must be made as part of the process.  Players are only approved and available for match selection when full payment and forms are completed. 

Your Club Your Country

Irish Rugby’s popular annual draw returns with another list of fantastic prizes. All ticket sales proceeds go directly to the club and thus is the largest fundraising event of the year.  Entry link can be found on all club social media channels

Youth News

Match Results 

U18 Longford 07-40 Edenderry

U16 postponed

U15 Longford 48-00  Edenderry

U14 Tullamore 24-24 Longford

Under 15’s Midlands League Match Report

Longford 48-00 Edenderry

Longford U15’s were back in action against Edenderry once again, this time in the Midlands League.

Torrential rain made for difficult play.  A determined run from Brian Mulvhill secured our first try of the game, converted by Conor Clarke.

Dominic Greene, supported by Liam Ruske and Diarmuid Hanly, touched the ball down for a second try followed by another fine try from Brian Mulvihill leaving Longford heading into half time with a score of 17-0.

The second half started with a try and conversion from Conor Clarke.  Finbar Thomas scored next, supported by David O Halloran, and then Conor Clarke with a second try left it 36-0.  A great break from Tadgh Rodgers with an intelligent offload to Ryan Egan led to a further try from Egan.  Finbar, who was in top form scored a further try leaving the final score Longford 48 Edenderry 0.

Some great defence by Edenderry meant that the score does not fully reflect the tough match that it was.

Aaron Walsh and Dillon Ledwith return to the team, and both played very well.  Our scrums were excellent and the work rate of David O Halloran, Conor Meadows, Liam Ruske and Diarmuid Nerney was excellent.  Our backs continue to grow in both skill and stature and good games were had by Brian Reynolds, Aaron Marshall, Aidan Kelly, Ciaran McEvoy, and Ryan Egan.

Longford: Aaron Marshall Liam Ruske Finbar Thomas Conor Meadows David Orohue Dylan Ledwith Aaron Walsh David O Halloran Diarmuid Nerney Conor Clarke Brian Reynolds, Ryan Egan Aidan Kelly Ciaran McEvoy Ben Stewart Brian Mulvihill Dominic Egan Adam Madej Darragh Reilly

U14 match report

Tullamore v Longford  

The boys Travelled to Tullamore on Saturday.

It was a poor start from the Longford team, conceding 2 tries in the first 20 minutes.  The introduction of Tadgh Fagan in the front row changed Longford’s fortune, ensuring clean ball from the back of the scrum.

Captain Sam Elliott and ethan Neary managed to make longfords first try possible with Ethan Neary bringing it over the line just before the half time whistle.  Longford trailed by 24-07 at half time.

The second half showed a change of fortune, with multiple penalties being conceded by Tullamore.  An excellent try was brought over the line by Ethan Neary, converted by Connor Quinn Kelly.  This brought the momentum back to the Longford side.  

Soon after Longford levelled the game with another try and conversion.

The Longford team then put in tremendous attacking effort in the last 20 minutes where Longford were camped on the Tullamore try line.  Longford also were awarded 2 penalties in the closing stages.  Tullamore defended well to keep us out.  Longford could have won this match, but their last and final try was held up in the final minute.  The final score was Tullamore 24-24 Longford.

Longford U14 welcome new players, born 2009. Please contact Eugene on 086 6015325.

Longford squad 1. Harry Clarke 2. Conor Mahon 3. Evan Bohan 4. John Burke 5. Jay Reynolds 6. William Nolan 7. Cian Costello 8. Finn Larkin 9. Michael Gacquin 10. Sam Elliott 11. Pietro Gino 12. Brody Corcoran 13. Ethan Neary 14. Naoise Golden 15. Conor Quinn Kelly, 16.Tadgh Fagan, 17.Eli Mulligan

Youths Fixtures 22/10/22

U18 Girls Argo v Longford (TBC)

U16 Girls Kilkenny v Longford

U16 Boys No Game

U15 Boys Longford v Carlow

U14 Boys Longford v Roscrea

U13 Boys Longford v Tullamore

Link to Leinster league and Midlands’s area competition fixtures and results can be found on the following link.

https://www.leinsterrugby.ie/domestic-rugby/domestic-fixtures-results/

Youth’s training 

Training for all youths’ rugby teams continues weekly. Longford Rugby Club field girls only teams, training from U14 up to U18’s.

Age group, coach contact details and training schedule as follows:

Girls’ teams

U14 girls - Mags McKenna  087 6309653

Wednesday 7:00-8:15pm

U16 girls – Morag Rowan 087 4135962

Wednesday 7:00-8:15pm

U18 girls – Declan Smyth 085 1375973

Wednesday & and Fridays 7.30pm

Boy’s teams

U13 – Lisa Brady 087 6119960

Monday 7.00-8.45pm

Saturday 10.30-11.30am

U14 – Declan Elliott 086 8125363

Wednesday 7.00-8.15pm

U15 – Aoghan Clarke 087 6727002

Monday and Wednesdays 7.00-8.30pm

U16 – Padraig Murphy 087 6063587

Thursdays 6.30-8.30pm

U17 – Freddie Forde 086 1727145

Tuesdays and Thursdays 7.00-8.30pm

U18.5’s – Jimmy Murphy 086 2555621

Thursday 7.30-9.00pm

New players welcome at all age groups.  Just turn up with a gumshield.

Please follow club social media for updates on our Instagram & Facebook profiles - Longford RFC

Longford Secondary Schools Rugby

Longford secondary schools, Ard Scoil Phadraig, and Cnoc Mhuire, both Granard, and coached by Danny McHugh, played their first full contact game of the season on Friday last.  While some of the players already play at the club, for most of the lads it was their first taste of competitive match rugby.  That didn’t get in the way of producing a powerful performance from both sides.

From the off it was all action with both teams eager to showcase their skills they have developed over the last six weeks. 

The handling by all players was excellent, and in particular the beginners who, for their first full contact game played with pace and style. 

The game ended in a draw at 25-25 each so for this occasion there are no bragging rights.  This needs to be earned at some point in the future, so keep it up and be ready for the next derby game!

Huge credit to Longford Rugby clubs coach and firsts team captain, Danny McHugh, who has worked with both school’s junior player in developing their talents in recent weeks.  We look forward to seeing many of the players take up rugby at the club and keep active over the winter months.

Moyne

Elsewhere, Moyne Community school senior and junior teams were in action at a school’s development blitz in Edenderry on Wednesday.  Both sides performed very well on the day with the seniors recording 3 wins from 3 games.  Further grading blitz are to be held over the coming weeks.

St. Mel’s

St. Mel’s junior team are in action today, Wednesday, against Salesians College, Celbridge.  The game will be held at Longford Rugby club.  This is their second fixture in the Leinster Schools league following a good win in game one two weeks ago.

Mini Rugby 

Our U9’s & U10’s braved the elements on Sunday morning and travelled to West Offaly Lions in Ferbane for a Midlands Blitz.  Teams from Birr, Mullingar, Midland Warriors, Tullamore, Roscrea & West Offaly Lions took part on the day and all acquitted themselves well.  Well done boys.

Our U6 U7 U8 U11 & U12 teams took to the training pitches in the pouring rain on Sunday morning.  Well done to all our minis this weekend.

As our senior teams were at home this weekend against Carlow RFC our Mini Mascot’s ahead of the match were Arianne Egan and Ailbhe O’Reilly.  Both of the girls play with our minis squads at U12 & U11 age groups.  The girls are pictured with team captain, Danny McHugh before kick off.  Thanks for supporting the team today girls

For further information on all mini’s rugby, please contact your coach or our Mini’s Co-ordinator, Pauline Marlowe on Mob - 087 632 3373.

For all teams not involved in blitz games, Longford Mini Rugby continues on Sunday mornings, 10.30am at the club.

Players should wear football boots, appropriate clothing, and a gum shield. Blade type boots are not permitted.

At Longford Rugby Club, we cater for all age grades from U6 up to U12 for both boys and girls with a girls’ team at U12. This group is for girls born 2010 & 2011.

Please note the following if your child was born in/Age Grade/Team contact:

2011 - Age Grade U12's - Pauline Marlowe 087 6323373

2012 - Age Grade U11's – Mark Quinn 085 8642266

2013 - Age Grade U10's – Colm Glynn 087 1520428

2014 - Age Grade U9's – John Healy 0879884240

2015 - Age Grade U8's - TBC

2016 - Age Grade U7's - TBC

2017 - Age Grade U6's* - TBC

2011 & 2012 Age Grade U12 Girls – Gerry Carthy 086 8046857

* Children born in 2018 are welcome to try out training with our U6 Age grade team. They should be able to take instructions as part of the group without taking too much coach time from the group.  

Membership is now due. Returning players registration can be updated on the player portal on this link

https://sportsmanager.ie/sportlomo/users/login?

New players can be registered via this link

https://rugbyconnect.irfu.ie/

For further information please contact Pauline Marlowe, Mini Co-ordinator, Longford RFC. 

Mob - 087 632 3373

New coaches are needed at the younger age groups. If you are interested in helping, please contact Pauline Marlowe or Gerry Carthy. 

Please follow club social media for updates on our Instagram & Facebook profiles- Longford RFC

Boot room

Parents - we all know how quick the kids grow up and requirements to have a new pair of boots as they have outgrown the most recent, expensive pair.  Why not check out the hugely popular Boot room here at Longford rugby club where we have a self replenishing stock of replacement boots.  The idea is that you drop in a pair you no longer need and replace it with a pair that fits your child. That way your pair of boots doesn’t go to waste and someone else gets to benefit also, thus also helping someone else save a few Euros. 

If you have any boots that you wish to donate or exchange, please bring them into minis training and drop off the office for the attention of Gerry Carty or Pauline Marlowe who will assist with selecting the replacement pair.  Boots should be clean, laces intact and no missing studs.  No blades will be taken in.  

Please note it is not possible to guarantee there will be a suitable replacement available however we have rarely not had some to choose across a wide range of sizes.

URC Comment

Connacht played out a belter at the sportsground in defeating Scarlets on Friday night.  For a long period of the game, it was nip and tuck.  A yellow card for Connacht didn’t stop them taking control in the game and then two yellows for Scarlets was the end of their challenge.

Leinster took on Munster at the Aviva stadium on Saturday and for a while it was a close match. In the later stages the strength in depth saw off a spirited challenge from the Munster men.  Leinster now have a seven point lead over second placed Ulster who have one game in hand.

The international players selected for the Autumn international series will go to camp this week ahead of the first match against South Africa on 5^th November.  This will give the extended squads an opportunity to press for valuable game time.

Pitch Rental

Our state-of-the-art 4G artificial surface pitch is available for rent. There are a limited number of slots available during the week and weekends.  The pitch includes a full-size football pitch with full sized goals or can be spilt for reduced numbers of games with reduced size goals.  For details, contact Gerry Larkin on (086) 819 5519.

Sin Bin

The Sin Bin is open for Sunday Lunch and is available for functions/events outside these times. It is also open on match days.  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/

For all Longford RFC club correspondence please contact 

Ph: 087 6063587

Email:  lrfconnects@gmail.com