The Longford Ladies aka the Canterbury Warriors took on Garda/Westmanstown at home on Sunday past.  Having played in terrible conditions the last two weeks it was a perfect day for rugby. From the kick off it was all Longford with backs and forwards working really well together and it was not long before Garda conceded a penalty which Sarah Tierney converted to give the home team a 3 point lead. Longford again worked the ball well up the field and after Garda gave a free kick away from an early push in the scrum, scrum half Nuala McGoey took it quick and managed to squeeze over the line for the first try of the match, the conversion was missed leaving the score, 8 to 0.
With confidence high the warriors started off loading in tackles and after some great team work Clionadh O’Donnell broke through several tackles to go in under the posts for the second try which Sarah converted to give the Warriors a 15 0 lead.
Longford’s lineouts worked well with Mairead Coy stealing several opposition throws, with a lots of credit going to her lifters Fiona Dowd, Leanne Early and Amanda Lennon. It was from one of these steals that the Warriors next try was scored with the ball being sent out the back line, Clionadh again broke tackles but was stopped just short of the line.  However, fast running Lorraine Connor scooped the ball up to dive over the line to make it 20 0.
The Brady sisters; Lisa and Orla were having a great game off loading the ball and running great support lines and with the ever hardworking Emma Mulvey in support Garda had no answers.  Just before half time, out half Helen Conefrey fired a great pass to Clionadh who ran a superb line to go over for her second try 25 to 0.
The second half saw more of the same from Longford with great handling causing awful problems for the Garda. Longford had to do a reshuffle when Orla Brady went off injured; Irene Murtagh moved off the wing into the pack with Kirsty Smyth coming onto the wing. Longford’s first try of the Second Half came from a Garda scrum deep inside their own 22 when hooker Sinead Buchan, who took many balls against the head on the day, again repeated the feat to give Longford an excellent attacking platform. The ball was swept across the pitch from for Kirsty to go over in the opposite corner for a try having only been on the pitch seconds leaving the score 30 to 0.
The last try of the day came from more great team work with the forwards sucking in the defence and some great passing putting Sarah Tierney into space who then powered through the last line of defence to go in for her first try. The try capped a great bonus point win for Longford and another clean sheet. Player of the match was Clionadh O’Donnell .
The warriors now have a well-deserved weekend off before heading to Wexford to play table toppers Gorey in what promises to be a great match.
Training continues every Tuesday and Friday at 19.30, new players are always welcome.