Longford’s Provincial Towns Cup aspirations were abruptly halted in the first round by Wicklow at CPL Park at the Demesne last Sunday.  Spectators were treated to a rip roaring contest, describes as “one of the best Towns Cup clashes at CPL Park”.

Longford RFC Squad

Wicklow RFC Squad

The large contingent of Wicklow supporters who made the journey shows the significance of this competition to all involved.  Going into the game it was honours even, each team chalking up a win over their opponent in the two previous encounters this season.

Longford were hoping that home advantage would work in their favour this time out, but the travelling fans were as vocal as the home contingent. This was the quintessential cup tie with both teams going hell for leather for the 80 minutes.

The first score of the game came following an offside infringement on the ten minute mark by a Longford player.  The visiting kicker overcame the unpredictable gusting wind to set out the Wicklow stall.

The away side followed this up with a converted try on the 30 minute mark.  Just before half time Longford managed to shorten the deficit when Colm Glynn booted home a penalty in the windy conditions.  The score stood at 03-10 at the break.

Shortly after the restart the visitors pushed further ahead with a penalty, but Longford again shortened the margin thanks to Glynn’s kicking leaving it 06-13.  As the game played into the last quarter Longford threw everything at the men from the garden county.

Attack after attack was repelled by the visitor, but Longford continued to pile on the pressure.  In the final minutes Wicklow had two players consigned to the sin bin for repeat infringements, but still managed to stave off the Longford attack.

The binning saw the scrums go uncontested, but even with the two man advantage the home team were unable to unlock the Wicklow defence.  Longford will be very unhappy with the way the game played out, but the final score did not reflect the effort put in.

On the day there were fine performances from Colm Glynn, Shane Rodgers, Captain Clifford Richardson and Derek Farrell.   Longford now have the plate competition to contend with as well as two important league games before the season concludes.

Dylan Quinn, Ronan Keith, Liam Brady, Benny McManus, Aaron Beirne, Hubie Connolly, Clifford Richardson, Derek Farrell, Shane Rodgers, Colm Glynn, David Flynn, Kurt Beeney, James Connolly, Lorcan Connolly, Ciaran Kennedy

Justin Forde, Fergal McGlade, Ailister McGowan, Neil Farrell & Dan Sweeney