Longford 26 Edenderry 22
It was a good weekend in cup competitions for Longford RFC’s Senior Men.
The first XV squeezed past Edenderry side into the quarter-finals of the Plate against Boyne in CPL Park next Sunday. Edenderry caused plenty of problems for Longford with their big runners making hard yards. Their forwards and backs making rucks very messy.
When Longford had the ball in hand and got it wide, they looked very dangerous, only for a handling error to undo the attack. Longford trailed 7-15 at half time.
However, Longford came back into it in the second-half. Cutting out the handling errors, scoring three tries to eventually extinguish the tough challenge of Edenderry.
Longford: L Brady, P Dardis, P O’Farrell, D Geelan, F Davis, J Geelan, M McHugh, A Beirne, F McGowan, D McHugh, J McGowan, G McDermott, C Hughes, R Shaw, R McHugh, J Murray, S McKeon, B McManus, P Molly, S Moorehead.
Provincial Towns seconds Cup Cill Dara 24 Longford 34
Longford J2 senior men travelled to Cill Dara on Saturday in the second round of the provincial towns seconds cup.
On a beautiful day, both sides gave a display of running rugby and a high scoring game ensued.
Longford were missing some regulars due to injury and unavailability called upon the services of some former underage stars who duly answered that call with aplomb.
Due to some of the travelling team getting lost on-route, the game kicked-off slightly later than planned.
Longford dominated the early exchanges with their pack playing well and roared into a 12 point lead. Thanks to well taken tries from No. 8 Daire O’Brien and second row Peader Kenny and a conversion from out half Robbie Shaw.
However, some poor exit strategies led to Cill Dara scoring a try, to leave it 12-7.
This gave the home team a big lift and they upped the pressure.
A fantastic last ditch try saving tackle from full-back Shane Farrell was harshly judged to be high and a penalty try was awarded to the home team to leave the score 14-12 in favour of Cill Dara.
A great score from Simon Moorehead from Robbie Shaw’s cross-field kick after Longford were camped on the Cill Dara line. Another score from the hosts then moved the score to 19-17 in the hosts’ favour.
More fine play from scrum-half Owen McGowan saw winger Alan Armstrong going over in the corner to put Longford back in front. The hosts hit back again to go 24 to 22 ahead with 20 minutes remaining.
Longford were under pressure deep inside their own 22 but a fantastic turnover and a lung busting run from his own 22 by Daire O’Brien led to a penalty try for the visitors and a yellow card for the home team.
The Longford lads were out on their feet! A number of the team having played for the first XV the night before.
The refs watch must have stopped, as well into the 50th minute of the second-half when Shane Farrell out sprinted most of the Cill Dara back line to score in the corner and seal a well-deserved victory.
Best for Longford were Man of the Match Seamus McKeown, Justin Forde, Daire O’Brien, Fred Davis, Owen McGowan, Simon Moorehead and Shane Farrell.
Squad: Justin Forde, Brian Hanly, Mark mc Callum, Peader Kenny, Fred Davis, Philly Dardis, Seamus McKeown, Daire O’Brien, Owen McGowan, Robbie Shaw, Jamie Preese
Simon Moorehead, Brian O’Farrell, Alan Armstrong, Shane Farrell, Cal Jones, James Cooper & Ivor Nevin.
Longford second XV travel to Naas to face their third team in the quarter-final of the provincial second’s cup on Saturday.
Senior Women
Longford Senior Women take on Wicklow this Sunday at 1pm in the second round of the Paul Cusack Cup. All support would be appreciated.
Wedding Bells
Congratulations to our Senior Men’s Captain Hubie Connolly who tied the knot on St. Patricks Day. Wishing you and Melissa a lifetime of happiness.
