Ireland’s rugby squad finally get the opportunity to bounce back from the opening Six Nations defeat to Wales this week.

Longford’s promotion credentials were given a timely shot in the arm last Saturday evening as Glenn Ryan’s charges maintained their 100 per cent unbeaten record in Division 3 of the National Football League when seeing off a below par Cavan side at Kingspan Breffni Park.

Longford manager Glenn Ryan admitted it wasn’t pretty and there’s a lot to improve on but the main objective was achieved on Saturday evening last in Breffni Park; a win against Cavan to make it full points from two games in Division 3.

Glennon Brothers, Pearse Park on Saturday next (throw-in 2pm) is the venue for a fascinating All-Ireland Club Senior semi-final clash between neighbouring clubs, separated by the river Shannon, as St. Brigid’s, Kiltoom fly the Roscommon and Connacht flags while Garrycastle, Athlone carry the Westmeath and Leinster banners.

Leitrim had to fight like tigers at the end to defeat Carlow in a nail biting finish to Sunday’s thrilling Division 4 game in Dr. Cullen Park where the visitors collected their first league points this season.

Despite producing a spirited performance in the slim hope of causing a major upset, Ballymahon Secondary found the going too tough against Gallen Community School, Ferbane in the Leinster Vocational Schools Senior ‘A’ Football Championship quarter-final and ended up losing by nine points.

Ireland rugby star Cian Healy’s amongst the country’s international rugby stars trying to get their head around one of the most bizarre weeks ever in the sport.

Longford . . . . . 0-10 Cavan . . . . . 0-7

Gallen Community School, Ferbane . . . . 2-10 Ballymahon Secondary School . . . . 1-4

As preparations continue for the start of the new Airtricity League season the Leader can reveal that Longford Town will welcome back a former star with Alan Kirby set to sign a new deal at Flancare Park.

After crashing to a crushing 11 points defeat (2-16 to 0-11) when the counties clashed in the opening round of the All-Ireland Championship Qualifiers last season, Cavan will be really fired up on this revenge mission and Longford could be hard pressed to get a result in Round 2 of the National League.

It took Longford quite some to assert their superiority over Offaly in the opening round of the National Football League at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park on Sunday last but they eventually got their scoring act together in the second half to run out easy winners by the wide margin of 13 points in making a great start to the Division 3 campaign.

It was the start Longford manager Glenn Ryan wanted; a good performance and a win against Offaly in the opening game of their Division 3 campaign.

Cavan senior football manager Val Andrews offered no defence for his defence last Sunday as 14-man Wexford won pulling up in the opening round National Football League Division 3 clash at Wexford Park.

The Longford ladies scored a convincing win against a Louth side that lacked fitness and cohesion in the opening National Football League Division 4 game at a wet Emmet Park, Killoe on Sunday last.

With just a six day turnaround between their late defeat to Wales and their next game against France, Ireland are back down to business as they look to get their Six Nations campaign back on track.

Longford . . . . . 2-15 Offaly . . . . . 0-8

A video preview for Sunday’s Ireland V Wales Six Nations clash featuring Stephen Ferris and Jerry Flannery

Former Aussie Rules player Michael Quinn and Abbeylara forward Robbie Smyth will make their league debuts for Longford at home to Offaly in the Allianz Football League Division Three encounter at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park this Sunday (throw-in 2.30pm).