Longford score emphatic home win over Wicklow

Longford senior mens team finished out their Leinster League campaign in style with a comprehensive win over Wicklow last Sunday at CPL Park in the Demesne. The victory over the team that occupy the second spot on the table shows talent of this young Longford side.

The bonus point win brought Longford’s tally to 36, equal to Clondalkin and Co Carlow, the other sides leading the table on bonus points and tries scored. The winners of the league, Cill Dara, showed the value of squad depth in topping both Division 1B firsts and seconds league.

Although Longford let the visitors back into the game on a couple of occasions they were the superior side for the vast majority of the 80 minutes. Wicklow’s fight back in the latter stages of the second half showed an awareness of opportunity, but at that point the home side were too far ahead for it to be of any real value.

Longford used their momentum effectively when in an advantageous position and although the lineout did not go as well as usual the scrum provided a great platform and the front row of John Duffy, Ronan Keith and Dylan Quinn caused lots of problems for the visiting side.

The first score came with just over five minutes on the clock. As a scrum broke Neil Farrell looked up, saw a gap and sprinted through it, he gained over ten metres before offloading to Colm Glynn. The out half popped the ball to Andy Hall who drew two defenders before passing to John Duffy, the prop then used his tremendous strength to power over the line.

Wicklow responded well, but that was shortlived and a James O’Connell quick tap brought play inside the visitors half. Glynn seemed to swap roles with Farrell who offloaded to Hubie Connolly. Running a great line, the flanker ran straight at the full back, passed left to Paul Gallogly and the captain crossed under the posts. Glynn converted and with 10 minutes gone the score was 12-0

For the full match report, see this week’s Longford Leader.