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06 Sept 2025
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06 Sept 2025
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Longford Rugby Club's clubhouse
Senior officials from Longford Rugby Club have spoken of their desire to carry out a large-scale extension of its facilities as part of a “long term investment” in the future of its next generation of stars.
The club, as revealed on the Leader’s website longfordleader.ie last Wednesday, is preparing to lodge plans with Longford County Council to install a “standalone” gym incorporating a fitness class area, reception, two changing rooms, toilet facilities and a first floor level fitness class studio.
A club spokesman said the development was, in part, linked to continued rise in demand for a sport that has broken new ground in recent times.
“Rugby has witnessed a huge growth in popularity over the past number of years, fueled by the success of the Irish and provincial teams, particularly Leinster,” said the spokesperson.
That upward trajectory has seen the club churn out upwards of 100 Senior men's players, and field two Senior teams each week, 40 senior female players and over 450 Minis and Youths, fielding four girls youth teams, six boys youth teams and mixed minis teams at every age level from U6 to U12.
“Rugby has witnessed a huge growth in popularity over the past number of years, fuelled by the success of the Irish and Provincial teams, particularly Leinster,” said the spokesperson.
“While our U6’s aren’t yet “gym bunnies” they will be the ones who will need proper gym facilities in 10+ years’ time and this project is a long-term investment in their future.
“In the short term, however, the proposed gym/fitness centre would service the needs of our current Senior men, Senior women and older Youth players.
“Rugby clubs and rugby playing schools are the foundation stones for those aspiring to play representative rugby, ultimately supplying players into the Provincial setups and then on into the full Irish squad, be that at under age level, in the provincial academies, or at full senior international level.”
The spokesperson, when contacted by the Leader, said the development was designed to enhance the club’s existing gym facility which was no longer “fit for purpose”.
Two new dressing rooms are included in the plans in order to cater for weekend home matches and regular “blitz” type events that routinely attract in the region of 200 children.
It's expected the ambitious plans will be formally lodged with Longford County Council's planning department over the next seven days.
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