Unlucky Longford RFC fall at the first hurdle in the Provincial Towns Cup

Longford RFC . . . 24    North Kildare RFC . . . 25 

In a season that has to date given Longford RFC little in return for their efforts from a league perspective, Sunday last offered a chance of some respite as the Provincial Towns Cup rolled into town. 

The visitors were North Kildare RFC, the Kilcock based Club who are currently a league division below Longford. After what had been a particularly busy weekend at Longford RFC between the Auld Blacks Awards and Irish celebrations on Friday evening, those in attendance were looking forward to a competitive fixture and the hope that this team would finally secure a win after what has been a very tough run of results. 

As the teams took to the field, what had been a consistent breeze through the morning had changed to a strong wind with very strong gusts – an element that was to have a significant impact on the following 80 minutes of rugby. 

It was the visitors who had the benefit of “the wind at their backs” for the opening half and early on they began to use it wisely. Both teams locked horns aggressively from the outset, with Longford’s Josefa Rokotakala laying down several ultra-physical markers to let the visitors know they were in for a bruising encounter. 

However, it was one of these exchanges after only 8 minutes that ended the big Kiwi’s day as he quite badly injured his knee. North Kildare took advantage of this early setback for the home side and began to build momentum – both in contact and indeed through clever use of the wind factor. 

Indeed they were rewarded for their pressure after 15 minutes when they slotted the opening score of the contest – a penalty to move 3-0 ahead. 

However, to their credit Longford immediately responded and on 22 minutes Joe McGowan intercepted the ball in his own 22. What followed was a superb sprint that required both speed and cunning as he was chased down by the covering North Kildare defence. 

Remarkably he made it to just before the visitors try line before being tackled from behind. However, he produced a superb offload to the supporting Danny McHugh who touched down under the posts for Longford opening score. Ryan McHugh converted to move matters to 7-3 to Longford.

North Kildare responded emphatically with an unconverted try followed by a penalty soon after. With 33 minutes played they had retaken an 11-7 lead. The visitors were then punished for an intentional knock on as Longford attacked – their offending player sent to the bin. 

Ryan McHugh was unlucky off the tee with his penalty kick attempt as a gust took his effort against the post for the 2nd time in the contest. It was perhaps this phase of the game that Longford will ultimately rue as with the player advantage they failed to take control of the game. 

Indeed, it was the 14-man visitors who landed the next blow on 39 minutes with another rumbling forwards try that moved them to 18-7 with the conversion landed. North Kildare were then delivered a second yellow card as the clock ticked down to half-time.

This time Longford were ruthless and marched with intent into the North Kildare 22. After several phases of pick and go, it was ever dependent John Geelan who barrelled over for an important try. The wind however gave Ryan McHugh no mercy and his sweetly struck conversion attempt was diverted by another gust. The half-time whistle sounded with the North Kildare men ahead 18-12 at the break.

Longford took to the pitch for the second half with the benefit of the wind and a man advantage given the yellow card against North Kildare was still running. However, it was remarkably the visitors who struck next with another forwards try from close in on 47 minutes that extended their lead to 25-12. 

The home side needed to react quickly if they were to gain control of the tie and find a win against what were proving a very stubborn opposition. It was from here that Longford finally went up a gear and started to put together some clinical phases between backs and forwards. 

As they moved the ball wide to the Clubhouse corner, the effervescent Daithi Connolly made no mistake as he went in at the corner on 50 minutes. The conversion was missed however but the gap was closed to 25-17.

Longford were being well served up front with Liam Brady, Alan Crowe and Seamus McKeown showing up time after time both in attack and defence. In the backs Ryan McHugh was pulling the strings cleverly as he kept the visitors defence guessing through what was now a full onslaught by Longford as they sought to take back the momentum. 

Mark McHugh performed admirably at first centre throughout and was ably supported by his partner Joe McGowan in the middle. The home side smelt blood and were going for it.

Longford’s efforts were finally rewarded on 65 minutes when Fred Davis smashed his way through for a crucial try which Ryan McHugh converted to bring matters to 25-24. Longford now had time, momentum and the elements in their favour as they hunted down the 1 point lead being clung on to by the visitors.

 Mark McHugh made a brilliant break late on to slice open the North Kildare defence and create a pathway to the corner for what would surely have been the winning score. As he sprinted to the corner it looked to all in attendance like he made it only for a brilliant scramble tackle by North Kildare’s last man. The visitors were hanging on for dear life and remarkably managed to turn the ball over shortly after and clear their lines. 

As the full-time whistle approached, Longford were awarded one last opportunity to steal the win with a penalty awarded at the halfway line. With the gusts now severe, Ryan McHugh stepped up to attempt the kick that would have stolen it at the death.

 However, yet again his brilliant attempt wasn’t rewarded with the ball being forced outside the uprights at the very last second. The whistle blew shortly after – North Kildare had bravely taken the result after a pulsating cup tie.

For Longford, more agony in a season dominated to date by the f word – frustration. It was a game that should have been better managed as the win was there for the taking.

 However, that is to take nothing away from North Kildare who deservedly took the spoils after a dogged display. Longford’s youthful side however must stick together as they will learn from this run. Talents like Man of the Match Eoin Murtagh are the future of this side and they will be better for this experience. Overcoming adversity will be a very valuable lesson for this side in the future.

Longford travel away to Carlow RFC next Saturday for their rearranged Leinster League fixture which was postponed recently due to storm Isha. All travelling support is greatly appreciated.

Longford Squad v North Kildare:  1 – S McKeown 2 – C Craig 3 – L Brady 4 – F Davis 5 – J Rokotakala 6 – R Collum  7 – A Crowe 8 – E Murtagh 9 – R McHugh 10 – D McHugh 11 – F McGowan  12 – M McHugh 13 – J McGowan 14 – R Shaw 15 – T McGann 16 – S Davis 17 –  L Adejinmi 18 – J Geelan 19 – D Connolly 20 – L Gutal.