No stopping Longford Rugby Club in most emphatic win over Balbriggan

Longford’s Senior Men took to the road on Sunday last after a longer break than scheduled due to their Round 12 fixture away v North Kildare falling victim to the weather the previous weekend.

 Balbriggan RFC . . . 0    Longford RFC . . . 32 

With matters now razor thin in terms of room for error towards the top of the division, the squad arrived in North County Dublin knowing that an emphatic, Bonus Point victory had to be delivered. The teams warmed up in the sunshine, but conditions changed dramatically by the time the sides re-emerged for kick-off with a full hailstorm swarming the Balrothery Grounds. The question was could Longford launch a storm of their own in the game that followed.

Conditions dictated a fractious opening 10 minutes with neither side really able to build more than 2 phases at a time it was that difficult. Both sides carried hard at each other with no real advantage being earned as the ball was very difficult to manage. 

The visitors were however comfortable overall, and you sensed that once they found their groove the game would open up. Longford were rewarded for their patience on 12 minutes when Andrew Beirne took a looping pass from 5 metres out and crashed over. The scoring finally opened by Longford who took a 5-0 lead.

The lead was extended on 25 minutes after Andrew Farrell made a trademark break in open play from deep inside the Longford 22. Having been fed off a strong Longford scrum, he took off beating three Balbriggan defenders before fixing the Balbriggan fullback and releasing League starting debutant Conor Mulligan on his outside shoulder.

 Longford’s talented young full back took possession with still loads to do from 10 metres inside his own half, but raw speed and youthful exuberance saw him jet up the wing and make it all the way home for Longford’s second try of the day. 10-0 to the Men in Black.

Longford further extended their lead on 39 minutes after a superb break from Paddy Duggan at centre who carved open the Balbriggan defence. Taking the ball hard at the Balbriggan 10 metre line, he made big ground deep into the Balbriggan 22 before releasing Shane Farrell on the wing who was stopped just inches short of the try line. 

Longford recycled the ball immediately and fed the supporting Seamus McKeown who hammered through from close range for Longford’s’ 3rd try of the day. Outhalf Jayden Boshoff converted and Longford went in at the break 17-0 in front.

Longford continued their dominance in the second half, and despite their advantage had to put in big shifts in defence to keep Balbriggan at bay. The hosts ran hard at Longford throughout but just couldn’t break what was proving to be an impenetrable Black Wall. 

Defence enables offence, and it was on 56 minutes when Longford bagged their crucial 4th and bonus point try. And what a try it was. From a ruck, scrum half Ryan McHugh cleverly turned direction of play with a reverse chip to brother Mark McHugh who brilliantly fielded the high ball in contact and managed in the same moment to feed Hooker Ronan Collum who was at full charge in support. 

With still plenty to do, he managed to make the try line despite several Balbriggan defenders “hitching a ride” as he made the final yards over the whitewash. It was a brilliant, brilliant try. Longford were now 22-0 ahead with 24 minutes still to play.

Longford bagged their 5th try on 66 minutes – Ryan McHugh again from scrum half reversing direction with an over the shoulder pass that winger Shane Farrell gathered to slide in at the corner from 5 metres out moving matters to 27-0. 

And it was fitting that Andrew Farrell after a big game got the final honours with a try of his own on 72 minutes. After a wave of Longford pick n go’s close in, the ball was spread wide for Farrell to gather and arc through the Balbriggan defence to make it a 6 try, 32-0 victory on the road.

This was a ruthless display from Longford and exactly what is needed at this crucial stage of the season. The team have gone 54-0 over their past 2 fixtures. What is most pleasing is the 2 shutouts, reflective of a mean defensive mindset that is every bit as important as the attacking points that effort rewards. 

Up front there were big games from Padraig Farrell, Ronan Collum, Andrew Beirne, Mark McHugh & Alan Crowe. In the backs, Ryan McHugh, Jayden Boshoff, Paddy Duggan, Andrew Farrell and Conor Mulligan all had telling impacts throughout. 

But it was Seamus McKeown who took the Player of the Match honours with yet another monster performance both in terms of carries but particularly defensive hits. He is the de-facto defensive team leader, setting the standard time and time again with a relentless appetite for attritional close in contact. It was another phenomenal performance from the Drumlish man.

Longford still sit second in the league with a game in hand over nearest rivals Newbridge RFC for the cherished play-off opportunity to secure promotion to Leinster League 1B for next season. Nothing but the same intensity will do as the side next take on North Kildare away next weekend in the rescheduled Round 12 fixture. 

Coolmine RFC took the League title on Sunday and it is they who will be the final visitors to Longford in the league on March 1st. Two massive games ahead with no room for error. The squad know what needs to be done.

Longford Squad v Balbriggan RFC: 1 – P O’Farrell 2 – R Collum 3 – D Quinn  4 – A Beirne 5 – J Geelan 6 – A Crowe (c) 7 – M McHugh 8 – S McKeown 9 – R McHugh 10 – J Boshoff 11 – S Farrell  12 – A Farrell 13 – P Duggan 14 –D Connolly 15 – C Mulligan 16 – B Sullivan 17 – L Brady 18 – F Davis 19 – F McGlade 20 – P Boyle 21 – J McGowan.