Longford Rugby Club pip Newbridge to reach Towns Cup semi-final against Athy

Longford RFC produced a heroic performance to overcome Newbridge RFC on Sunday last and book their place in the semi-final of the Leinster Bank of Ireland Provincial Towns Cup, sealing victory with a dramatic last-minute try on a sunny day in Rosetown.

Newbridge RFC . . . 29    Longford RFC . . . 36 

The all-Leinster League Division 2A clash got underway with Longford playing up the hill but benefiting from a strong breeze at their backs.

Longford started brightly and looked the sharper of the two sides early on. However, a couple of handling errors allowed Newbridge to gain territory. After five minutes, Newbridge were awarded a penalty in front of the posts, but they failed to convert the opportunity.

Despite that setback, Newbridge responded well. A clever kick-and-chase in the 14th minute paid off, as they got over for the opening try of the game to lead 5–0.

Longford regrouped quickly and began to assert themselves. In the 18th minute, centre Andrew Farrell produced a superb individual effort, bursting through multiple tackles to score and level the match. Jaydan Boshoff added the conversion to edge Longford ahead 7–5.

Just three minutes later, Longford struck again. Following an excellent phase of play with slick passing, Mark McHugh showed great awareness to pop the ball to Daithi Connolly, who crossed in the corner. Boshoff was again on target with the conversion, extending the lead to 14–5.

Longford’s dominance continued, and Boshoff capped off a brilliant six-minute spell with a dazzling, jinking run through the Newbridge defence to score the  third try, touching down to the right of the posts. He converted his own try to make it 21–5.

That surge seemed to spark Newbridge into life. They began to build momentum, winning a series of penalties and putting Longford under pressure. On the half-hour mark, Longford’s Mark McHugh was shown a yellow card.

From the resulting pressure, Newbridge powered over for a try under the posts, which was duly converted, narrowing the gap to 21–12.

In the closing stages of the first half, Longford showed resilience in defence, successfully holding out repeated Newbridge attacks. Just before half-time, they were awarded a penalty in front of the posts. Boshoff opted to take the points and slotted the kick, bringing his tally higher and giving Longford a 24–12 lead at the break.

The second half saw Newbridge RFC come out of the blocks much quicker. Within minutes of the restart, they crossed for a try and added the conversion to narrow the gap to 24–19.

Newbridge continued to fight back strongly, but Longford RFC responded with some huge defensive efforts. 

A series of strong tackles, along with a couple of crucial interceptions, helped Longford maintain their advantage during a period of sustained pressure.

Midway through the half, Longford struck again. Breaking up the centre, they moved the ball quickly out wide to Jamie Byrne, who showed great pace to dive over near the sideline. Although the conversion was missed, it pushed Longford further ahead at 29–19 with minutes gone in the second half. 

Moments later, Longford were reduced to 14 players once more. Captain Alan Crowe attempted a wrap tackle but knocked the ball away in front of the referee, leaving no option but a yellow card.

Newbridge capitalised on the numerical advantage and found their rhythm again. Over the next ten minutes, they chipped away at the deficit with a penalty before adding a try out wide, followed by an excellent conversion to level the match at 29–29.

The drama continued as Newbridge were then reduced to 14 themselves with a sin bin. Shortly after returning from his earlier yellow card, Longford captain Crowe was replaced by Barry Sullivan, but in a remarkable twist, Sullivan was also shown a yellow card within minutes, leaving Longford down a man again for the remainder of the contest.

Despite this, Longford found a second wind and began to pile pressure on the Kildare side. A sensational break from Andrew Farrell — dubbed the “Newtowncashel Express” — saw him power deep into Newbridge territory, only being stopped inches short of the line.

Longford recycled possession quickly and continued to batter the Newbridge defence. With just seconds left on the clock, they were awarded a crucial penalty. Opting to tap and go rather than take a kick, Longford drove forward in a series of relentless carries.

As the clock ticked down and extra-time loomed, tension gripped the ground. Then, in a decisive moment, prop Dylan Quinn picked from close range and powered over the line for a dramatic, match-winning try.

Boshoff calmly added the conversion, and the referee blew the final whistle, confirming a famous 36–29 victory for Longford and securing their place in the semi-final of the Leinster Bank of Ireland Provincial Towns Cup.

From 1 to 22, the Longford players delivered an immense performance, leaving everything on the pitch. The front row of Liam Brady, Ronan Collum, and Dylan Quinn worked tirelessly in the scrum and around the park, while David Geelan and Alan Crowe were outstanding in the engine room. The back row trio of Shane McGuigan, Mark McHugh, and Seamus McKeon were relentless throughout.

In the backs, Finnbarr McGowan slotted seamlessly into scrum-half, while Jaydan Boshoff impressed both from the tee and in open play. The wings of Oisin Pierson and Daithi Connolly were lively, and the centre partnership of Andrew Farrell and Ryan McHugh was exceptional. 

Young full-back Conor Mulligan also delivered another outstanding performance. Man of the Match could have gone to so many players this week, but it goes to young Shane McGuigan for his tremendous work. He was outstanding in the lineouts and around the pitch, throwing himself into every tackle and maul possible.

Semi-final v Athy on Saturday

Longford now face reigning champions Athy RFC in the semi-final this Saturday, April 4th, kick-off 4pm at Cill Dara RFC.

This match will be part of a double-header with Tullow RFC taking on Naas RFC 2nd XV in the other semi-final, kick-off 6pm. 

Longford Team v Newbridge 

Starting XV:

1.Liam Brady

2.Ronan Collum

3.Dylan Quinn

4.David Geelan

5.Alan Crowe (C)

6.Shane McGuigan

7.Mark McHugh

8.Seamus McKeon

9.Finnbarr McGowan

10.Jaydan Boshoff

11.Oisin Pierson

12.Andrew Farrell

13.Ryan McHugh

14.Daithi Connolly

15.Conor Mulligan

Replacements:

16. Padraig O'Farrell
17. Danny Ryan
18. Barry Sullivan
19. Dean Rogan
20. Nigel Reilly
21. Jamie Byrne
22. Jude O'Rourke