Longford Senior Men’s 1st XV took to the road on Sunday last to take on Roscrea RFC in round 11 of this season’s Leinster League.
Leinster League: Roscrea RFC 26 Longford RFC 40
With the momentum of two back to back wins against Balbriggan and North Kildare respectively, the challenge was for this side to continue their impressive recent form and to avenge what was perhaps their most disappointing display of the season back in October when they came off 2nd best against the same opposition in Longford. Make no mistake this was going to be a battle and the events that unfolded proved exactly that.
The game kicked off to crisp but calm weather conditions – ideal for rugby. From the off the intensity was ferocious with both sides launching into each other at a blistering pace.
A game defining event happened early when on six minutes Roscrea were reduced to 14 men via a red card for a dangerous tackle. Longford’s centre Scott O’Boyle was the unfortunate recipient but thankfully he was able to continue the contest.
Longford immediately smelt blood and capitalised via a targeted drive towards the Roscrea posts where captain Alan Crowe took matters into his own hands and burst through for the games opening try. Outhalf Jayden Boshoff converted – 7-0 to Longford after 7 minutes.
However, as can happen when teams are reduced to man down, the home side rallied and to the casual observer their handicap wasn’t evident. They stormed back at Longford and were rewarded for their efforts on 18 minutes when their Outhalf cleverly sent a cross field kick to their winger who caught the airborne ball and touched down out wide to get them in the game. The try was converted – 7-7.
Indeed, it was remarkably the hosts who landed the next blow with a try on 24 minutes when Longford failed to deal with a high kick through that bounced backwards and into the arms of their chasing winger who fed inside to the supporting player to make it all the way through and grab their 2nd try. The conversion was missed but Roscrea had created a 12-7 lead and Longford needed to respond given their numerical advantage.
This they did on 29 minutes when the increasingly influential Daire O’Brien took off on a trademark rampage from the halfway line, skittling Roscrea defenders in every direction all the way to their posts where he was somehow held up only inches short. The Longford pack however were in close support and it was Seamus McKeown who cleverly picked and dived over for Longford’s 2nd try of the game. Jayden Boshoff converted, and it was now 12-14 to the Men in Black.
Longford were now finding their groove and were rewarded for their efforts on 37 minutes when Robbie Shaw intercepted a Roscrea attack and took off as the home side scrambled to catch him. He brilliantly fed the supporting Andrew Farrell who burst into the remaining space and ran in from distance to touch down under the posts for Longford’s 3rd try. Boshoff again converted and the scoreboard swung 12-21 in favour of Longford. Indiscipline then cost Longford on 39 minutes when they received a yellow card at a breakdown. This meant that for 10 minutes both sides would be back to equal manpower.
Longford could have been forgiven to close out the last minute of the half but this side are made of brave stuff and on the 40th minute, as Longford were defending a Roscrea charge deep in their 22, Jayden Boshoff cleverly intercepted another Roscrea attacking pass. He brilliantly took off on a super run and kicked through just as he was about to be cover tackled. It was in-form Kyle Kenny on the wing who continued the chase and managed to reach the ball as it bounced into the Roscrea in goal area for Longford’s 4th try of the day. Boshoff again converted and Longford went in 12-28 ahead at half time after a frenetic opening act.
It looked to all in attendance that Longford would now push on in the 2nd half and put the contest out of sight. But Roscrea are made of stern stuff and on 43 minutes they barrelled over off a driving maul to secure their 3rd try of the game and move to 19-28. This was developing into a remarkable game of rugby, with the hosts contributing fully via a never say die mindset.
Longford however still had gears to move up and it was Daire O’Brien again who made the difference on 54 minutes when he took off on his trademark bull run from just inside the Roscrea half. Reminiscent of his astonishing try recently against Balbriggan, he surged into heavy Roscrea traffic and bounced several defenders away as he made for the Roscrea try line. He somehow made it all the way and touched down for Longford’s 5th try of the day which Boshoff again impressively converted. Scoreboard 19-35 to the visitors.
Roscrea however were not going down without a fight and again responded, this time on 65 minutes when they again executed an inch perfect cross field kick to bag their 4th try of the day, which they converted. It was now 26-35 with 15 minutes still on the clock. Too close for comfort and in the mood Roscrea were in, it was anyone’s guess what would happen next.
Thankfully for Longford it was they who had the last word when on the 69th minute Kyle Kenny made a superb individual break to gain some serious territory right when his side needed it most. He was nearly through all the way but maturely fed the ball inside just as he was about to be tackled for Finbarr McGowan to gallop in the last leg of the counterattack and bag Longford’s 6th try of the day. Scoreline was now 26-40 to Longford and that is how it finished.
Also read: Rugby: Longford grind out hard earned win over North Kildare in bruising Leinster League battle
Huge credit must go to Roscrea who contributed massively, against the odds, to what was a cracking 10 try game of rugby. They never gave an inch and went down fighting to the very last second.
However, it was Longford who came through what was a very tricky challenge, and in doing so gave ample evidence that they are a team on the rise. Up front the big performers of the day were Ronan Collum, Alan Crowe, Nigel Reilly, Kevin Rodgers and Fred Davis. Against a ferocious home pack, they never stopped and went toe to toe especially when the game was tight. The backs as a unit were superb throughout, with Robbie Shaw and Jayden Boshoff working hand in glove at halfback.
Andrew Farrell was immense at 12 with Scott O’Boyle making a very respectable debut at 13, especially given the rough treatment he had to deal with. The back 3 of Roan Bleakley, Kyle Kenny and Ryan McHugh were immaculate throughout and looked a threat on every occasion with ball in hand. Kenny especially had a big game and on any other day would have collected Man of the Match honours. However, he was pipped at the post this week by Daire O’Brien who made huge impacts on several occasions that not only dented Roscrea but energised Longford. His ball in hand strength and footwork cause havoc as does his general play in defence. A worthy winner of Man of the Match this week.
Longford will be very happy with the win and to score 6 tries away from home, especially when it was their attacking stats that held them back earlier in the season. Ruck speed will be a slight concern as will elements of the lineout and the general penalty count. Also shipping 4 tries will need to be addressed as part of this week’s defensive review. However, this was a good day at the office and the side are now 3 games into a solid winning streak.
Longford next take on Portlaoise RFC at home next Sunday, January 26 in the Provincial Towns Cup. All support is greatly welcomed and appreciated.
Longford: 1 P Farrell, 2 R Collum, 3 S McKeown 4 F Davis, 5 A Beirne, 6 D O’Brien, 7 N Reilly, 8 A Crowe ©, 9 R Shaw 10 J Boshoff, 11 R Bleakley, 12 A Farrell, 13 S O’Boyle, 14 K Kenny, 15 R McHugh, 16 B Sullivan, 17 L Brady, 18 G Mullarkey, 19 K Rodgers, 20 F McGowan
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