Longford Rugby Club suffer slender defeat at home against Athy

Longford RFC . . . 13    Athy RFC . . . 14 

In a League campaign that has to date proved frustrating in terms of return for effort, the visit of Athy would prove a real test as to the ability of this team to compete at the ultra-competitive Leinster League Division 1B table. The skies above presented an intimidating mix of threatening weather fronts as the teams took to the pitch to lock horns in what promised to be a high intensity encounter.

Like most matches so far this season, it was the opponents who were gifted early momentum when a penalty was awarded in the first minute of play just outside the Longford 22. The Athy scrumhalf Craig Miller slotted cleanly to give Athy a 3-0 lead.

 Longford responded well and were themselves awarded a penalty on 3 minutes on the Athy 10 metre line. Longford elected to kick to the corner, gained clean possession before launching multiple driving phases through the forwards at the Athy line. 

A penalty was awarded to Longford which they elected to scrummage instead of attempting the 3 points. The scrum was turned over by Athy who escaped what was quality phase play by the home team. However, this was to prove early evidence of questionable game management by the home team and a lack of decisive execution when points were on offer.

Athy were also cleverly utilising the contact area to hold up attacking Longford players resulting in several turnovers that really should and could have been avoided. Each occasion energised the visitors and frustrated the home team who were competing toe to toe but getting no reward for their efforts.

 Indeed, Athy began to show why they are one of the  most respected teams in the league as they began to spread the ball cleverly between their aggressive pack and dynamic back line. Up front No. 8 Aaron Rowan was leading the charge with scrum-half Craig Miller omnipresent both in terms of quickly releasing his backline and indeed keeping Longford honest with several individual breaks made from the breakdown.

On 19 minutes Athy stretched their lead further to 6-0 after pressurising Longford into conceding another penalty after several phases of attack. Craig Miller punished a Longford infringement with a clean strike to land his second penalty of the day. 

Longford responded immediately with another assault on the Athy line with big carries from Andrew Farrell, Seamus McKeown and Fred Davis. Lolu Adejinmi was ultimately held up over the line to give Athy another escape. 

However, from the resulting kick Athy were penalised to give Longford an opportunity to finally get on the scoreboard. Ryan McHugh took the 3 points with a kick from just outside the Athy 22 to make it 6-3 to the visitors. Longford repeated this on 27 minutes with another Ryan McHugh penalty to level the match at 6-6. 

On 36 minutes Longford moved the ball wide from inside their own half with a crisp attacking break to release the impressive Andrew Farrell  on the wing who made serious yardage before being caught by the scrambling Athy defence. However, Longford knocked on at the resulting breakdown to hand back possession to Athy and gift another escape from what should have been further sustained pressure from the home side. 

Indeed, Longford had another late penalty attempt just before half-time after a clever chip and chase by full back Ian McCormack saw him taken out late. Unfortunately, Ryan McHugh missed the resulting penalty and the chance to take a 9-6 lead into the break.

 In fact Longford were then awarded a second penalty just before the break but frustratingly for Ryan McHugh this was also missed. The sides instead went into the break all square at 6-6.

On 48 minutes, Athy returned a Longford clearance to nail a 50/22 that resulted in their retaining possession for an attacking lineout. However, Longford spoiled the visitors' set piece to allow a scramble clearance from Ryan McHugh. 

Athy launched again from the resulting play with an incisive backs move which was well held up by brilliant last-ditch tackles from Packie Molloy and Ryan McHugh which resulted in an Athy knock on and possession back to Longford under their posts. Longford escaped with a fine clearance from Ian McCormack from behind his posts.

For the next 10 minutes both Athy and Longford exchanged momentum, possession and territory equally as the game turned scrappy with neither team taking ownership of proceedings. Up front it was Lolu Adejimni, Josefa Rokotakala, Mark McHugh and Packie Molloy who led the fight for Longford at the coalface with big contributions both in attack and defence.

 In the backs Joe McGowan put in a very committed shift at outside centre. On 63 minutes flanker Mark McHugh thwarted the Athy winger Andrew Doyle with a last-ditch cover tackle into touch on the 5 metres line However, the referee pulled play back to a penalty advantage from just outside the Longford 22. Ever dependable Athy scrumhalf Craig Miller calmly slotted the penalty to give the visitors a 9-6 lead.

The ultimately decisive play of the game then came on 66 minutes after Athy secured possession from a lineout just inside the Longford half. The visitors moved the ball impressively over several phases that swung from one side of the pitch to the other with both backs and forwards changing the point of attack smartly to stretch the Longford defence. 

In the end it was winger Andrew Doyle who was put through at the Tennis Club corner to finish for the opening try and move the scoreboard to 14-6 in favour of the Kildare side. The touchline conversion was missed.

Longford again responded bravely and immediately camped in the Athy 22. After multiple phases of good play, a backs move broke down on 70 minutes that again let Athy off the hook and gifted yet another easy escape. On 72 minutes Longford were awarded a penalty centrally just inside the Athy half.

 The home team elected to kick into the 22 when arguably attempting the 3 points on offer would have been the better option given 3 points either way if a late try was to come and give the home team the chance to take a late victory. 

Instead the kick to corner was chosen and from the resulting maul it was Athy who were given the benefit of the referee's decision. Another visit to the opponent’s danger zone and yet another easy escape for Athy.

Longford were penalised on 77 minutes when Josefa Rokotakala was shown a yellow card for a late hit on the Athy centre to make the comeback even more difficult for the home side. Athy kicked deep into the Longford 22 and launched multiple waves of aggressive attack in an attempt to put the game away. But Longford dug deep in defence and managed to exit after several brave scrambles. 

Andrew Farrell led the escape on 78 minutes with a brilliant break from well inside his own half to surge Longford forward and out of trouble. From the resulting phase Longford were awarded a penalty which Ryan McHugh took in an attempt to bring the scoreboard to 14-9 and secure at least a losing bonus point for the hosts. 

However, uncharacteristically McHugh missed this attempt by striking the upright to the left. Danny McHugh made a brilliant tackle on the receiving Athy back as he looked to escape resulting in a loose ball that Fred Davis agonisingly lost with the try line at his mercy. 

As the contest looked to be over, Longford were awarded a penalty which they decided to run from the Athy 5 metre line. Longford successfully protected possession through multiple pick and go’s through the forwards before Danny McHugh released the imperious Andrew Farrell who had moved into first centre. 

Farrell  took no prisoners as he powered through a gap in the Athy defence to finally land Longford’s opening try which was converted by Ryan McHugh. It was fitting that he scored the long-awaited try after a comprehensive Man of the Match performance. Scoreline 14-13 with only the final play left. Alas, it wasn’t to be and the referee sounded the whistle much to the visitors relief.

It will be game management and execution that the players and management will reflect on as this was a game that was there to be won. However, great credit must be given to Athy who overall produced a  solid performance and most importantly took the majority of their chances when they presented themselves. Longford could learn a lot from this element alone.

Longford travel away to Boyne RFC in Drogheda on Sunday next  12th November for Round 6 of the Leinster League campaign. All support greatly welcomed and appreciated.

Longford Squad v Athy:  1 – S McKeown 2 – R Collum 3 – L Adejinmi 4 – J Rokotakala 5 – M Gray 6 F Davis  7 – M McHugh 8 – P Molloy 9 – F McGowan 10 – D McHugh 11 – A Farrell 12 – R McHugh 13 – J McGowan 14 – C Casey 15 – I McCormack 16 – S Davis 17 – A Crowe 18 – D Tuohey 19 – E Murtagh 20 – D Masterson.