Longford RFC mark renaming of their ground to Precision Health Park with their guest Ireland star Robbie Henshaw

Longford Rugby Club marked the official launch of the club’s partnership and renaming of their ground to Precision Health Park last Wednesday with Leinster, Ireland and British and Irish Lions player Robbie Henshaw the special guest speaker.

The monetary value of the five year sponsorship deal has not been disclosed, however, it has been described as a 'substantial amount'.

The launch on Wednesday afternoon came just hours after Longford RFC was named the best junior club in the province at the Leinster Rugby Awards Ball.

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Longford RFC President Karen Lennon said they are delighted with the partnership with Precision Health and she gave a warm welcome to the guest speaker and Irish international and stated they were very pleased to have him in attendance.

Robbie Henshaw described how he had several links to Longford RFC and he said he was delighted to be invited to speak.

"It's brilliant, I have good connections to Longford Rugby Club, my dad Tony would have played here when I was younger and I think I played a few underage blitzes here when I was younger and I played Gaelic football for Westmeath a couple of times against Longford.

"So, yeah, there's good roots here and good connections to the club in terms of family, friends and stuff like that."

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Robbie said his dad is good friends with Pat Fitzgerald and Derick Turner and they played with and against each other.

"Dad worked here as well inn Westel cable and wire for a long time so there is good roots here and we have lots of family and friends here and it's great to be back for the launch of Precision Health Park."

Robbie agreed that having good sponsorship is important in terms of maintaining and developing high quality facilities and fostering excellent talent.

"Yes, absolutely even seeing how this club has grown with the club house, the 4G pitch, the facilities here are brilliant and I think it's very attractive for younger players to come in and play in a great set-up and hopefully there will be future Leinster stars and Ireland stars," he added.

Robbie said it was a wonderful achievement for Longford RFC to win the award for best Leinster club.

"It's brilliant, I was at the awards last night and there was a great cheer when they were announced as club of the tear.
"It's a very competitive category, there are a lot of good clubs around the province.

"It's great too see the work being put in, you recognise by Leinster and I think it's the foundation for building a good club and good teams from underage right up to the senior level men and women," he added.

Robbie said it is great to see a local club such as Longford RFC progressing well and he agreed it is important for youngsters to see players from the Midlands who have represented their country and Leinster visiting the club.

"Yes, 100% Athlone is only 30-40 minutes from here so it's not far from here and I'm very proud to be from the Midlands and to have made it up the Irish international stage.

"I definitely hope it gives younger players growing up the confidence to back themselves and believe that they can get to the international stage and even through the provincial stage as well so keep chasing your dreams."