PST Sport

Midlands Area League

Sunday 25th August 2019

CPL Park

Longford 23

Mullingar 09

Last Sunday, on a warm and humid day with the pitch in perfect condition, Longford and Mullingar played their first competitive game of the season. It was very physical, with a higher intensity than one could expect at this early stage, clearly evidence that both squads have put in the hard yards in their respective preseason training. Longford scored two tries in the dying moments but the contest was very much alive until the last quarter as Division 2A Mullingar took on their top of Division 1B neighbours with great energy and enthusiasm.  

From the off, Mullingar were defensively aggressive. Longford were keen to move the ball and run at the Mullingar defence. After 7 minutes, a strong Darech Geraghty tackle led to a penalty when Longford entered a ruck from the side. Stuart Flynn converted to put Mullingar three points up. Longford continued to attack, their scrum half dummied to create space on the short side, but good covering curtailed their progress. Mullingar defended confidently, choosing to scrum indirect penalties and worked their way out of trouble with intelligent kicking by halfbacks Campbell and Flynn. Danny Gilleran took a hard knock and was replaced by first team debut Sean Casey, who had a fine match. A late tackle led to penalty for Longford, which was converted to make it three points each, which was a fair reflection with Mullingar forcing penalties by getting to the rucks first and the home team attacking with hard running lines at every opportunity. Mention should be made of Cormac Dunne’s inspirational tackles, and the young guns were following his example.

Mullingar responded positively and ran at Longford with intent. Stuart Flynn attached and put Eoghan Moore through a gap. The covering defensive effort went offside. Mullingar kicked to the corner but after two line outs had failed to yield a result, a further penalty was awarded and Flynn elected to convert the penalty to restore the three point lead once more on thirty minutes.  Mullingar raised the tempo and stayed in Longford territory but couldn’t quite force possession into points. Flynn missed another penalty attempt from distance. Then Geraghty won a fine line out in the Longford 22 and McGovern and Brabazon attacked. Another penalty was conceded by Longford and Flynn made in 9-3. It remained a six point advantage despite strong Longford pressure in the last minutes of a competitive and entertaining first half.

The second half started with a Mullingar scrum as Longford kicked out on the full. Longford were awarded a series of penalties, and missed one kick. Chris Fox replaced Johnny Moran. Ryan Brennan replaced Stuart Flynn. Sean Loughlin replaced Daryl Quinn. The Mullingar defence held out for a long period but sustained pressure eventually yielded a try off a ruck, the conversion was missed so entering the fourth quarter, Mullingar remained ahead 9 points to 8.

A further period of sustained attacked from Longford was resisted bravely. Chris Fox ventured offside and was yellow carded, resulting in Johhny Moran returning for Peter Mitic. Mullingar got out of their 22 and fought bravely throughout the ten minute sin bin period. Then with ten minutes to go, Longford converted a penalty to take the lead for the first time, 11-9. Mullingar did not quite get to create momentum to set up any scoring chances. Instead, the home team were fired up for the last ten minutes.  Longford scored a try in the left corner to go 16 – 9 up on the stroke of full time and then repeated the process five minutes into injury time with an overlap on the right side, this time the try was converted. Mullingar could not complain as Longford had finished the stronger team, but Mullingar can take comfort in the excellent challenge made to a team who narrowly failed to gain promotion to Division 1A last season.  

Mullingar fielded a nice blend of seasoned club stalwarts including club captain Darren Brady, Johnny Moran, Daryl Quinn, Darrech Geraghty, Cormac Dunne and Alan Brabazon along with young guns Aleksa and Petar Mitic, Dave Faulkner and Dave Lynam.  The coaching team of Thomas Campbell (head), Cormac Dunne (forwards) and Lemeki Vaipula (defence) should be satisfied that the hard work in preseason training (and defence in particular) is clearly paying off. If this squad continues to work hard and play for each other as demonstrated in this match and the Wilson's friendly last week, they should develop well in the coming months.

Team: Darren Brady (Captain), Aleksa Mitic, Johnny Moran (Chris Fox (45'), Daryl Quinn ) (Sean Loughlin (55'), Dave Faulkner, Danny Gilleran (Sean Casey (23), Cormac Dunne, Darrech Geraghty, Thomas Campbell, Stuart Flynn (Ryan Brennan (45'), Petar Mitic, Donal McGovern, Alan Brabazon, David Lynam (Ross Tormey (73'), Eoghan Moore.

Next match is Tullamore in the Midland League

Date and Kick Off TBC