Robbie Henshaw launches The Precision Health Park

By Thomas Lyons

“I played Gaelic football across the road from here for Westmeath a couple of times against Longford,” said Robbie Henshaw, pointing up hill from Longford Rugby Club to Pearse Park.

The Leinster and Ireland centre is visiting the midlands town for the rededication of the home of Longford rugby to The Precision Health Park.

The club drafted in the talented player who has worn shirts for Buccaneers, Connacht, and the British and Irish Lions for the big day: “I have some good connections to Longford. My dad played here when I was a child. I also played a few underage blitzes here when I was younger.”

It was a good day for the midland's club. The previous night they picked up the Rhino Rugby Junior Club of the Year at a star studded Leinster Rugby Awards Ball held in UCD’s O’Reilly Hall.

The Longford RFC's clubhouse facilities and the 4G pitch all contributed to that win. Robbie says it's indicative of the voluntary commitment of many clubs in the province: “There's a lot of good clubs around the province. It's great to see the work that's being put in recognised by Leinster.” The Coosan man says his professional commitments means he is not as involved in grass roots rugby as much as he once was: “I had more involvement when I was back in Connacht. When I left school, I'd always be around the club. “My uncle and my dad are involved with Buccaneers. The club is in a bit of a transition phase at the moment. They've had a couple of tough years being relegated, but I think they're now investing in the younger players now.”

While he may not be on the ground he still maintains an interest in his club: “The under-20s team is very promising. They won the Connacht Cup this year. I think they're going to try and retain those players to bring them on to the senior team and to build again. “We were 1A in the AIL for many years and we've dropped down a couple of divisions. That's a bit disappointing, but it's about regrowing and bringing up the youth in the club. It's exciting as well.”

The fact that Bucs straddling two provinces and have historically attracted players from all over is something Robbie hopes will contribute to a rebuilding: “I suppose they had the catchment of a lot of different areas. Players came from Offaly, from Longford and a lot of towns outside of Athlone. We've just slipped down the ladder a bit the last few years.

“Bucs had a good recruitment system where they'd sign a couple of overseas players just to help strengthen the team. I don't think we've done it as much over the last few years. Hopefully now we can back our younger under-20s guys to make the step up and bring them back to where we were before.”

Westmeath have three vibrant rugby teams in Mullingar, Midland Warriors in Moat and Buccaneers. The popularity of the sport is steadily increasing, with the number of underage players, both make and female, continuing to swell.

That said it's still a minority pursuit. Robbie says the next Ireland international the county produces may already be togging out: “You have to realise that rugby probably isn't the number one sport in Westmeath. It's all Gaelic really. Athlone town has soccer on the up as well. “I think it's a very competitive county with different sports vying for attention. I remember playing guys coming with their GAA skills and they'd always add great value to a rugby team.

“I think that's a unique thing as well that we have such good athletes around the county that if we can get some Gaelic players in, it'd definitely strengthen us.”