Mullingar denied by Longford in close league semi-final

Midland League Semi-Final: Mullingar 24 – 25 Longford

Longford booked their place in the Midland League final against Tullamore after edging Mullingar 25-24 in a tense Friday night semi-final played in wet and windy conditions.

With the wind at their backs in the first half, Longford took control early. A misjudged clearance was punished with a converted try under the posts, followed by a penalty to make it 10-0.

Mullingar hit back before the break, as out-half Matias Pfaff crossed for a crucial try and added the conversion to cut the deficit to 10-7.

Mullingar struck again early in the second half when Pfaff’s pinpoint cross-field kick set up Jack Sweeney, who beat several defenders to score and put the hosts 14-10 ahead. Longford replied through a clever chip-and-chase move to retake the lead, before Mullingar’s veteran Daryl Quinn crashed over to make it 21-17. Both sides then traded penalties, leaving Mullingar 24-20 in front entering the final minutes.

However, Longford’s forward pressure in the closing stages proved decisive. After opting for repeated scrums inside the Mullingar 22, they forced their way over for the winning score to seal a dramatic 25-24 victory.

Mullingar, though disappointed, can take encouragement from strong passages of play and the experience gained by younger players ahead of their Leinster League opener away to Dundalk in three weeks.

Seven Mullingar players in Leinster U18 Interprovincial final

Mullingar Rugby Football Club is immensely proud to announce that seven of our young players have been selected to represent Leinster in the U18 Girls Interprovincial Final against Connacht, on Saturday at UCD.

Éabha O’Mahony, Orla O’Brien, Grainne Cleary and Muireann Foy were all named in the matchday squad for the final, while three further Mullingar players have also played key roles in the Leinster squad throughout the summer programme.

This is a remarkable achievement for the players, their families, coaches and the wider Mullingar community. It reflects the hard work, dedication and talent of these young women, and also highlights the strength of the girls’ and women’s game in Mullingar Rugby Club.

Club coach and proud supporter Leonard O’Mahony said: “We are so proud of all seven Mullingar girls who have represented Leinster this summer. Their commitment and hard work have been outstanding.

To see them line out at provincial level is an inspiration for all our younger players in the club, especially the next generation of girls coming through.

They have shown what can be achieved with dedication and passion, and they’ve made the whole club proud.”

Club President Ciaran Murtagh added: “This is a hugely proud moment for Mullingar Rugby Club. Having seven players involved at provincial level is a reflection of the outstanding work being done by our coaches and volunteers, as well as the commitment of the players and their families. These girls are a credit to themselves, their club and the town of Mullingar. We wish them every success.”

Mullingar Rugby Club congratulates Éabha, Orla, Grainne, Muireann and all their teammates on this outstanding milestone.