Newbridge turn the tables on Longford for vital win in the Leinster League Division 2A

Newbridge hosted second placed Longford on Sunday, with the Kildare side looking to respond after last week’s disappointing home defeat to New Ross in the Leinster League Division 2A clash at Rosetown. Longford had edged the opening-day fixture 26–22.

Newbridge showed clear intent from the start, moving the physically larger Longford pack around the park. Early pressure was rewarded when John O’Brien slotted a penalty to give the hosts a 3–0 lead.

Longford soon responded, making inroads through their forwards. A penalty five metres out saw them opt for a scrum, and their pack powered over to score and take a 7–3 advantage—an ominous early sign for Newbridge.

However, the home side hit back. Good width again brought them deep into Longford territory, and when the visitors tried to clear their lines, Mark Bennett produced a superb block-down. Captain Will Jennings reacted quickest to gather and touch down, restoring the Newbridge lead.

Newbridge looked dangerous out wide throughout the half, with young centres James Parkinson and Riain Murphy showing real promise.

A powerful break from Murphy earned another O’Brien penalty, pushing Newbridge 11–7 ahead.
Longford, however, struck again. Kicking to the corner from a penalty, their pack once more used their physicality to force over a try, moving ahead 14–11.

With the heavier Longford forwards beginning to tire, Newbridge gained parity at scrum time, and their expansive game continued to cause trouble.

Sustained pressure was eventually rewarded when Mark Bennett crashed over near the posts, giving Newbridge a deserved 18–14 lead at the break.

The interval seemed to rejuvenate Longford, whose scrum dominance returned. They spent the early stages of the second half camped inside the Newbridge 22.

The home side defended superbly for long periods, but the resistance was eventually broken as Longford crossed to lead 19–18 after a missed conversion.

Newbridge continued to find joy out wide, with Parkinson frequently putting Murphy into space. Their pressure earned another O’Brien penalty, and a further kick stretched the lead to 24–19 entering the closing stages.

Longford threw everything at Newbridge in the final moments and again set up camp in the 22.

With the clock in the red, they went for the winning score—but heroic Newbridge defence held them up over the line, sealing a massive home victory.

It was a superb game of rugby and a massive boost to Newbridge’s league campaign. The win lifts them to fourth place ahead of next Sunday’s trip to Balbriggan for the final fixture before Christmas.

NEWBRIDGE RFC: 1. Dave Morgan 2. Will Jennings (Capt) 3. Brendan Commane 4. Jack Moore 5. Stephen McElligott 6. Scott McMullan 7. Mark Bennett 8. Shane Treacy 9. Kevin Commane 10. John O’Brien 11. Zack Meehan 12. James Parkinson 13. Riain Murphy 14. Gavin Houlihan 15. Darragh Whyte 16. Adam Bingham 17. Cillian Beirne 18. Cameron English 19. Donal Cashman 20. Gregor Gourlay.

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