| Flipeadoiri Longfoirt | |||||||||||||
| Founded: | 1954 | ||||||||||||
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| County: | Longford | ||||||||||||
| Nickname: | The Rashers, The Pretty Boys | ||||||||||||
| Club colours: | Blue and White | ||||||||||||
| Grounds: | Michael Fay Park | ||||||||||||
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| Senior Club Championships | |||||||||||||
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Longford Slashers are a Gaelic Athletic Association club located in Longford, County Longford, Ireland.
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Longford Slashers were formed in 1954 when Shroid Slashers and Longford Wanderers amalgamated. Longford Slashers won the Longford Senior Championship that first year and have won 14 more since (15 in total) - 1954, 1956, 1957, 1959, 1961, 1971, 1975, 1979, 1980, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1994 & 2010 & 2011. Champions won before 1954 were won by Longford town based teams prior to the foundation of Longford Slashers. Since the foundation of the Club in 1954, Longford Slashers were without a home of their own and depended on the goodwill of Longford County Board to play many of their games in Pearse Park. They also rented some fields locally at other times over the years. In 1978 they purchased an initial 12 acres (49,000 m2) at Farneyhoogan on the outskirts of Longford town. Following extensive development work, the first two pitches were opened on 8th. June 1980 - the first competitive game was a Leader Cup match V Ardagh. The Club grounds, Clubhouse and other facilities were officially opened by the then President of Cumann Luthchleas Gael, Padraic McFlynn, on the 12th. October 1980.
On April 25. 2005 another milestone was reached when a new floodlit all-weather playing pitch was opened on an additional 6 acres (24,000 m2) of land that the club purchased. On September 11, 2011, Slashers won their 15th county title, defeating Clonguish by 0-7 to 0-6, and are now the most successful Gaelic football team in County Longford.
Longford Slashers are based in Michael Fay Park, Longford Town, Co. Longford. They have won the Longford Senior Football County Championship 15 times (more than any other team in Longford) They also are home to the Backstage Theatre Longford, a clubhouse and a gael scoil. They have a big rivalry with Clonguish (Newtownforbes).
The senior team's manager is Denis Connerton, former Longford County team manager. The senior team qualified for the 2010 senior championship final as a result of a 0-14 to 0-6 victory over Mostrim on Sat 4 September. On 26 September 2010, Slasher's obtained their 14th Longford Senior Football Championship, with a 0-11 to 1-5 victory over Dromard.
Most recently, the club have lost county finals in 2006 and 2008.
There are 8 under-age teams in the club: u-8s, u-10s, u-12s, two u-14s, two u16s & minor, and they have enjoyed great success, winning numerous titles. Longford Slashers have enjoyed success at U-21 level in the county, with their most recent success coming in 2004.
Damien McManus is probably Rashers most recognised and decorated players. He played underage and senior football for the Rashers until moving to Wales to play for Carmarthen Harps GFC. He has also represented his country 3 times in the International Rules series and has 43 caps for Wales GAA International team. He won 4 Welsh Senior Championships with Carmarthen Harps as well as 3 Senior League titles and the famous Welsh Colleges Player of the Year 3 years on the trot. Recently he has returned home and has spoken about his desire of pulling on the Sky blue and navy jersey again, although the fall-out from his departure rumbles on.
Owing to the fallout from his transfer to Carmarthen Harps the Rashers refused to take McManus back on board when he returned to Ireland. Following weeks of speculation McManus announced on SkySports News that he was 'officially cutting all ties with the Rashers and was taking up an offer from Perth Glory Hole GAY club in Western Australia.'