| Day | Team | Competition | Opposition | Venue | Time |
| Thur 23rd Apr | U16’s | Cup Q Final | Yng Munsters | Derryknockane | 7pm |
| Friday 24th | U15’s | Cup Semi | Garryowen | Dooradoyle | 7.15pm |
| Sunday 26th | U18’s | Open Cup | Ul Bohs-Newport | Annacotty | 1pm |
| Monday 27th | U14’s | Cup Semi | Ennis | Showground’s | 7.30 pm |
(pic’s courtesy of Liz McManus)
The u18’s are North Munster cup champions after a comprehensive 50-12 win over Thomand in Sundays decider.
Played in glorious sunshine on the back pitch in Thomand Park the ‘Soda Cakes’ got off to a flying start scoring a converted try under the post with only a few minutes gone on the clock. The response from Bruff was quick with Kevin McManus touching down for the first of his three tries nearly immediately after the restart. Thomand who got to the final via a walkover from NCW/Estuary in the Semi were rattled and leaked a second try when Bruff took a scrum against the head in the Thomand 22. Bruff No.8 Dylan Reeves-Wasik was quick to pounce on the loose ball and went over for the score. John Bulfin who was on kicking duty for Bruff made no mistake with the convert to make it 12-7 to Bruff. Flying winger Mattew Lockart-O’Dea who had an outstanding season for Bruff added a third try before half time with Bulfin adding a penalty to make it 20-7 to Bruff at the short whistle.
Bruff added 4 more tries in the second half. First up was captain and centre Conor Fitzpatrick who was on hand to finish a free flowing move which went from one side of the field to the other before Fitzpatrick touched down. Kevin McManus completed his hat trick with two more tries to make it 45-12, the elusive full back finishing well worked team tries, with Cian Clifford adding the last of Bruff’s scores to make it 50-12. Bulfin and McManus shared kicking duties in the second half scoring 10 points from placed balls closing 40..
Bruff captain Conor Fitzpatrick collected the cup on behalf of the team and gave a fine speech thanking all involved with this double winning side. Eoin Cahill who guided the back-line, Martin O Rourke & Timmy Quirke who looked after the forwards, Johnnie O Connor who worked on defence and team Manager Tony Clifford.
He also thanked all the parent who give up many a long evening to make it possible for these young men to play ball 🙂
Match report from the Senior game played on April 11th
The Seniors finished off their UBL campaign with a 12-27 home defeat to Boyne. Bruff got off to an ideal starting scoring a try after just 6 minutes. Captain Dave Horan crossed the line for the 5 pointer after a good spell of Bruff play which started in the Bruff 22 with Jonnie Clery winning a penalty at the break down. Bruff kicked to touch and moved the ball wide from the resulting lineout. The ball was moved through the hands again and Horan was on hand to receive and try scoring pass from Andy White.
Boyne who were still not safe from relegation picked up the pace and kicked a penalty on 15 minutes to make it 5-3. Bruff were forced into a number of substitutions which seemed to upset the flow of the Bruff game. Then a 10 minute blitz saw Boyne race into a 5-22 lead scoring tries on 33, 40 & 43 minutes.
Bruff got a 2nd try on 65 minutes from winger Mark Cosgrove which was converted by out-half Paul Downes but that was to be it as Boyne added another try on 67 minutes to claim the bonus point win.
We ended the season in 7th place having won 7 games 2 draws and 6 loses. 3 of the 6 loses produced losing bonus points and we also picked up 3 try scoring bonus points.
The game was followed by an end of season breakup the highlight of which was the presentation of a cheque for over €6500 to Milford hospice in the memory of our late friend and past club member Alfie Laffan. Alfie who was a member of Bruff’s Bateman cup team of 2011 passed away in September aged 33 years of age after a battle with cancer. A large number of past players and members attended the presentation which was done by Alfie’s family and club delegates.
Club president Pat Dunne acknowledged the work of Mike O Connor and Ger Malone for organising the fundraiser. He also thanked Milford hospice for the care they gave to Alfie in his short stay there and said a few word to Alfies family about Alfie a young man who’ll always be remembered fondly by everyone at Bruff RFC.
Please keep an eye on this weeks Leader (W/E 25th April) where the fundraiser will be featured
A few shots from this u15 game at the Corinthians Youth Tournament, Bruff won that game 10-7 and finished 5th overall.
Please note that due to the hosting of the Annual “Not so young” function on the 26th May, the club AGM will now take place on Wednesday 27th May at 7pm. The Pre AGM will take place on Tuesday 12th as advised.