Bob Kiely
After the disappointment of losing the Munster Senior Cup final the previous weekend, the onus was the first team to bounce back last weekend and return to winning ways in the league. An away trip to UCD, however, is a tough ask at the best of times, and this one last Saturday proved a bridge too far.
Bruff were on the back foot from the off and were 3-0 down after 3 minutes. A bad start to proceedings was further added to by an unconverted Andy Boyle try for the home team. It seemed to be all UCD as Bruff struggled to get into the game. The huge boot of Niall Earls kept the scoreboard ticking over for the students as he grabbed a massive penalty inside his own half to leave the score 11-0.
Half-time couldn’t come quick enough for the Limerick men, but before the whistle blew for the interval UCD had another try on the board, this time from centre David McSharry. With Earls addign the afters and Brian Cahil missing a penalty on the stroke of half-time for Bruff, it left the score reading 18-0 at the break.
If it was left to UCD to do all the scoring in the first half, the second half saw the visiting side take up the baton and gain all the points. Backrow forward, John Shine, stepped up to the plate for the men in yellow, crossing the line for an unconverted try to leave it 18-5. More Bruff pressure forced a penalty from the home side which Cahil duely converted. However this was to be the last score of the game and as the final whistle blew the students took the spoils with a 21-8 win.
Alas, the league doesn’t allow time to dwell on these results as this Friday, the 4th of November, sees the seniors take on UL Bohemians under lights at 7.30pm at Kilballyowen Park. This is the first AIL league match to be held under lights at the club so a huge crowd is encouraged to come along, sample the atmosphere and stay for the post-match hospitality afterwards.
Elsewhere, Bruff Junior seconds took on UL Bohs in the Gleeson League last weekend. Richard McAuliffe kicked all of the Bruff scores and it was 6-0 to Bruff at the break. Two tries and one conversion in the 2nd half for Bohs meant that Bruff foud themselves with their backs against the walls. Under pressure with the last play of the game, Richard McAuliffe came through again with a penalty kick to leave the final score reading 12-12.
In underage news, the under 14s put on a sensational second half show to turn a highly entertaining league tie around against Young Munsters to see them win 15-5 in bad conditions.
The U16?s played a challenge match against Listowel at Kilballyowen last weekend. Tries by Brian Fanning, Liam O’Dwyer and Mikie Walsh and conversions by Paul Downes and Pa Maher gave Bruff the victory on the day.
This coming Thursday sees the return of the U16s disco to the pavilion. Doors open at 8:00 and the music will run until 11:00pm, U16s only.
Fixtures for this weekend are as follows:
Saturday October 29th:
AIL Division 1b, UCD v Bruff, Belfield, 2.30
Gleeson League, Thomond v Bruff, Fitzgerald Park, 2.30
Sunday October 30th
Munster Senior Seconds League, Young Munster v Bruff, Venue TBC, 2.30
It was an altogether mixed bag for teams out Kilballyowen way this weekend with the senior team narrowly going down to Ballymena and the other two adult teams recording good victories.
To begin, Saturday last saw the visit of Ballymena to Bruff in the third game of the AIL. After a good home win against Galwegians the previous win, confidence was high going into this game. However, Ballymena and, in particular, Richard Ainsworth were having other ideas. Ainsworth crossed in early to leave his side with a 7-0 advantage and taking the home side by surprise.
Peter Malone endeavored to turn the tide for Bruff and soon had the sides on level terms with a try soon after this. Brian Cahil duly stepped forward moments later to slot over a penalty, leaving the score 10-7 to the men from Bruff. Coming up to half time, Bruff still held the lead, this time through a Mark Cosgrave try.
This game swayed back and forth, however, with both sides swapping scores through Brian and Tony Cahil for Bruff and Blaine McIlroy, David O’ Hara and Ainsworth for Ballymena. At this stage it was a real humdinger of a game, with the outcome finally balanced on a knife edge. Bruff have history of coming out the better of these close affairs, and with the clock ticking down looked good to win the day on a scoreline of 25-24. Ballymena, once more, weren’t reading the script and dug deep to see substitute John Semple duck in for a try and then kick a penalty moments later to leave the final score reading 34-28 in favour of the Ulstermen.
The first team cannot rest on their laurels and scrutinise this result as next Friday sees them take on Garryowen under lights in Thomond Park at 7.30 pm in the final of the ODM Munster Senior Cup. This is a huge game for the reigning champions and all support is greatly appreciated.
In other adult news, the senior seconds were in action on Sunday away to UL Bohs. The fixture doubled as a league and Transfield Cup game. Behind for most of the game, Bruff eventually carved out a tight 22-21 win. John Carrol opened the Bruff account with a try in the first half with Barry Enright adding the conversion. Enright kicked a penalty mid way through the second half before Martin O’ Rourke scored a brace of trys from 2 push over scrums, one of which was converted.
Meanwhile, the junior seconds were out the previous day in the Gleeson League with a home games against St. Marys. Bruff were up 13-3 at half time thanks to tries from Noel Ford and Shane O Donnell with Richard McAuliffe adding a penalty. Bruff had to fight hard in the second half and held out for well-deserved a 13-10 victory.
Finally, the underage side of the club had a good weekend with a great 50-12 win for the under 16s over their St. Mary’s counterparts and the under 17s with a comprehensive 29-0 win away to Young Munsters.
Remeber to check out our face book page, follow us on twitter or go to our club website of www.bruffrfc.comfor all the latest fixtures, results and good humour. Don’t forget to wear your colours and lend your support in Thomond Park on Friday night on what is another huge occasion for this club of ours.
