U18’s Munster Final
Bruff u18’s were beaten in a Munster Clubs final for the second year in a row following a 35.28 defeat to Waterpark in last Thursday’s final in Thomand Park. Bruff started well and early dominance was rewarded with a penalty after five minutes to go into a 3.0 lead. Waterpark brought it back to 3.3 after quarter of an hour before Tom Quigley got Bruff’s first try with twenty minutes on the clock. Mikey O Grady made a clean line break but the ball was turned over in the Waterpark 22 and cleared to touch. Bruff caught the lineout and mauled over from close range for the first try of the game. Bruff got in for another try on thirty minutes, after the Bruff forwards stole a Waterpark Lineout in the opposition 22 with centre Liam Barrett making a clean break to touch down under the Waterpark posts. This was the end of the scoring for the opening half and Bruff went into the break 13.3 to the good.
It didn’t take Waterpark long to reel in the Bruff lead making it 13.10 after four minutes of the second half scoring a converted try. Waterpark went in again ten minute later scoring a second converted try to take a 13.17 lead, a lead which they would not relinquish. They also got a penalty shortly after.
Bruff got in for a third try with seventeen minutes remaining thanks to a short range pick and drive effort from substitute Joe O Connell to make it 18.20, but Waterparks response was quick hitting a drop kick almost immediately to make it 18.23.
Unbelievably the last ten minutes produced four more tries. Tadgh O Dwyer & Cian Clifford had tries for Bruff but unfortunately Waterpark also scored two further tries to win out on a score-line of 35.28
Squad: Dave Barrett, Thomas Quigley, Jack Fitzgerald, Daniel O Shea, Tadgh O Dwyer, Ferghal Cooke, Paul Tracey, Daniel Gleeson, Simon Divilly, Cormac Daly, Joseph O Connell, James Hanly, Liam Cunningham, Stephen Dunworth, Cian Clifford, John Bateman, Dean O Shea, Liam Barrett, Mikey O Grady, John Bulfin, Mattew Lockhart O Dea, Richard Bateman, Jason Fitzgibbon, Callum Winship, Gearoid Moynihan, Jerry O Dea, Jack O Malley
Upcoming Fixtures
Seniors travel to Tullamore
The seniors travel to Tullamore this weekend knowing they need a huge performance if they are going to remain in the playoff places. Tullamore currently occupy second place in the league and are the only team that can knock league leaders Old Crescent off top spot. Tullamore have the best defence in the league and have racked up six try bonus wins on the way to a title chasing position. However Bruff have already proven that they can beat the Co. Offaly outfit having won 22-15 when the sides met in the reverse fixture earlier this season. Saturday’s game has a 2.30pm ko in the Spollenstown venue in Tullamore
U20’s into Play-off
The under 20’s play their biggest game of the season when they travel to play Shannon in Coonagh on Saturday in a Play-off. The winners qualify for the next round of the u20’s league so only a victory will do in this weekend’s encounter. Shannon will be favorites going into the game having already beaten Bruff this year, however this Bruff team has yet to peak and Saturdays game would be a good time to find top form. The game has a 2.30pm ko in Coonagh.
