Adult Rugby | Bruff Rugby Football Club

On Saturday last we travelled to Derry to play to our last away league game this year, Derry were hovering at the wrong end of the table but started the game with real intent and were rewarded when they scored a converted try to give them an early lead the lads replied with 2 try’s of their own through Cian Tierney and Liam Treacy to lead 14-12 at halftime the second half saw us extend our lead to 19-12 from another Liam Treacy try but Derry fought back with a pen and then with a try to take an 20-19 lead, we tried hard for a winner but Derry had the last say with an intercept try to win 27-19. It was disappointing for the lads but credit to Derry who were well up for the game. We will still qualify for the play offs if we can beat midelton who are already qualified next Saturday in kilballyowen at 2.30.

Just a special mention to the big crowd who travelled up to Derry to support the lads, the players really appreciate it.

Team

Paddy cleary Rob Coates Kieth laffenTom o DwyerNeilus Keogh Johnny Cleary Sean hartigan Mike Cooke Danny Jackson Davy o GradyLiam Treacy Cian tierney Jack o GradyGraham Whelan Kevin McManusBrendan Keogh Tadgh o DwyerTaylor Jones Sean Darcy Cian Clifford

Bruff RFC’s heroes of seasons-gone-by will roll back the years in aid of a good cause on Saturday, April 13^th, as two teams made up of the club’s past players take each other on in Kilballyowen Park.

The game is being played in memory of former Bruffs second row Alfie Laffan, with all of the gate proceeds on the day going to Milford Hospice. It will be the prelude to an All-Ireland League clash between the senior teams of Bruff and Midleton, both of whom are flying high at the moment and vying for promotion from Division 2C.

Bruff’s senior side are unbeaten at home this season, and their game represents a chance for the current batch of players to take a step closer to adding a new chapter in the club’s proud history.

Many of those responsible for previous historical highlights – such as promotion from the ranks of Junior rugby and winning the All Ireland Bateman Cup a few years later – will feature in the warm-up game. Everyone playing will have called Alfie Laffan a teammate at some point in their playing career. The fixture provides an opportunity for those on and off the field to share their memories of a very fondly-remembered clubman, who died in 2014 after battling cancer.

President of Bruff Neilus Noonan said it is a mark of how respected Alfie was that so many players were willing to dust off their boots for the veterans’ game.

“Alfie was a giant of a man on the field and a gentleman off of it. He was part of two All-Ireland winning Bruffteams, at Under-20s and at senior for the Bateman Cup.We’re delighted to be able to mark his memory in this unique way, with so many of his former teammates running once more on to the field where he learned how to play the game,” said the President.

A big crowd is expected in Kilballyowen Park for the two fixtures, with the veterans’ clash kicking off at 12.30pm and the senior game starting at 2.30pm. All proceeds taken at the gate on the day will be donated to Milford Hospice. If you cannot make the fixture andwould still like to make a donation to mark the event, you can do so through Bruff RFC. Donations can be lodged with the reference ‘Alfie Laffan Commemorative Game’ and the following account details.

Account name: Bruff RFC

IBAN: IE92AIBK93521240446578

BIC: AIBKIE2D

Our seniors make the long journey this weekend to play city of Derry in our second last league game of the season. We currently sit third in the table and need to win at least one of our two remaining games to make a top 4 play off. Derry also need points to ensure senior status for them for next season. Derry have been particularly good at home this season so it will take a huge effort from the lads to get a result.

Our last game is at home the following Saturday Vs Midleton so put that in to your diary, as it’s possibly our last home game in the league. We’re hoping it will be a cracker and depending on next weekends results it may also decide if we get a home playoff.

The club hosted a pre-match function on Saturday firstly to acknowledge our sponsors and to thank them for their continued support and secondly to acknowledge the success of 2 of our underage players who have represented our club at provincial and national level this year namely Fionn Flanaghan and Craig Finn. Former Lions, Munster and Ireland prop John Hayes along with Munster President Mr Ger Malone along with our own officers were on hand to make the presentation to the boys involved.

Fionn Flanaghan
Craig Finn

Saturday saw us take on Tullamore in Rd 16 of the AIL and while we were in 3rd position coming into the game, Omagh and Malahide were hot on our heels with no room for slip ups.

We started the game well and were awarded a penalty which Kevin McManus slotted, we continued to enjoy a good amount of territory and were rewarded after Cian Tierney crossed for a 5 pointer, Kevin kicked the extras and we were 10 points to the good. Tullamore got themselves back into the game and spent a lot of time in our half but our defense coped well and we went further ahead when, after numerous phases, Neilus Keogh picked from a ruck and dived in under the posts to continue his run of try scoring. Kevin kicked the 2 pointer and we went in 17-0 up at h/t.

We got our 3rd try early in the 2nd half with some good passing to create a gap for Davy O’Grady to go under the posts. Kevin added two more and now we were in bonus point territory. Credit to Tullamore who got an unconverted try to make the score 24-5.

We finished out the remainder of the game with 14 men with the binning of Liam Treacy and Johnny Cleary but we did manage to land the bonus point with an excellent finish from Sean Darcy, Tullamore to their credit did manage another try and the game finished 31-12.

We now have a week off before our long trip to Derry in our last away game of the season.

Team

Paddy Cleary, Johnny Cleary, Kieth Laffan, Tom O’Dwyer, Neilus Keogh, Mike Cooke, Sean Hartigan, Taylor Jones, Danny Jackson, Davy O’Grady, Liam Treacy, Cian Tierney, Jack O’Grady, Cian Clifford, Kevin McManus Rob Coates, Brendan Keogh, Tadgh O’Dwyer, Graham Whelan, Sean Darcy.

Bruff Rugby Football Club

Rd 17 ail v Derry

Ail Round 17, Bruff Vs City of Derry.

Underage Presentation to representative players.

AIL Rd 16, Bruff V Tullamore