Feb 132009
 

What can you say about John Hayes that hasn’t already been said a hundred times over in the last week.

If there is one man that you can honestly say that Ireland and Munster could not have done without or had no replacement for over the last 9-10 years it is the rock solid John Hayes. Ever since I used to meet him on the training pitch in Kilballyowen twice a week when he started all of those years ago (I’m guessing about 4 or 5 stone lighter), a fit, thin whippet that we stuck out on the edge of the scrum for his first game, that I was able to lift in the lineout back then (when it was illegal to do so, but only if you got caught), we here at Bruff have watched his career grow from strength to strength. From the move into second row, Joining Shannon U20 as we had no U20 team that year, Thanks to Kynan McGregor, the move about as far south that you can go on this planet and the return as a Prop from Invercargill. All of a sudden he shot into the limelight with that famous start against Scotland almost 9 years ago to the day and everyone in the country finally saw what we had known all along.

There were a few surreptitiously wiped eyes around the clubhouse that famous february day and the crowning moment for many was the sight of a Bruff flag and banner flashed up on the big screen in Clarkes. John had made the big time and Bruff RFC was being carried along with him. While we had had a few younger players on international schools teams, Under 18 and Under 20 squads, this was our very first Senior International  player and by heck were we proud of it. Even though at this stage he was playing full time with Shannon and Munster, he never forgot where he came from or where he started and in the few scarce interviews that he did over the years, he never failed to let everyone know just how it began.

John’s career blossomed, Munster Heineken Cup glory, Irish Triple crown glory and a Lions jersey followed. He’s just about to match the all time record for Irish caps, and going well will break the record for the greatest number of 6 Nations starts of any country before the end of this campaign.

We, as you probably know, have had our own successes, Under 20 All Ireland league winners and losing finalists in the space of twelve months, quickly followed by three Munster Junior league wins out of four. The tense final moments on the phone in Garryowen Green, praying and willing for the game between Clanwilliam and Nenagh to finish. That fateful jump to Senior on the third attempt on that fateful day in Coleraine, Where we cried, we couldn’t watch, the Northern lads put on a great atmosphere but we were too tense to enjoy it. This was followed by surviving the famous first year in senior rugby. John came back to his roots, to the place where it all began. This was quickly followed by being crowned champions without being promoted, followed again by last years absolutely fabulous season, which now sees us in Division 2. We wanted survival this season. We’ve accomplished that already and God knows how it will finish up this year.

Folks, while it’s been one hell of a ride for us, we can be extremely proud of the man they call “THE BULL”. The Cornerstone of Munster and Ireland, hopefully on Sunday, they will finally give him that elusive “Man of the match award”, although it’s highly likely that he wouldn’t do the interview, that’s just the type of man he is. While I’ll never forget the row in Keatings into the wee hours with Chick, Scoby, Dunnser and Ger Whelan over whether we would be better off in Munster Junior 3 for a season to regroup, little did I know back then where the future would take us.

Thanks you John for many many happy moments, and we know there’s more to come. Keep carrying that pack as long as they need you.

Photos for Bruff Vs. Instonians, AIL Div. 2.

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Oct 052008
 

I’ve just put up yesterdays photos from the game in Shaws Bridge.

Oh , and I forget to say this yesterday…..

REVENGE IS SWEEEEEET…………………..

CLICK HERE FOR THE PHOTOS.

AIB First Round Draw against Clonakilty (27/28th Sep.)

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Sep 062008
 

The old coach against the new team? With the news going around that Eugene is Coaching Clon again, it looks like he’ll be coming up for the first round of the AIB Cup.

The draw for the AIB Cup took place earlier today (Thursday) at AIB Bankcentre in Dublin. The knock-out cup competition brings together all 48 AIB League clubs from the four provinces.

The first round of the draw includes the 32 clubs from Divisions Two and Three of the AIB League. The winners of these ties will then go forward to the second round to play the 16 clubs from Division One of the AIB League.

The first round of the competition will be played on the weekend of September 27/28 and the second round will be played on the weekend of November 1/2.

We are at home to Clonakilty. The winners of this game will be away to the winners between Old Crescent and DLSP. Full draw below.

2008/09 AIB CUP FIRST ROUND DRAW –

Match A: Instonians v Rainey Old Boys

Match B: Highfield v Sundays Well

Match C: Connemara v Barnhall

Match D: Bruff v Clonakilty

Match E: Malone v Queen’s University

Match F: UCC v Greystones

Match G: Nenagh Ormond v Lansdowne

Match H: Bective Rangers v Galway Corinthians

Match I: Midleton v Old Wesley

Match J: Dublin University v County Carlow

Match K: Old Crescent v DLSP

Match L: Belfast Harlequins v Banbridge

Match M: Naas v Ballynahinch

Match N: Wanderers v Thomond

Match O: Ards v Suttonians

Match P: Waterpark v Portadown

2008/09 AIB CUP SECOND ROUND DRAW –

St. Mary’s College v Cork Constitution

Winner O v Winner I

Winner G v Winner C

Winner H v Terenure

Galwegians v Winner B

Winner A v UCD

Dolphin v Winner E

Winner F v Winner P

Young Munster v Winner L

Winner M v Winner J

Winner K v Winner D

UL Bohemians v Dungannon

Blackrock College v Shannon

Garryowen v Winner N

Old Belvedere v Ballymena

Buccaneers v Clontarf

Jul 232008
 

These are the fixtures that we have to date, the Junior Cup and Webb Cup draws have been made but as of yet no date for beginning.

Date:

Comp Time Home Score Away
Sat 24/08/2008
Sun 25/08/2008
Sat 31/08/2008
Mon 01/09/2008 LCC Bruff 1st XV v UL Bohemians
Sat 6th Sep 08 LCC Semi-Final
Sun 7th Sep 08 TFC Bruff J1 v Presentation
Sat 13/09/2008
Sun 14th Sep 08 TFC 2nd Round
19/20th Sep 08 LCC Final
Sat 20th Sep 08 MSC Crosshaven v Bruff 1st XV
Sun 21st Sep 08 TFC Semi-Final
Sat 27th Sep 08 U20 Lge Bruff U20 v Old Crescent
Sun 28th Sep 08 GL Bruff J2 v Ennis
Sun 28th Sep 08 TFC Final
Sat 4th Oct 08 U20 Lge Garryowen v Bruff U20
Sat 4th Oct 08 AIL 02:30 Instonians v Bruff 1st XV
Sun 5th Oct 08 GL Cashel v Bruff J2
Sat 11th Oct 08 U20 Lge Bruff U20 v UL Bohemians
Sat 11th Oct 08 AIL 02:30 Bruff 1st XV v Thomond
Sat 18th Oct 08 AIL 02:30 Bruff 1st XV v Belfast Harlequins
Sat 25th Oct 08 AIL 02:30 Malone v Bruff 1st XV
Sun 26th Oct 08 GL Kilfeacle v Bruff J2
Sun 2nd Nov 08 GL Bruff J2 v Clonmel
Sat 8th Nov 08 MSC 1/4 Final
Sun 9th Nov 08 GL Newcastle West v Bruff J2
Sat 29th Nov 08 AIL 02:30 Bruff 1st XV v Dublin University
Sun 30th Nov 08 GL Bruff J2 v Scariff
Sat 6th Dec 08 AIL 02:30 D.L.S.P. v Bruff 1st XV
Sun 7th Dec 08 GL Thurles v Bruff J2
Sun 14th Dec 08 AIL 02:30 Bruff 1st XV v Highfield
Sat 20th Dec 08 MSC Semi-Final
Sat 3rd Jan 08 MSC Final
Sat 10th Jan 08 McI Cup Bruff J2 v Old Crescent
Sat 17th Jan 09 McI Cup 2nd Round
Sat 17th Jan 09 AIL 02:30 Lansdowne v Bruff 1st XV
Sat 24th Jan 09 McI Cup Semi-Final
Sat 24th Jan 09 AIL 02:30 Bruff 1st XV v Old Crescent
Sat 31st Jan 09 AIL 02:30 Wanderers v Bruff 1st XV
Sat 21st Feb 09 AIL 02:30 Bruff 1st XV v U.C.C.
Sat 7th Mar 09 AIL 02:30 Bective Rangers v Bruff 1st XV
Sat 28th Mar 09 AIL 02:30 Bruff 1st XV v Ballynahinch
Sat 4th Apr 09 AIL 02:30 Bruff 1st XV v Clonakilty
Sat 18th Apr 09 AIL 02:30 Greystones v Bruff 1st XV

AIB League Fixtures out

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Jul 232008
 

We get Thomond and Old Crescent at home during the league but first off, guess who we are away to? Our old friends Instonians, in Belfast no less. It also looks like the date for the Christmas party is already set 🙂 Anyway full list below:

Date Time Home Score Away Venue
Sat 4th Oct 08 14:30 Instonians v Bruff Shaws Bridge
Sat 11th Oct 08 14:30 Bruff v Thomond Killballyowen Park
Sat 18th Oct 08 14:30 Bruff v Belfast Harlequins Killballyowen Park
Sat 25th Oct 08 14:30 Malone v Bruff Gibson Park
Sat 29th Nov 08 14:30 Bruff v Dublin University Killballyowen Park
Sat 6th Dec 08 14:30 D.L.S.P. v Bruff Kilternan
Sun 14th Dec 08 14:30 Bruff v Highfield Killballyowen Park
Sat 17th Jan 09 14:30 Lansdowne v Bruff RDS
Sat 24th Jan 09 14:30 Bruff v Old Crescent Killballyowen Park
Sat 31st Jan 09 14:30 Wanderers v Bruff Merrion Road
Sat 21st Feb 09 14:30 Bruff v U.C.C. Killballyowen Park
Sat 7th Mar 09 14:30 Bective Rangers v Bruff Donnybrook
Sat 28th Mar 09 14:30 Bruff v Ballynahinch Killballyowen Park
Sat 4th Apr 09 14:30 Bruff v Clonakilty Killballyowen Park
Sat 18th Apr 09 14:30 Greystones v Bruff Dr. Hickey Park