Here are some photos taken at the game between Bruff and UCC in Kilballyowen yesterday.
Some shots from the game last saturday between Wanderers and Bruff seniors.
AIL 1st XV: On the Domestic front, the First fifteen finally played the re-fixed AIL game against Wanderers in Merrion Rd. On a dry calm day, the weather was ideal for rugby and the Bruff pack made the very most of it. They camped for over 90% of the first half within the Wanderers 22, absolutely dominant in the scrum but the lineout letting them down on occasion. Facing up to some big name players like Junior Charlie in the centres, (Brian Cantrell made an appearance, Eoin Nihill was part of the back row for the opposition) they really squared up to their opposition in the tight but failed again to convert dominance into scores. The only time that Wanderers entered the Bruff half of the pitch was a breakout following a kick and chase from Full back Paul O’ Brien when winger Culhane returned the kick to the try-line from between their 22 and the ten meter line to give them their only score of the game. Two Brian Cahill penalties were all that Bruff had to show for all of their efforts in the first half, score at the break 6 – 5 to Bruff. At the start of the second half Bruff again dominated proceedings in the pack but Wanderers came right back into the game and their lineout really came to the fore. While Paul O’ Brien kicked over two more penalties and the pack seemed to be able to do what they liked with the Wanderers scrum, the last ten minutes became a very tense affair with the massively impressive Bruff defence holding out to give them the four vital league points with a final score of 12 to 5. Wanderers should be happy with their losing bonus despite their valiant efforts over the final ten minutes.
Bruff: Scores: B. Cahill 2 pens. Paul O’ Brien 2 Pens.
D. Horan, C. O’ Regan, S. Foster, A.Laffan, D. Murnane, J. Shine, M.Carroll, P.Malone, E.Maher, B.Cahill, G.Leonard, J.Carroll, J. Malone, A.Cashman, P.O’ Brien. Subs: M. O’ Donnell, G. Ryan, J. Luby, M. O’ Connell, D.Maw.
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.
Following consultation with the O2 website we can now confirm that Bruff RFC is actually on the list of clubs who can benefit from the above scheme. THIS DOES NOT COST YOU ANYTHING. IT IS FREE.
The closing date is the end of this month (with the possibility of it being extended) so please hurry.
The gist of it is as follows:
Anyone on an O2 Monthly bill (Not prepaid at the moment) at absolutely no cost to the customer can donate 5% of their bill to the club. This money comes from O2 directly to the club, this is how it works:
If you have an O2 Pay Monthly Phone then you do the following:
1. Text the word RUGBY to 50308
2, You will then receive back confirmation that you are eligible to participate in the scheme.
3, you will then be asked to text the word RUGBY followed by BRUFF to 50308. It is as easy as that, you do not have to be a member of Bruff RFC to enter so please talk to everyone you know on O2. However you must be an O2 Customer on Monthly Bill Pay. Private as well as Business Customers can take part.
You can also take part through the O2 website by clicking on the link below: