Adult rugby roundup W/E 1st & 2nd Nov

Ulster Bank League Division 2B

DLSP Vrs Bruff

Bruff seniors recorded another great win in division 2B with a dogged victory over a well-disciplined home team. With the inclement weather making it very difficult for both teams, this was a victory ground out of hard work and never say die attitude. Bruff started the better team and after a 5 minute period of pressure were rewarded with a penalty which was missed to the right hand side of the posts by winger Declan Bannon. DLSP responded with a period of possession themselves and some great recovery work by centre Sean Darcy prevented DLSP scoring a try after 8 minutes. DLSP continued to pressure their visitors and remained inside the Bruff 22 until great defensive by Johnny Clery and Ger O’Connell saw Bruff clear their lines and move the play back to the half way line. On 24 minutes Bruff’s rhythm was disrupted with a leg  injury to second row Ger O’Connell which saw the Knockainey man leave the field of play to be replaced by Mikey Cooke. Bruff once again won a penalty inside the DLSP half on 26 minutes but Declan Bannon was again unlucky to see it slide wide of the posts. Shortly after the first score of the game was recorded when DLSP, after winning 2 consecutive penalties to move the ball downfield, were successful with a kickable 3rd penalty to go 3-0 in front on 31 minutes. A response was required and to be fair to Brendan Deady’s charges they weren’t found lacking. DLSP were pinged on 38 minutes for offside allowing Bannon to draw the visitors level. Half time score was 3-3. A second substitution at half time saw Mike Carroll enter the fray for Jake Considine. Little did the watching crowd realise what a part both men would later play in  the match. With no let up in the weather. moving the ball to the backs was proving increasingly difficult for both  teams.  Penalties were awarded to both teams over the opening 20 minutes of the second half without any change to the scoreboard. However the deciding moments of the game occurred after 65 minutes when DLSP were awarded a penalty on their left hand side, playing with a strong breeze the home supporters expected their team to got back in front but fortunately for Bruff it was missed, Then the reintroduction of Jake Considine and Davy Horan, who had been earlier substituted in the second half, added some needed impetus to the Bruff attack. On 68 minutes  Bruff won a penalty to relieve the pressure on our defensive and after several phases prop Colm O’Sullivan made a great run into the DLSP 22, however the ball was coughed up and DLSP scrambled a clearance. As we entered the final minute with the score locked a 3-3, it appeared that the scoring was finished for the day but one last break into the DLSP 22 followed by sustained pressure with some great carries from Jake Considine and Danny Keogh lead the decisive score. A beautifully executed reverse flick pass from  scrum half Tony Cahill to back rower Mike Carroll, saw him barrell over for the game’s only try. It was duly converted by Declan Bannon. Shortly afterwards the final whistle saw great scenes of joy from the visiting supporters who had travelled in great numbers. Bruff now move up one place to 7th and with 2 wins and a draw from 4 outings, it must be considered a very solid start to the new season.

*we’re glad to report that Ger o Connell has recovered from his injury and turned up on Sunday morning to coach the Bruff U9’s

Next up is Richmond in Kilballyowen next Friday night 7th Nov under lights. Kick off 7.30,

Team was: 1. Davy Horan 2. Johnny Clery 3. Colm O’Sullivan 22. Kevin Madigan 5. Ger O’Connell 6. Danny Keogh 7. Andy White 8. Jake Considine 9. Tony Cahill 10. Dave O’Grady 11. Shane Doona 12. Darragh Mulcahy 13. Sean Darcy 14. Declan Bannon 15. Brendan Deady 16. Ray Roche 17. Timmy Quirke 18. Mikey Cooke 19. Mikey Carroll 20. Tommy Carroll 21. Andrew Breen 22. Keith Laffan

U20 Donal Walsh Trophy Section B

The under 20’s were in action at home to NUIG-Corinthians on Saturday in the U20’s league. Bruff came into the game on the back of a league victory over UL Bohs and were hoping to carry on from where they finished the last day out. Unfortunately they came up against a fiercely determined and physically dominant side in the Galway men losing out on a score line of 31-7.

Bruff trailed 19-0 at half time conceding 2 try’s and 3 penalties in the opening 40. They did manage to reduce the lead to 19-7 15 minutes into the 2^nd half with a great team try. Full back Brian Fanning picked up a loose NUIG-Corinthians kick in his own half and returned it with a defensive splitting run back into the visitors 22. Bruff recycled at the break down a put the ball through a number of hands before Eamon O Dea finished with the touch down. But this was all Bruff would have to show for their efforts as the Galway side added a further 2 trys before full time.

Bruff Team: Bruff 1-8, Shane Breen, Mikie Walsh, Brendan Keogh, James Keogh , Conor O’Dwyer, Eamon O’Dea, Niall Mallon, Thomas O’Dwyer 9-15 John Carew, Graham Whelan, Killian O’Riordan, Darragh Fanning, Ciaran Ryan, Liam Treacy, Brian Fanning Subs, Eric Finn, Robert Laffan , Anthony Neylon, Jack Kirkby. James Guinea

Senior 2nds League North

In the senior 2nds League the J1 team lost out to Thomond on a score line of 31-13, Bruff had trys from Des Power, Marcus Mulvihill and a Penalty from Eoin Quinn. The 2nds now have a badly needed break for a few weeks. With up to 10 players out injured the 2nds can regroup and hopefully look forward to a good run in the league to come.