Bruff J1 45-Garryowen 14, Transfield Cup 1/4 Final.

The Bruff J1 squad pulled off a major coup after traveling to Dooradoyle today in the Transfield Cup coming out eventual winners by 45 points to 14.

The game started with Bruff having the benefit of the strong breeze: Richie McAuliffe adding the opening penalty after ten minutes to give Bruff an early three point lead but Garryowen quickly replied with a converted try to put them ahead. Pat Lynch then cancelled this when he got the first of his hat trick of tries converted by McAuliffe to return the difference to three points in favour of Bruff.

Richie’s next penalty three minutes later increased the lead to six points and another four minutes before the break gave Bruff a nice 16-7 pint lead at halftime which they were more than value for.

Bruff started really strongly in the second half and after a fantastic maul from fifteen meters out, Cathal O’Regan touched down and McAuliffe converted to increase the lead to 23-7.

Following another long drop off going out to touch by the Garryowen out-half, Bruff ended up with a line-out on halfway, O’Regan choosing the short option resulting in Ger O’Connell making a fantastic break the full distance just to be clipped by the ankles right on the try-line to be denied by the corner flag, Bruff stole the resulting line-out and Pat Lynch crossed for his second of the day to give Bruff another five extra points of a lead, 28-7.

Another long drop off gave Bruff the advantage and following five minute of Bruff phases, a fantastic cross-field kick by the Full back resulted in youngster Eric Finn touching down after the chase to put his opener in adult rugby on the board. 33-7.

Garryowen quickly replied with a converted try of their own but it was way too little much too late for them to do anything to stop the swarming Bruff squad. 33-14.

Bruff quickly gained possession immediately following the drop-off and after making their way into the Garryowen 22, gained a penalty after indiscretions at ruck time, Cathal O’Regan took a quick tap and crossed for another try bringing the score to 38 points to 14.

The cream on the pudding was the final try of Pat Lynch’s hat trick which McAuliffe converted right on the whistle to give a full-time score of 45-14 and leave Bruff with a Semi-final place against either Young Munster or St. Senans who have to play yet.