1st XV | Bruff Rugby Football Club

Our seniors played their last game of the league on Saturday last and needing a win to guarantee a playoff place and to keep an unbeaten home record in place Midleton were the visitors who were guaranteed a playoff place. We started the game well and were rewarded with a try from our captain Johnny Cleary Kevin McManus kicked the convert but we were quickly pegged back when Midleton scored with a try and went ahead through a penalty to make it 8-7 after 20 mins played. We continued to dominate possession but it was not until the 35th minute that we took the lead once again through Johnny the convert was missed and although we looked like we had scored on h/t we knocked on, on the line so we went in 12-8 ahead. The second half saw us again see a lot of posession and went further ahead with a penalty try on the 65 min we added the bonus try with 5 to go. Davy o Grady converted and it finished 26-8. So once again we play Midleton next Saturday in the playoff semi final in Midleton, ko 2.30 and while management will be pleased with result, they will also feel more will be needed on Saturday next.

Bruff Paddy cleary Johnny Cleary (capt.) Kieth Laffan Tom o DwyerNeilus Keogh Sean hartigan Mike Cooke 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 Shane Biggins Sean Darcy

As this was our last home league game of the season it’s important to acknowledge the effort the players and management have put in all season when one travels through the league and see what resources our opposition have at their disposal it’s really a credit to everyone in the club to be fighting promotion.

We also wish our players the best who are recovering from injuries It’s something we seem to have got more than our fair share this season.

The club would also like to acknowledge our fantastic supporters on Saturday last and all year long, and not least our fantastic ladies who continue to feed the masses all season and to our ladies inside the counter who provide us with refreshments a big thank you.

A nice mention from our friends in St Munchins College

This Saturday ko 2.30 in kilballyowen sees us play our last league game against Midelton a win will gaurentee bruff a playoff place the following weekend. In a season that hasn’t been kind to us on the injury front the panel has shown great character to be challenging for promotion at this stage. The curtain raiser for this game is a tribute game to the late Alfie Laffan between the All Ireland winning U-20 team against the Bateman cup winning team an opportunity to witness once again some club greats like the Malone’s Carroll’s Horans the list goes on, so if he can at all get yereselves out to kilballyowen action starts at 12.30 and all proceeds from the day go to Milford Hospice.

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

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.

Bruff Rugby Football Club

Rd 18 v Midleton

Ail fixture

Bruff RFC v Midelton

Rd 17 ail v Derry

Ail Round 17, Bruff Vs City of Derry.