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The executive committee of Bruff RFC are delighted to announce the creation of our first ever skill specific development programme, mentored by John Hayes, former Bruff RFC, Munster, Ireland & The British and Irish Lions, Managed by Bruff YDO Eoin Cahill, and facilitated by Johnny O’ Connor (Shannon, Munster, Bruff) & the senior Bruff squad members.

Continuing the fantastic underage tradition in Bruff RFC since its foundation, This new development programme will be greatly helped by the revamped facilities of the club including the newly fitted electronic video analysis systems, electronic whiteboard system and with Brendan Bourke and Gráinne Hayes taking over Diet and Nutrition programming and fitness coaching/testing and Club Physio Derry Bowman taking charge of recovery when necessary. It will deal with player specific programmes including speed, agility, skills, diet and weight training, individually tailored to measure and target each players specific needs. Catering for underage players from U15 to U20, the programme will aim to enhance the training, fitness, rugby skillset and dietary standards of each of our underage players with the aim of streamlining the process of graduation from the fantastic underage system that has always existed in Bruff RFC right through to the Bruff Senior XV.

Coupled with this new system we also wish to announce the new senior XV management team for the coming season of Head Coach Ben Martin (UL Bohs, Munster, US Colomiers) , Forwards Coach Stephen Keogh (Bruff, Shannon, Munster, Leinster, Irish U21’s), and Management team of John Broderick (St. Munchins, Old Crescent, Young Munster & TG4) and Alfie Laffan (Bruff, UCC, Shannon, Bruff) as we head into the new season in Division 2a. Outgoing forwards coach Cathal O’ Regan is handing over the reins to concentrate on playing with the Bruff Senior squad for the coming year. We would like to take this opportunity to thank outgoing head coach Mike Lynch for his work during what was a particularly tough hard season for the Bruff RFC Senior XV and wish him well in all of his future endeavours. He has been a fantastic servant to this club over the years.

Quote: (Richard Leonard, President)

“We are delighted with this exciting appointment and with the experience at the highest levels of rugby that this new management team bring with them. As a club we are noted for being more progressive than most and we look forward to a fantastic future as we create a strong fresh structure throughout the club from Mini rugby, Youths, Adult and Ladies teams that will continue the fantastic work that has been done to date. Having scaled the heights that we have reached in our short nine year career as a Senior Club, staying “upwardly mobile” was always going to be a tough ask, and we have had three great years in division 1, during which time we managed our first Munster Senior Cup win and our first All-Ireland Cup win. We will regroup in Division 2a next season and with this calibre of management coming into the Bruff system, coupled with the new Underage development programme under the mentorship of John Hayes, we are confident that the future is going to be very bright indeed at Kilballyowen Park.”

It’s that time of the year again folks, the summer (if you could call it that) is gasping it’s last breath as the days are getting shorter, and we’re back in full swing at Kilballyowen with training under lights having commenced for yet another year.

At this stage all age groups from Under 8’s to under 38’s J are all back training and we’re kicking off this weekend with all adult teams out.

Saturday we have the first round of the Munster Senior cup where we have had great success for the last two years with a win against Garryowen in the final two years ago leading on to that fabulous success at Bateman Cup All Ireland level. Last year we fell at the final hurdle to the same Garryowen and they repeated the feat bringing the cup back to Limerick for the second successive year.

First round this year takes us against a Cashel side that has become one of the success stories of the last few seasons. Like ourselves four years ago, they ran for the last season unbeaten and gained promotion on the back of a fantastic run in the UBL gaining division 2A status after only 12 months at 2B level. Another club that has reaped the rewards of a good underage system they have travelled up the Junior ranks over the last few years knocking at the door of the Senior ranks for a year or two prior to making that final leap.

From our point of view, our run in the league finished very strongly as we came out on top of games against three of the top four teams in our division in the second half of the season after a rough starting half, to finish up maintaining our status in Division 1B. It’s going to be a tight game with no quarter asked or given, it’ll be very interesting to see which side comes out on top, of course I’m rooting for Bruff. Kick off at 2:30pm on Saturday in Kilballyowen Park.

First round of the Munster Senior Seconds league takes place either Sunday or Monday night (Not fixed at the time of publication) and we have the J2 squad lining out in the McInerny cup against St. Senans on Saturday, again time TBC.

Just another note, we are accepting players at all levels from total beginners to experienced, from anyone who wants to play socially or who wants to get a little more serious, all squads from U20, J2 & J1 level are starting out afresh with anew season so if you fancy getting involved then why not just show up on a Tuesday or Thursday night from 7:00pm onwards.

Ladies are still taking in beginners and/or more experienced players, they are training on Monday and Friday evenings at 8:00pm after the fitness classes.

Friday evening there are two U14 squads with game against Glenstal, check the website for details.

As usual, underage training etc. at the usual times, contact the coaches at the various grades.

Keep an eye out on the website www.bruffrfc.com, facebook onwww.facebook.com/bruffrfc or twitter on www.twitter.com/bruffrfc for updates and fixture changes as the week progresses.

Bruffman George Clancy will get the big European weekend underway when he referees the European Challenge Cup final between Northampton Saints and Bourgoin at the Twickenham Stoop on Friday, May 22 (kick-off 7.45 pm).

George, who won the Munster Referee of the Year award in 2007, refereed the Churchill Cup final two years ago at Twickenham and joined Irish colleagues Alain Rolland and Alan Lewis on the IRB’s International Referee Panel last season. In a notable double for Limerick Peter Fitzgibbon, who was recently added to the International Referee Panel, will be the fourth official on duty for the Northampton Saints v Bourgoin tie. The Thomond clubman refereed Bourgoin’s semi-final win over Worcester Warriors earlier this month.

Clanwilliam and Shannon man John Lacey is a touch judge for the game along with the Limerick Lads.

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:

CLICK HERE: O2 Engage : Mobile Phones and Broadband : Telefonica O2 : Ireland

Mon 18^th Friday 22^nd august, Rugby Summer Camp , 6-14 year olds.

More details will be announced later on in the month. Keep an eye out here for details.

Underage coaches are being put in place for next season, any new coaches or mentors interested in getting involved in any capacity this coming season should contact Pat Gennery or John O’ Grady on 086-3395925

Bruff Rugby Football Club

Underage Development Programme and Senior XV Management squad announcement.

George Clancy gets the European Challenge Cup Final

Rugby Summer Camp and Underage Coaching.