Social | Bruff Rugby Football Club

In what was a busy weekend for the club with 2 games in the club on Saturday and an 18 cup final on Sunday it was a busy time for yours truly keeping up with everything going on. Our exhibition game in memory of Alfie Laffan kicked off at 12.30 and though conditions were blustery it was a testament to the man and fitting, the fantastic turnout from all who turned out in his memory speaking to Brendan Deady and Cathal o Reagen after the game, no one had to be asked a second time which resulted with up to 50 players togging out, now the pace of play may have slowed considerably but some of the skills haven’t left and some would still not have been out of place on the main pitch 2 hrs later. It was fantastic to see some of the players that have had brought success to the club mixing on and of the field and it brought a fantastic atmosphere about the club throughout the day, with so many of the players with their wife’s, partners and their young families remenising having a good catch-up in the bar after, an hopefully maybe this might find a place in the club calendar on an annual basis.

U20’s Captains IX
Trevor CaseyPaddy WalshCathal O’Regan Dave HoranCormac HayesMike McCarthy James McCarthyGer O Connell Padraig Keogh (c)Philip HoganNiall lynch Peter MaloneWillie LynchMartin O Rourke Maghnus CollinsWillie CaseyJohn CarrollTony TrehyFinbarr HoganAdrian O BrienGarry LeonardDonagh McCarthyMark CosgroveShane DoonaRichie McAuliffe Philip Moloney

ManagersGer McNamara Eamon DowlingJohn Finn

Bateman Cup Presidents IX
Gearoid RyanMossie O DonnellJohn HoganStephen Foster (c)Ger CollinsRichie Flanagan Eamon CookeSean DanaherBrian MorrisseyDermot MurnaneMikey CarrollDanny KeoghDave GardinerTony CahillBrian CahillDerek DowlingPaul O SheaTom O Callaghan John MaloneAndrew CashmanBrendan DeadyPaudie kilcoyne Alan kilcoyne Dave ConwayRonan Kirby Davy Clarke
ManagersWillie ConwayMicheal LeahyJames Ryan Derry Bowman

Stephen Foster receiving the ‘Alfie Laffan’ memorial trophy from the President Mr Neilus Noonan along with the Vice President Mr Michael Cahill

Bruff RFC’s heroes of seasons-gone-by will roll back the years in aid of a good cause on Saturday, April 13^th, as two teams made up of the club’s past players take each other on in Kilballyowen Park.

The game is being played in memory of former Bruffs second row Alfie Laffan, with all of the gate proceeds on the day going to Milford Hospice. It will be the prelude to an All-Ireland League clash between the senior teams of Bruff and Midleton, both of whom are flying high at the moment and vying for promotion from Division 2C.

Bruff’s senior side are unbeaten at home this season, and their game represents a chance for the current batch of players to take a step closer to adding a new chapter in the club’s proud history.

Many of those responsible for previous historical highlights – such as promotion from the ranks of Junior rugby and winning the All Ireland Bateman Cup a few years later – will feature in the warm-up game. Everyone playing will have called Alfie Laffan a teammate at some point in their playing career. The fixture provides an opportunity for those on and off the field to share their memories of a very fondly-remembered clubman, who died in 2014 after battling cancer.

President of Bruff Neilus Noonan said it is a mark of how respected Alfie was that so many players were willing to dust off their boots for the veterans’ game.

“Alfie was a giant of a man on the field and a gentleman off of it. He was part of two All-Ireland winning Bruffteams, at Under-20s and at senior for the Bateman Cup.We’re delighted to be able to mark his memory in this unique way, with so many of his former teammates running once more on to the field where he learned how to play the game,” said the President.

A big crowd is expected in Kilballyowen Park for the two fixtures, with the veterans’ clash kicking off at 12.30pm and the senior game starting at 2.30pm. All proceeds taken at the gate on the day will be donated to Milford Hospice. If you cannot make the fixture andwould still like to make a donation to mark the event, you can do so through Bruff RFC. Donations can be lodged with the reference ‘Alfie Laffan Commemorative Game’ and the following account details.

Account name: Bruff RFC

IBAN: IE92AIBK93521240446578

BIC: AIBKIE2D