Bruff Rugby Football Club

Munster Senior Challenge Cup
Bruff v Midleton in Bruff
25th October 2014 @ 01:30pm

The senior team were at home to Midleton on Saturday in the 2nd  round of the Munster Senior cup. Bruff made a number of changes coming into the game. Up front Ray Roche came in at loose head in place of Davie Horan ,Colm O Sullivan in for Stephen Foster and Barry Laffan and Mike Cooke starting in place of Ger o Connell  and Danny Keogh. In the backline Mark Cosgrove Started on the wing with Dave O Grady keeping his place at 10. There was also a few new faces on the bench with Timmy Quirke, Tommy Carroll and Robbie Finn all being drafted in for this game.

Bruff got off to a great start, scoring a try within 3 minutes. Centre Darragh Mulcahy barrelling over for the 5 pointer with Deccie Bannon adding the conversion. 10 Minutes later Bannon got in for his 1st of four try’s, a fantastic individual effort chipping the ball over the on rushing Midleton Defence and collecting the kick before touching down. The next Bruff score came 15 minutes later in the 23^rd minute of play. A series of good forward plays followed by some crisp hands resulting in Bannon touching down by the corner flag at the stand side, the final pass coming courtesy of Mark Cosgrove. The Conversion was missed leaving the score 17-0 to Bruff. But Midleton weren’t ready to lie down and rollover. The visitors held on to the ball for most of the remainder of the half and were rewarded with a try on 38 minutes from their winger Alan Aherne. He failed to convert his own try leaving the score 17-5 at half time to Bruff.

Bruff struck again early after the break with a 3^rd try from Bannon. Bruff turned the ball over and hacked a kick down into the visitors 22. Bannon won the foot race with his opposite number kicking the ball soccer style ahead of himself to touch down for the 5 pointer which he converted. But again Midleton showed their character and quickly bounced back with 2 trys of their own from winger Aherne and centre Alan Long. The score was now 24-15 with 20 min to play.

Playing into a stiff breeze the Bruff pack started to take control of the breakdown winning a number of penalties and working the ball into the right part of the field from a Bruff point of view. The next Bruff score came with 15 left on the clock. Similar to the 2^nd try the Bruff pack worked the ball into a good position before the backs moved it wide for Bannon to touch down for his 4^th of the game. Bruff weren’t finished yet and added a 6^th try from winger Mark Cosgrove who showed some great feet beating a number of defenders before closing out the game with his 2^nd try in as many games.

Bruff now go on to meet Cork Constitution in the ¼ Final, Date TBC.

Bruff 1-8, Ray Roche, John Clery, Colm O Sullivan, Kevin Madigan, Barry Laffan, Michael Cooke, Andrew White, Jake Considine,9-15 Tony Cahill, David O’Grady, Mark Cosgrave, Darrah Mulcahy, Sean D’Arcy, Declan Bannon, Brendan Deady, Subs Dave Horan, Timothy Quirke, Gerard O’Connell, Michael Carroll, Tommy Carroll, Robert Finn, Danny Keogh, Stephen Foster

The next league game is next Saturday away to DLSP. Supporter’s bus is leaving Bruff town at 9:45 am next Saturday 1st Nov. Costs is €20 per adult and €10 per child.  Family max cost €50.All welcome, still taking orders for travel. If you want to travel contact Mike on 0871386244.

North Munster U20 League Group A
Bruff v Garryowen in Kilballyowen Park

Unfortunately the u20’s North Munster league game didn’t take place today, Both teams were togged and ready to play but no referee turned up.