James Keating Memorial Rugby Festival 2016

The James Keating Mini Rugby memorial festival occurred on Bank Holiday Monday, 31^st October.  A total of 20 teams participated in what turned out to be a great day’s rugby. An excellent crowd was present throughout the day and provided great support to all the teams that played some excellent games in the warm Autumn sunshine.

The teams that participated included two teams from Bruff, the other teams included the following, Ballina/Killaloe RFC, Cashel RFC, Clanwilliam RFC, Kanturk RFC, Kilfeacle RFC, Monivea RFC, Nenagh RFC, Old Crescent RFC, Portarlington RFC, Richmond RFC, Shannon RFC, St. Mary’s RFC, St. Senans RFC, Thomond RFC, Young Munster RFC.  Our thanks go to all of the teams that participated on the day and that played the games in a competitive and sporting environment.

The Bruff Lions team got through to the final of the Keating Cup where their opponents were first time Keating Cup competitors Monivea.  The game itself was an excellent game, competitive, played in a sporting manner with good support provided by the crowd attending the festival. In the end the Bruff Lions got the crucial scores winning on a score line of 2 – 0 with approval from the home support. The result of the game meant that Bruff retained the Keating Cup for a third successive year.

The Impact Rugby Sponsored Shield was presented to the winning captain of Old Crescent by Neilus Noonan (Incoming President Bruff RFC. The Kilballyowen Plate was presented to the winning captain of St. Senans also by Neilus Noonan.

The Keating Cup was presented to the winning captain by Marian Keating and the medals were presented to the victorious Bruff team by Nicholas Cooke, Bruff RFC, Club President.

Thanks also goes to Leo Mayne (Munster Association Referees) for providing the referees for the day who ensured player safety and also ensured the players enjoyed the games in a sporting environment. Thanks also to those who marked out the pitches and to those who helped co-ordinate the group stage games through to the final.

Thanks also to the Keating family who provided an excellent meal at the end of the evening to conclude the day.  Thanks goes to those who provided the hot food, drinks, soup and sandwiches on the day.