What a day!!!!!! Yesterday Sunday January 2nd 2011 will never be forgotten in Bruff RFC. Against all the odds Bruff defeated the Senior Cup specialist Garryowen in a pulsating match by 23pts to 19pts.
At approximately 13.55pm yesterday the Bruff XV took to the field at Thomond Park and received a tumultuous reception from nearly 2000 Bruff supporters who were corralled up in the East Stand
What followed for the next 90 odd minutes will never be surpassed in my opinion in the future.
Garryowen attacked Bruff at the earliest opportunity and executed a well rehearsed move which cut the Bruff defence to shreds and they scored the first try of the afternoon. Garryowen missed the easy conversion which followed.
Bruff XV gathered themselves and set about gaining ground and field position. Bruff were awarded a penalty which Brian Cahill nonchalantly knocked over. Shortly afterwards Cahill kicked another marvellous penalty to put Bruff ahead by 1pt.
Garryowen were awarded a penalty which was converted. What followed next will never be forgotten, Bruff opted to kick to touch when awarded a penalty and from the line out Peter Malone scored a brilliantly worked try which Brian Cahill converted from the touchline.
Five minutes later Bruff’s number 6 Alan Bourke blew away the Garryowen defence to scored a brilliant try under the post which was easily converted by Cahill. Score now was amazingly 20-8 to Bruff.
Garryowen converted one penalty and a drop goal before the break to leave only six points between the teams. 20-14.
Directly after the 2nd half started Bruff forced a penalty which Brian Cahill kicked.
This was to be Bruff’s last score off the game. Garryowen were forced to chase the game and pressurise Bruff for the remainder of the game. The famed Bruff defence, guile, rugby intelligence and most important heart came to the fore. Garryowen scored a try with 10 minutes remaining to crank up the pressure but Bruff were now playing superb rugby and their commitment to the cause was exemplary. Time after time big crunching tackles were made, turnovers were secured, and the ball was driven down the field. To chants of BRUFF,BRUFF,BRUFF which cascaded down from the East stand, all the guys played with utter determination and skill.
Garryowen launched one last enormous attack on Bruff and what seemed like an eternity they were only inches from the line when the Bruff pack,led by big Alan Bourke drove back the Garryowen forwards and were awarded a scrum. Final whistle. Bruff RFC 23pts Garryowen 19pts.
What followed was scenes of celebrations of unheralded magnitude.!!!!
Bruff RFC victorious Captain Cathal O Reagan received the much sought Munster Senior Cup to great acclaim from the unbelievable supporters of our little club.
WHAT A DAY!!!!!
Team, Davy Horan,Cathal O’ Regan (Capt),Gearoid Ryan, Alfie Laffan,Maurice O’ Connell,Alan Bourke,John Stephen Shine,Peter Malone, Eoghan Maher, Tony Cahill,Paul O Brien,Eoin Cahill,Brian Cahill, Andrew Cashman, Brendan Deady. Subs, Ger Collins, Mossy O’ Donnell, Garry Leonard,Mike Carroll,Brian Morrissey,John Moore, Tom O’ Callaghan, Paddy Cleary.