UBL final round
It’s a bitter pill to swallow but the seniors are in a relegation playoff after leaving Omagh with a 19.14 loss on Saturday. The losing bonus point would have been enough to keep them out of a play-off but for Tullamores 42-12 win over Bangor. The 30 point victory meant that Tullamore leap frogged Bruff on points difference.
The Bruff players were visibly disappointed after the game but every one of them can hold their heads high after a massive effort and showing of courage, spirit and a never say die attitude.
Bruff got off to a flying start going up 7-0 with a converted try. The move was started when winger Liam Tracey blocked an attempted clearance kick from the Omagh scrum half. The bouncing ball led to confusion and resulted in Bruff being awarded a scrum near the home sides 22. The Bruff front row of Dave Horan, John Clery and Keith Laffan had already asserted their dominance and the stable platform helped to put the wheels in motion for a Jack O Grady try under the posts. The young centre took a good line off his veteran out-half Tony Cahill who added the extra’s to make it 7-0.
Omagh went on the attack and enjoyed a long period of dominance which saw them go in 8-7 ahead at half time. It was a ferocious half of rugby with big hits coming from both sides. Unfortunately it saw Bruff ship 2 big injuries with both Danny Keogh and Tony Cahill leaving the pitch early due to hard knocks. There was able replacements at hand with David O Grady coming in for Tony and Maghnus Collins replacing Keogh.
Omagh added another penalty after half time but Bruff hit back with one of the tries of the season. A loose kick to the Bruff back 3 was returned with interest when picked up by the Bruff winger who made a 50 yard run before linking with Conor Fitzpatrick to score to the right of the posts. David O Grady hit a lovely conversion to make it 14.11 and move Bruff into the lead. But it was Omagh who enjoyed the best of the remainder of the game scoring a Penalty and a try to close out the game 19.14.
It was a disappointed dressing room after the game but the performance given by every player at the weekend gives us the supporter’s great hope that the squad can circle the wagons, regroup and come out fighting.
The playoff is scheduled for May 5th in Kilballyowen so we ask that all supporters, members, underage players, parents, past players and friends of Bruff RFC mark your diary and make the effort to come out and support the team against whatever opposition makes it through from the promotion play-offs.
Bruff Team: Davy Horan, Johnny Clery, Keith Laffan, Neilus Keogh, Tadgh O Dwyer, Seanie Hartigan, Cillian Rea, Danny Keogh, Cian Clifford, Tony Cahill, Liam Tracey , Conor Fitzpatrick, Jack O Grady, Davy O grady, Graham Whelan, Paddy Clery, Colm O Sullivan, Mike Cooke, Magnus Collins
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