It was an altogether mixed bag for teams out Kilballyowen way this weekend with the senior team narrowly going down to Ballymena and the other two adult teams recording good victories.
To begin, Saturday last saw the visit of Ballymena to Bruff in the third game of the AIL. After a good home win against Galwegians the previous win, confidence was high going into this game. However, Ballymena and, in particular, Richard Ainsworth were having other ideas. Ainsworth crossed in early to leave his side with a 7-0 advantage and taking the home side by surprise.
Peter Malone endeavored to turn the tide for Bruff and soon had the sides on level terms with a try soon after this. Brian Cahil duly stepped forward moments later to slot over a penalty, leaving the score 10-7 to the men from Bruff. Coming up to half time, Bruff still held the lead, this time through a Mark Cosgrave try.
This game swayed back and forth, however, with both sides swapping scores through Brian and Tony Cahil for Bruff and Blaine McIlroy, David O’ Hara and Ainsworth for Ballymena. At this stage it was a real humdinger of a game, with the outcome finally balanced on a knife edge. Bruff have history of coming out the better of these close affairs, and with the clock ticking down looked good to win the day on a scoreline of 25-24. Ballymena, once more, weren’t reading the script and dug deep to see substitute John Semple duck in for a try and then kick a penalty moments later to leave the final score reading 34-28 in favour of the Ulstermen.
The first team cannot rest on their laurels and scrutinise this result as next Friday sees them take on Garryowen under lights in Thomond Park at 7.30 pm in the final of the ODM Munster Senior Cup. This is a huge game for the reigning champions and all support is greatly appreciated.
In other adult news, the senior seconds were in action on Sunday away to UL Bohs. The fixture doubled as a league and Transfield Cup game. Behind for most of the game, Bruff eventually carved out a tight 22-21 win. John Carrol opened the Bruff account with a try in the first half with Barry Enright adding the conversion. Enright kicked a penalty mid way through the second half before Martin O’ Rourke scored a brace of trys from 2 push over scrums, one of which was converted.
Meanwhile, the junior seconds were out the previous day in the Gleeson League with a home games against St. Marys. Bruff were up 13-3 at half time thanks to tries from Noel Ford and Shane O Donnell with Richard McAuliffe adding a penalty. Bruff had to fight hard in the second half and held out for well-deserved a 13-10 victory.
Finally, the underage side of the club had a good weekend with a great 50-12 win for the under 16s over their St. Mary’s counterparts and the under 17s with a comprehensive 29-0 win away to Young Munsters.
Remeber to check out our face book page, follow us on twitter or go to our club website of www.bruffrfc.comfor all the latest fixtures, results and good humour. Don’t forget to wear your colours and lend your support in Thomond Park on Friday night on what is another huge occasion for this club of ours.
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