Weekend Rugby round up, 28.03.2016

Mar 282016

Seniors Vs Tullamore

The seniors travelled to Tullamore at the weekend knowing they needed a huge performance if they were going to remain in the playoff places. Tullamore occupied second place in the league going into the game and were the only team that could knock league leaders Old Crescent off top spot. Tullamore have the best defence in the league and have racked up six try bonus wins on the way to a title chasing position. However Bruff had already proven that they can beat the Offaly outfit having won 22-15 when the sides met in the reverse fixture earlier this season.

Saturday’s contest was a tight affair with very few chances presenting themselves in the opening 40. Both sides managed to convert a penalty each in the first half which meant the sides went into the half time break level on 3 points each. Bruff’s score came after fifteen minutes from the boot of Declan Bannon after Tullamore had infringed illegally at a Bruff lineout.

Tullamore were quick out of the blocks in the second half and scored the only try of the game after just seven minutes of the second period to make it 8-3 to the home side. Little did they know at the time but the missed conversion was to prove costly. Try scoring opportunities were few and far between and the game was to be decided by the boot of Deccie Bannon. Bannon nailed a penalty in the 56^th minute to make it 8-6 and again stepped up in the 72^nd minute to nail a monster kick from 45 metres for what would be the game winning kick. The result means that Tullamore are now out of the title race but more importantly for Bruff it means that Bruff have now qualified for a promotion playoff spot.

Declan Bannon on Kicking Duty

Dundalk are the visitors to Bruff on Saturday for what is set-up to be a very interesting afternoon. Dundalk are one of four teams still fighting relegation going into the last day of the season and they will be travelling to Bruff with a lot at stake. Likewise Bruff have something to play for. If results were to go Bruff’s way, starting with a home win, we could still potentially qualify for a home semi-final.

Saturdays game has a 2.30pm K.O. and a large crowd is anticipated for what could be the seniors last game of the season. Please come along and support.

Bruff Team : 1.Dave Horan 2.Johnny Hogan 3. Keith Laffan 4.Barry Laffan 5.Brian Morissey 6.Cillian Rea 7.Mikey Carroll 8.Paddy Clery 9.Davy O Grady 10.Tony Cahill 11. Mark Cosgrove 12. Sean Darcy 13.Declan Bannon 14.Barry Enright 15. Brendan Deady 16. Keith Laffan 17. Danny Keogh 18. Neilus Keogh 19 Graham Whelan 20 Darragh Mulcahy

U20’s Play-off

The under 20’s travelled to Coonagh on Saturday to take on Shannon in a winner takes all playoff game. The reward for the winners was an all-Ireland quarter final spot but unfortunately things didn’t go Bruff’s way losing by the tightest of margins 16-15. Bruff had tries on 5 and 65 minutes from Jack O Grady as well as a 70^th minute try from Liam Tracey. Bruff left too much to do and only really got going after O’Grady’s 65^th minute try. Shannon now progress to play UCD while Bruff’s attention turns the upcoming cup.

Congratulations to the u10’s

The u10’s were in action on Good Friday travelling to Coonagh to play in their annual mini rugby festival. It was a great day for Bruff who went on the win the u10’s section beating UL Bohs 3 tries to nil in the very competitive final. Bruff had wins over Ennis, Shannon & St Senans on the way to the final conceding 1 try and scoring 11 en-route to the decider. Bruff’s second team also played some great rugby taking on Loughrea, Shannon & UL Bohs in the pool games and St Senans in the 5^th/6^th place play off. Well done to all involved, the future of underage rugby in Bruff looks bright.

Thanks to Seamus McElligot and Carmel Ryan for the fantastic Photos..

U11’s play in Thomand Park

Well done to the u11’s who played at half time of the Munster vs Zebra game on Friday night. They had a great evening and would like to thank Munster rugby for the opportunity