AIB League: Half Century For Brilliant Bruff
It might have been a weekend to forget for Munster and Ireland prop John Hayes, but he will have been encouraged by the news that his home town club Bruff ran in seven tries for a 51-15 triumph over Sunday’s Well in Division Three.
The win moved Limerick side Bruff up to third in the table – they are now two points ahead of Nenagh Ormond with just one game to play.
At Musgrave Park on Saturday, Sunday’s Well, who had already assured their Division Three status, were left trailing by 31-15 at half-time as Bruff ran in four tries.
Credit to the ‘Well, they ran in a brace of tries of their own late in the half, with scrum half Paul Cotter sniping over off the back of a ruck and good hands from back rower Eamon Murphy put prop Francis Moynihan charging over for the second.
But Bruff were always capable of scoring, and from distance. They finished with a handsome tally of seven tries as Brian Cahill, John Malone, Finbarr Hogan, John Carroll, John Shine and Cathal O’Regan (2) all got off the mark. Out-half Cahill finished with a personal haul of 21 points as he kicked five conversions and two penalties, while winger Hogan was scoring for the third time in two league games.
Bruff, who are coached by Eugene Murnane and Eoin Cahill, finish out the regulation phase of the league at home to Connemara next Saturday, while Nenagh are at home to promoted side Wanderers.
Old Wesley and Instonians could still mathematically make the semi-finals but they would require bonus point wins next weekend and defeats for both Bruff and fourth-placed Nenagh.