Bandon’s brave bid for promotion to the Ulster Bank League fell just short today as replacement Michael Carroll’s 79th-minute try secured a thrilling 24-17 play-off win for Bruff.
ULSTER BANK LEAGUE DIVISION 2C PROMOTION/RELEGATION PLAY-OFF: Saturday, May 5
BRUFF 24 BANDON 17, Kilballyowen Park
Scorers: Bruff: Tries: David O’Grady, Cillian Rea, Michael Carroll; Cons: Tony Cahill 2, David O’Grady; Pen: Tony Cahill
Bandon: Tries: Christian Mulcahy, Gearoid Crowley, Kerry Desmond; Con: Kerry Desmond
HT: Bruff 14 Bandon 7
Bruff held onto their Division 2C place for next season in determined fashion at Kilballyowen Park, making it 15 successive years as a senior club. Initially promoted in 2004, Bruff have competed across several divisions but finished second-from-bottom in the bottom tier this term, winning seven of their 18 games.
That left Eoin Cahill’s men scrapping for their All-Ireland League lives, requiring a victory at home to buoyant Bandon in order to stay up. The west Cork outfit travelled in confident mood, having finished second in the All-Ireland Provincial League Championship following wins over Ashbourne and Instonians, and more than played their part in a play-off match of huge intensity.
Winger Christian Mulcahy’s 16th-minute try, which came from their first serious attack and a break by Kiwi flanker Conall Bromwich, shot Bandon ahead but they ended the first half 14-7 down and with second row Enda Phelan in the sin-bin.
Evergreen centre Tony Cahill converted tries from David O’Grady, who profited from a break by Liam Treacy, and Cillian Rea to give the hosts a seven-point buffer. Rea managed to barge over after some fine approach work by O’Grady, Cahill and Michael Cooke.
Despite falling further behind through a Cahill penalty, Bandon redoubled their efforts and twice scored out wide through Gearoid Crowley (64 minutes) and former Cork Constitution centre Kerry Desmond (72). Both tries were unconverted, meaning the sides were level at 17 points apiece entering the final minutes.
Extra-time looked increasingly likely in Frenchman Regis Sonnes’ final game in charge of Bandon, but tenacious Bruff had other ideas. Following winger Tracey’s run up close to the Bandon line and several drives by the pack, Michael Carroll crashed over for the decisive try, converted by O’Grady, to keep the number of Limerick club in the league at seven.
BRUFF: Graham Whelan; Brian Fanning, Jack O’Grady, Tony Cahill, Liam Treacy; David O’Grady, Cian Clifford; David Horan, John Clery, Keith Laffan, Sean Hartigan, Neilus Keogh, Cillian Rea, Odhran Ring, Danny Keogh.
Replacements: Paddy Clery, Michael Carroll, Michael Cooke, Brendan Deady, Brian Cahill.
BANDON: Olan Crowley, Christian Mulcahy, Billy Crowley, Kerry Desmond, Gearoid Crowley; Rhys Harrold, Santiago Gonzalez; Michael Murphy, Scott Kingston, Timothy Crowley, Cian Buttimer, Enda Phelan, Conall Bromwich, Ryan Hayes, Tom Ferguson.
Replacements: Aidan Slattery, Mark Phelan, Kieran Phelan, Gearoid O’Leary, Jerry Crowley.
ULSTER BANK LEAGUE – DIVISIONAL RUNDOWN:
DIVISION 1A:
All-Ireland League champions: Lansdowne or Cork Constitution (Final, Aviva Stadium, 3pm, Sunday, May 6)
Division 1A promotion/relegation play-off winners: UCC (promoted)
Relegated: Buccaneers (automatic), St. Mary’s College (via play-offs)
Ten Division 1A clubs for next season: Lansdowne, Cork Constitution, Terenure College, Garryowen, Clontarf, Young Munster, UCD, Dublin University, Shannon, UCC
DIVISION 1B:
Division 1B champions/Promoted: Shannon
Division 1B promotion/relegation play-off winners: City of Armagh (promoted)
Relegated: Dolphin (automatic), UL Bohemians (via play-offs)
Ten Division 1B clubs for next season: St. Mary’s College, Buccaneers, Banbridge, Ballynahinch, Old Belvedere, Naas, Ballymena, Old Wesley, Malone, City of Armagh
DIVISION 2A:
Division 2A champions/Promoted: Malone
Division 2A promotion/relegation play-off winners: Navan (promoted)
Relegated: Corinthians (automatic), Greystones (via play-offs)
Ten Division 2A clubs for next season: Dolphin, UL Bohemians, Nenagh Ormond, Highfield, Cashel, Queen’s University, Blackrock College, Galwegians, Old Crescent, Navan
DIVISION 2B:
Division 2B champions/Promoted: Old Crescent
Division 2B promotion/relegation play-off winners: Belfast Harlequins
Relegated: City of Derry (automatic)
Ten Division 2B clubs for next season: Corinthians, Greystones, Rainey Old Boys, MU Barnhall, Wanderers, Sunday’s Well, Skerries, Dungannon, Sligo, Belfast Harlequins
DIVISION 2C:
Division 2C champions/Promoted: Sligo
All-Ireland Provincial League champions/Promoted: Ballina
Division 2C promotion/relegation play-off winners: Bruff
Relegated: Bective Rangers (automatic)
Ten Division 2C clubs for next season: City of Derry, Omagh, Thomond, Malahide, Midleton, Seapoint, Bangor, Tullamore, Ballina, Bruff
ALL-IRELAND PROVINCIAL LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND ROBIN SERIES:
All-Ireland Provincial League champions/Promoted: Ballina
Runners-up: Bandon (lost Division 2C promotion/relegation play-off to Bruff)
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