Battling Bruff Get The Better Of ‘Wegians

The rain pelted down in the first half and Bruff had to recover from the concession of an early try, but they led 9-8 at half-time and captain Cathal O'Regan's try, early in the second half, set them on their way.

Galwegians have now lost four on the bounce and lacked a spark for long periods of this game, yet, in the heavy rain early on, they started well.

A good scrum in the visitors' 22 set them on the attack, Connacht back rower Eoin McKeon broke and a quick recycle on the blindside found lock Brian McClearn who powered over for a 5-0 lead.

That score failed to ignite the home side and the game was finely balanced from there on with two Brian Cahill penalties by the half hour mark giving the visitors the lead by one.

Home captain John Cleary then put his side back in front with an important kick just before half-time, yet there was still time for Cahill to respond with his third successful penalty.

Bruff started the second half at a breathless pace with a series of sustained attacks weakening home defence.

Alan Bourke and Peter Malone led the way and the try eventually came from hooker O'Regan. Cahill's well-struck coversion stretched the lead to 16-8.

It was 19-8 by the midway point of the half and Galwegians had full-back Rob O'Beirn in the sin-bin.

When O'Beirn returned, he kicked a penalty but it was a rare highlight for the home side who were struggling to make inroads despite the best efforts of Andrew Browne and McKeon up front and Darragh Fanning and Cleary in the back-line.

Bruff finished in the ascendency and Cahill added a late penalty. Hs centre partner, player-coach Eoin Cahill, led well in the back-line.

The Limerick outfit also had lineout superiority thanks to Alfie Laffan and the excellent Maurice O'Connell, and a scrum in fine nick proved vital. Bruff are very much on the right track and continue their rise up the table.

Referee: Michael Black (IRFU)