Club Notes: Week Ending 21.01.2016

This week’s club notes come from Bruff, Old Crescent and Thurles rugby clubs.

Click here for Bruff Club Notes Click here for Old Crescent Club Notes

Click here for Thurles Club Notes


Bruff RFC

Courtesy of:- Seamus Sheahan, Club PRO

UBL Round 11

Hamilton Park in Sligo was the venue for the first xv for this round 11 game in the UBL. The teams had already crossed swords in November with Bruff coming out on top in a 19-0 home win in Kilballyowen Park. Sligo who currently lie second from bottom have shown signs of improvement in recent weeks and were unlucky not to beat second place Tullamore in their previous game. Bruff on the other hand hadn’t played in nearly a month, a 15-9 home win over league leaders Old Crescent.

The game didn’t start well for Bruff and Sligo were ahead 5-0 after only five minutes of play. Bruff lost possession in their own 22 and Sligo took full advantage touching down in the corner for the opening score. The 10 minutes before half time were to be the most fruitful for Bruff, but it was to be the only period of the game where Bruff were able to turn dominance into points.

Bruff’s opening score came on 30 minutes when second row Mike Cooke barged over from short range for a try which was converted by Tony Cahill. Sligo replied quickly and regained the lead a few minutes later with a penalty to make it 8-7 to the home side. Bruff attacked from the restart and got in for a second try when Tony Cahill broke in the corner to score a try which he managed to convert from the touchline.

Bruff now lead 14-8 but it was Sligo who would have the final say in the opening half scoring an unconverted try before the break to make it 14-13.
The second half turned into a scrappy affair riddled with mistakes, knock-ons and unforced errors. The only score of the half was a penalty for Sligo on 66 minutes which turned out to be the winning kick to the delight of the home team.

This weekend third placed Wanderers who beat Tullamore at the weekend are the visitors to Kilballyowen. Bruff now occupy fourth place and will need a massive effort to stay in touch with the top teams in the league. When the sides met in November it was Bruff who left the capital with the win thanks to a last minute penalty kicked from the boot of Tony Cahill in a 21-19 victory.

Bruff Team : 1.Dave Horan 2.Johnny Hogan 3.Brendan Keogh 4.Barry Laffan 5.Mike Cooke 6.Cillian Rea 7.Mikey Carroll 8.Paddy Clery 9.Davy O Grady 10.Tony Cahill 11.Tom O Callaghan 12. Darra Mulcatie 13.Brian Cahill 14.Mark Cosgrove 15.Graham Whelan 16. Timmy Quirke 17. Andrew White 18. Neilus Keogh 19 Barry Enright 20 Sean Darcy

U20’s leave it late to defeat Highfield.
The u20’s were made to work hard for a 16-11 home win against a dogged Highfield team when the sides met in Bruff on Saturday. Oisin Walsh and Kevin McManus where to prove the difference between the sides with Walsh scoring a try and McManus kicking 11 points from the tee. The try came mid-way through the second half when Bruff turned down a shot at goal and kicked to the corner instead of taking the 3 points. Bruff won the lineout and moved the ball wide after sucking in the Highfield defence before Walsh popped up in the centre for the score.
Bruff now lie in second place in the league with three wins after four rounds just behind Cork Con on score difference.

Saturdays Team, 1. Shane Breen 2 Brian Bulfin 3 Eamon O Dea 4 Cian Mulqueen 5 Kevin Tracey 6 Robert Laffan 7 Billy O Donoghue 8 Sean Hartigan 9 Pa Maher 10 Jack O Grady 11 Liam Tracey 12 Adam Sheehy 13 Conor Fitzpatrick 14 Anthony Foley 15 Kevin McManus 16 Darren O Farrell 17 Darragh Moore 18 Aaron Daly 19 Niall Byrnes 20 Daragh Fanning 21 Oisin Walsh

Junior Cup

The J1 team were in action on Sunday in round 1 of the Munster Junior cup suffering a heavy 27-0 defeat to cup favourites Richmond. Richmond ran in 4 try’s and now go on to meet St Senans in the next round.
The u18’s were also in action on Sunday beating Sundays Well 26-0 at home in Bruff, while the u16’s we beaten 14-7 away to Nenagh Ormond.


Underage Rugby Used Clothes Collection


For the months of January and February the Underage Rugby Club are having a Used Clothes Collection to help act as a fundraiser for the Underage tour to Manchester that they are going on from March 24th – 27th.
If you have any old clothes, pairs of shoes, handbags, belts that are suitable to donate please bring them along to the designated drop off point at the Club.
The clothes will then be stored until they are collected at the end of February. All funds collected will be put towards the tour. As usual your help and participation with this is greatly appreciated by the Under 14 and Under 15 teams who are travelling.
Please look for the Sign for the Designated Drop Point at the club near the Entrance to the Dressing Rooms. Signs will be placed around the Clubhouse to remind people of the collection.

Fixture’s: please keep an eye on the website for the latest fixtures which will be updated by Wednesday Each week. www.bruffrfc.com

Old Crescent RFC

Courtesy of:- Frank Larkin, Club PRO

The Old Crescent win over Nenagh Ormond in the first round of the Munster Junior Cup in Rosbrien last Sunday afternoon rounded off a very successful few days of senior rugby for Old Crescent RFC, with our Under 20 side winning the North Munster Under 20 League Final for the third time in a row last Thursday and our Senior side crushing Dundalk in a UBL clash in Rosbrien last Saturday.

In a top versus bottom of the table clash, it was always on the cards that Old Crescent would beat Dundalk but the manner in which it was achieved was most impressive. However, it did take us a while to settle into the game and we conceded too many penalties in the first half which resulted in us being down to 13 men towards the end of the first half.



We opened the scoring with a super try by Larry Hanly, which was set up by a fantastic reverse pass from our winger Marty Ryan which flat footed the Dundalk defence. Larry kicked the conversion from the touch line. The needless concession of penalties by Crescent was keeping Dundalk in the game and they had their best period midway through the first half when they scored an unconverted try.

Coming up to the break, Brendan Guilfoyle grabbed a Dundalk fumble and ran away to score in the corner, flattening a Dundalk defender with a textbook hand-off in the process. The conversion was missed leaving the half time score Old Crescent 12 Dundalk 5.

The half time team talk must have worked as the Crescent side finally showed why they are at the top of the table in the second half. The tone was set by our Captain, Cathal O’Reilly, who barged over the Dundalk line just a few minutes after the restart. This was followed a few minutes later by another charge over the Dundalk line by Padraig Monaghan for the bonus point fourth try, Larry Hanly kicked the conversion. A few minutes later, Larry burst through the Dundalk defence to score his second try and he again kicked the conversion to put us 31 points to 5 ahead.

With a bonus point win in the bag midway through the second half, Crescent might have eased off but it was heartening to see our team continue to press forward until the final whistle. Crescent scored three further tries in the last fifteen minutes of the game against a tiring Dundalk side, a second try by Brendan Guilfoyle and tries by Sean Monaghan and Marty Ryan. All three were converted by Shane O’Brien. The final score was Old Crescent 52 Dundalk 5, with Crescent scoring eight tries in total.

This comprehensive victory, together with results elsewhere going our way, means that Crescent are now five points clear at the top of UBL Division 2C, with 11 games played and 7 games remaining. We continue to make our own luck and the future is bright if we continue to play like we did last Saturday.

On Sunday, Old Crescent took the field in Rosbrien against Nenagh Ormond in the first round of the Munster Junior Cup. In a keenly contested but low scoring game, Nenagh were first to score with a converted penalty after 12 minutes. Crescent replied with a long range penalty kicked by Conor Lenihan a few minutes later. Both teams battled valiantly throughout the first half but there were no further scores until just before the break Conor Lenihan was successful with another penalty kick to put us 6 points to 3 ahead at half time.

Ten minutes into the second half, Nenagh levelled the scores with successful penalty kick. The decisive score came when David Hurley crashed over the Nenagh line after a period of Crescent pressure in the Nenagh 22. The conversion was missed but Crescent went further ahead when Conor Lenihan was again successful with a long range penalty attempt to put us more than a score ahead at 14 points to 6 with 20 minutes remaining.

Crescent played sensible cup rugby and the game was mostly played deep in the Nenagh half for the remainder of the game. The final score of Old Crescent 14 Nenagh Ormond 6 rounded off a most successful few days of senior rugby for Old Crescent RFC.

Last Thursday evening on the 3G pitch in Dooradoyle, Old Crescent RFC retained the Under 20 North Munster League Final against Tipperary opposition for the second year running, this year against Clanwilliam and last year against Nenagh.

Old Crescent dominated the early period of the game and had a very good scoring opportunity from a driving maul off a line out that ultimately led to a penalty in front of the posts which was converted by Conor Lenihan to give us a slender 3-0 lead after 10 minutes.

Old Crescent set up a magnificent effort with a penalty option being kicked to the corner and what appeared like a training ground move working superbly, with Cian Reale taking the initial line out and the pack driving on to force play over the line with Geoffrey Coyne being credited with the try, duly converted by Conor Lenihan to give us a 10-0 lead after 25 minutes.

Clanwilliam then had their best period of the game and began to make more frequent visits to the Crescent half, which up to that point had been rare. A penalty by their outhalf on 30 minutes was followed up by a period of dominance by their pack, which yielded a further penalty opportunity which slipped wide, but they were not to be denied as they continued to press and although Crescent had a penalty to clear their lines, they failed to find touch and found themselves under further pressure again.

Clanwilliam elected to scrummage a further penalty opportunity and although this was initially repelled, a number of ‘pick and gos’ eventually breached the Crescent line and this was duly converted to leave the sides level at 10-10 at half time.

Crescent were the slower of the sides to settle into the second half, with a number of errors surfacing. However, Gavin Hogan’s break from play into the Clanwilliam 22 metre area brought us within five metres of their line, which was followed by a trademark direct burst from Paul McNamara who touched down to the left of the posts, with the conversion added by Conor Lenihan.

Clanwilliam needed to score next as line breaks were few and far between for them, with Crescent able to cope with whatever came their way. Still with just a score between the sides it was anybody’s game – Crescent had a further opportunity when Sean Fitzgerald broke through followed by another break by Paul McNamara. Although Clanwilliam continued to have a lot of possession, much of this was outside the Crescent 22 metre area and Crescent were able to clear their lines without conceding penalties.

As the game entered the latter stages, the next nearest scoring opportunity fell to Dave Garry who was unfortunate not to ground the ball as he crossed the line and was bundled into touch, with the referee giving Clanwilliam some breathing space by awarding a 22 metre drop out. Crescent should really have closed out the game in this area of the pitch but one last rally from Clanwilliam saw them awarded 3 penalties on the bounce as they took the game from inside their 10 metre line into the Crescent 22 metre area. But time ran out for them and Old Crescent were not to be denied. The final score Old Crescent 17 Clanwilliam 10.

This was a magnificent performance from the entire Old Crescent Under 20 squad, backs and forwards alike. The side’s dedication and commitment in response to our new Under 20 coaching set up is a credit to the players and the coaches. Well done to all concerned.

Next weekend, our senior side entertain Sligo in the UBL in Rosbrien at 2.30pm next Saturday. Our Under 20 side are also due to play Sundays Well in the Donal Walsh Trophy at home at 2.30pm next Saturday.



Old Crescent RFC Under 20 Squad. Winners of North Munster Under 20 League Final by 17 points to 10 against Clanwilliam RFC, 7 January 2016.
Pictured left to right back row, Mark Dillon, Arron Diviney, Adam Cunningham, Gavin Hogan, Sean Fitzgerald, Conor Lenihan, Sean Naughton, Geoffrey Coyne, Cian Reale, Sean Hensey. Thomas O’Donnell, Ian Clien, James Brennan. Front row, Joe Doyle, Stephen Monaghan, Even Moloney, Paul McNamara, Rory Cunningham (Captain), Niall Hardiman, Andrew Harrison, Sean Garry, Aidan Cregan, and Val McDermott.

Thurles RFC

Courtesy of:- Brian Scanlon, Club PRO

Thurles RFC Continue 8 Game Winning Streak And Advance To Round 2 Of The Munster Junior Cup

Thurles RFC vs. Newcastle West RFC – Munster Junior Cup

Newcastle West RFC 13 – 18 Thurles RFC

The Thurles First XV were in action for the first time in 2016 on Sunday last as they took to road as far as Newcastle West to take on the Division 1 side in the first round of the Munster Junior Cup. Thurles were travelling in the hope of causing an upset against a side who pushed Clonmel all the way for the 1st Division Title last season and were hoping that the 4 week layoff over the Christmas period wouldn’t result in cobwebs or rustiness, Newcastle West had a game under their belt the previous week which should have helped their match fitness.

Thurles suffered a setback prior to kick-off with Shane Lanigan-Ryan failing a late fitness test having picked up an injury at training on Friday night but Thurles had the luxury of welcoming Club Captain, Eoghan O’Dwyer back into the fold following his long injury lay off to ensure that the side was in no way weakened.

The men from Loughtagalla who were looking to continue their recent great run of victories, seemed well up for this game and took the game to the Limerick side from the off, after a few exchanges early on, Thurles were presented with a chance to open the scoring with a penalties, Aidan Dwyer stepped up and split the posts for the first score of the day, 0-3.

The next 10 minute period gave rise to a cheer from the home crowd as an over anxious Thurles defender raced out of the line to provide a rare gap for the speedy Newcastle West winger to race over in the corner and score what would be hard to say a deserved try given Thurles’ dominance in the opening quarter. The home side’s kicker slotted the conversion for the maximum with an excellent kick from the corner, 7-3.

Thurles continued to dominate this first half and the front row of McCormack, Kelly & Skehan were proving to be more than a handful for their counterparts. The Tipp men were looking dangerous with every attack with Eoghan O’Dwyer, Peter Coman & Joey Kelly asking plenty of questions of the Newcastle West defence, Thurles again were awarded a penalty for not releasing in the tackle and Aidan Dwyer stepped up once again to get his second of the day to peg back the score to the minimum, 7-6.

Newcastle West restarted the game and it was Larry O’Gorman who leaped highest to claim the ball from the air but in doing so he was dangerously tackled in the air and Thurles were awarded a penalty which was able to bring them inside the home side’s 22. Thurles secured their own line out through Phil Kelly who conducted proceedings in the pack before a ‘West’ player was sin binned for an infringement in the maul, but this yellow card was primarily due to persistent fouling on his team’s behalf.

Thurles were awarded a scrum as the game restarted, Irwin fed his out-half Dwyer, who in turn got both Shane Moloney’s involved, first up was Shane (K) who made excellent ground up the centre before excellently offloading to Dwyer again who drew the defender in before sending full back Shane (B) away to touch down to the left of the posts to reclaim the lead, Moloney was full worth for his try as this was most likely his finest performance to date in his debut season with the Thurles First XV. Dwyer added the extra’s for the full seven points to leave Thurles ahead at the break, 7-13.

The second half kicked off with Thurles knowing that they were 40 minutes away from causing a major Cup shock. The first quarter of the second half saw a lot of kicking with both sides looking for possession but it was eventually the home side who opened the scoring in the second half with a penalty just outside the Thurles 22 to reduce the deficit to 10-13.

The home support might have thought that this penalty was the platform for their team to push on and finish off their Division 2 opposition but this Thurles team had other ideas, from the kick-off Newcastle West exited with a high box kick which Peter Coman made easy work of despite the pressure of opposition chasers, the ruck was set up and Thurles started to make their way up the field. Ciaran Ryan who was putting in another fantastic game made good yards up the field, ably supported by second half sub, Luke Kelly and winger Adrian Bourke who was heavily involved all day.

Thurles continued to turn the screw and it was Shane Moloney (K) who pierced through the centre once again to bring play well inside the Newcastle West 22, Moloney popped to the oncoming Aidan Dwyer in support, who made a few more yards before presenting the ball for Irwin to distribute, Irwin found Ger McCormack down the blind and the prop excellently drew in two defenders before excellently offloaded to Paddy Phelan who dived over with inches to spare in the corner for what was a superb team try start to finish, the conversion was missed but Thurles’ made this a two score game heading into the last quarter, 10-18.

Thurles had crossed the line again within minutes, with what has to be described (would have been) as one of the tries of the season, from the kick off, Peter Coman recovered the sloppy ball along the ground, he disposed of his opposite number along the sideline before doing the same to another would be tackler, he offloaded in field to Phelan in support who in turn found Skehan in full speed, he attracted the attention of 2 defenders before setting Shane Moloney (B) off, Moloney won the race to the corner and the Referee awarded the try, before Thurles could take the conversion, the Newcastle West lines man drew the attention of the referee to state that Coman had put a foot in touch, this was a shocking call as Peter was 3 or 4 yards from the touchline, in fairness to the referee he had no choice but to take the word of his lines man and so play was brought back inside the Thurles 22 with the home side having the attacking lineout.

Thurles introduced some fresh legs for the final 10 minutes with John Lillis making a welcome return to the black and white of Thurles, replacing Adrian Bourke who had put in a good day’s work on the wing.

Newcastle West restarted the game with the attacking lineout in the hope of getting themselves back into the game, they were met with a monster Thurles defence which eventually saw the Tipp men man handle the Newcastle West maul and drove them out over the touchline in the dead ball line, resulting in a Thurles 22 drop out.


The home side were awarded a penalty for a player not rolling away and they took their chances by slotting it over in the hope of making their way down the field for a try to claim the tie with the score now reading 13-18. Thurles went long with the restart and the Newcastle West counter attack was met with a black wall of resistance, the home side went left, right and eventually backwards as the Thurles men were in no mood to give up their place in this year’s Junior Cup.

Newcastle West eventually gave into the relentless pressure from the Thurles defence with Luke Kelly forcing a turnover as a member of the opposition found himself isolated, Kelly supported by Ryan Dave Kelly didn’t hesitate in getting his hands on the ball before the Limerick man was penalised for holding onto the ball on the ground, Thurles kicked to touch to bring an end to the game and cause one of the upsets of the day.

This fantastic win see’s Thurles get a bye into the 3rd Round of the Munster Junior Cup where they will face senior side Young Munster at home on a date to be confirmed. This win in the Junior Cup was a great start to the 2016, with the final of the Munster Junior Challenge Shield to look forward to already, Thurles now turn their attention back to League action when they face another away fixture in Kinsale this coming weekend as they continue the promotion push.

Following this great win last weekend, the Thurles First XV players and management would like to thank all those who travelled to the game on Sunday to support the team, it was greatly appreciated by all involved especially in the closing mintutes when all encouragement was needed for tiring bodies to help see out the win. We hope to see as many as possible make the trip to Kinsale next weekend.

Thurles Scorers: Shane Moloney (B) & Paddy Phelan (1 Try Each), Aidan Dwyer (1 Conversion & 2 Penalties).
Thurles Squad vs Newcastle West: 1. Ger McCormack 2. Dave Kelly 3. Colm Skehan 4. Phil Kelly 5. Larry O’Gorman 6. Ciaran Ryan 7. Paddy Phelan 8. Joey Kelly 9. Nicky Irwin 10. Aidan Dwyer 11. Peter Coman 12. Shane Moloney (Killinan) 13. Eoghan O’Dwyer (Capt.) 14. Adrian Bourke 15. Shane Moloney (Ballycahill) 16. Shane Nugent 17. Rory O’Dwyer 18. Dwayne Stanley 19. Luke Kelly 20. John Lillis.