Bruff have shown other clubs the way forward

WHEN the topic of professionalism in the GAA is debated, very often the club rugby scene in Ireland is quoted as an example of how it can all go horribly wrong.

Ever since pay-for-play was introduced to rugby, goes the argument, the clubs have suffered, rugby at grassroots level has suffered. Well, I’ve never bought into that argument and last weekend I met someone who is as close as can be to those grassroots, someone who is totally familiar with the development side of rugby.

Mickey Cahill has been with Bruff RFC almost since its foundation 38 years ago; since that time he has seen this rural Co. Limerick club rise and rise. At under age they won All-Ireland titles at U16 and U20, at adult level they won three Munster Junior League titles in four years before finally making the breakthrough to senior ranks in 2004, having gone unbeaten through the All-Ireland play-offs.