Magic from Malone inspires Instonians to title

WHEN the AIL’s most prolific attack faced the most suffocating defence, something had to give, in this Division Three final in Donnybrook on Saturday.

Ultimately it was the vaunted Bruff defence that finally cracked, with Instonians avenging a regular-season 6-5 defeat in some style.

The game was five minutes old when the first signs appeared that Bruff were in trouble. Having taken an early lead courtesy of a Brian Cahill penalty, they were carved open in midfield when Instonians inside-centre Michael McKeever made a telling 30-metre break, found man-of-the-match Niall Malone on his shoulder and the out-half dotted down under the posts. Twice more in the next 20 minutes the flying Instonians backs shredded that Bruff defence, with Malone involved each time. Winger Adam Telford scorched over for Instonians second try with full-back Owen McMurray — another impressive performer — getting in for the third.

Bruff had a try of their own, number eight Martin O’Rourke and openside John Stephen Shine each showing stepping and handling skills that would have done a centre-pairing proud before the latter touched down. That left Bruff trailing 22-13 at the break, but it was obvious that they weren’t their usual tuned-in, focused selves.

Four minutes into the second half, following a booming defensive kick by full-back Brendan Deady, and superb follow-up work by prop David Horan, Bruff were back within touching distance of Instonians — Shine shimmying over from close range and Brian Cahill converting.

Shortly afterwards, however, Horan saw yellow for hands in the ruck close to the Bruff line and Instonians took quick advantage, with Kenny Morton powering over. McMurray converted and the gap was back to nine 29-20 by the 52nd minute.

From there to the finish Bruff piled on the pressure but to no avail, as a fired-up Instonians defence dealt comfortably with all attacks. When the penalty did come, however, it was too late, a 79th minute score by Cahill, and when this was cancelled out, a couple of minutes into injury-time with a similar effort from McMurray, it was all over.

INSTONIANS: O. McMurray (1T 2P 3C); A. Telford (1T), S. Uren, M. McKeever, J. Devitt; N. Malone (1T), D. O’Hara; C. Schofield, W. Leacock (c), G. Mitchell; K. Morton (1T), M. Wilson; J. Gardiner, A. Glass, D. Lyttle.

Replacements: C. Good (Schofield 63); J. Craig (Gardiner 80+4).

BRUFF: B. Deady; P. O’Brien, J. Malone, G. Leonard, F. Hogan; B. Cahill, E. Cahill; G. Ryan, C. O’Regan (c), D. Horan; D. Murnane, A. Bourke; D. Gardiner, J. Shine, M. O’Rourke.

Replacements: G. Luby (O’Rourke 60); S. Foster (Ryan 69); A. Goodwin (Bourke 73).

Blood sub: J. Carroll (O’Brien 31/34); Foster (Gardiner 54/61).

Referee: A. Rogan (Leinster).