Deady wounds Bohs as Bruff take huge step towards safety

A splendidly taken try by full-back Brendan Deady made all the difference for Bruff at Thomond Park last night.

The clash of UL Bohemian, a side still entertaining hopes of getting into the promotion chase, and Bruff, desperate to escape the relegation zone, was always going to provide a hotly contested Ulster Bank Division One B encounter.

And that’s just how it turned out as both sides did their utmost to make light of the drizzling rain and slippery underfoot conditions to come up with a fine game in front of a decent crowd.

The opening stages of the game were dominated by the rival half-backs. Bruff number 10 Brian Cahill slotted a penalty in the first minute but Bohs were immediately back on terms with another successful shot at goal by Ed Torrie. And it was Torrie who took advantage of hesitation by Cahill in the 16th minute as he charged down an attempted clearance and scored between the posts, duly tapping over the conversion.

It was the kind of setback that a side struggling for confidence could have done without. Bruff, of course, have never been short of spirit and determination and as always forwards such as John Shine, Mike Carroll and Cathal O’Regan were there to shore things up.

They stuck resolutely to their guns and deservedly drew level on 28 minutes. A fine piece of play forced a scrum on the Bohs line and from the set-piece, second-row Alan Bourke forced his way over for a try that Cahill converted.

Another 40 minutes elapsed before Bruff regained the lead through a Cahill penalty, after Conor Kindregan was pinged for a high tackle by Ulster referee Jonathan Peak. Inspired by this breakthrough, Bruff came again and worked their way over for the best try of the game.

Pushing Bohs back at a scrum close to their own line, Bruff delivered quick ball for full-back Brendan Deady to cut through and touch down. Cahill added the extras.

A late penalty by Torrie narrowed the gap to four points and secured Bohs a bonus point but that will probably prove too little too late in their bid for promotion.

Bruff returned home relieved at having eased their difficulties at the other end of the table and much encouraged by one of their best performances of the season.

UL BOHEMIAN: D Moroney; R White, M McPhail, N Kenneally, F Ahern; E Torrie, D Harris; D Kilcoyne, E Rossiter, G Walsh, E Kelly, D Frawley, B Walsh, G Kindregan, S Rennison. Replacements: B Martin for Kenneally 35; K McManus for Kelly 41; D Farrell for Harris 75.

BRUFF: B Deady; P O’Brien, A Cashman, G Leonard, T O’Callaghan; B Cahill, E Maher; S Foster, C O’Regan, C O’Sullivan, B Morrissey, A Bourke, M Carroll, J Shine, P Cleary.

Replacements: G Collins for O’ Sullivan 56; Paudge Cleary for Paddy Cleary 60; J Carroll for B Carroll 65.

Referee: J Peak (IRFU).