Bruising division debut for Bruff

Clontarf 26 Bruff 11

Division 1B newcomers Bruff suffered a 26-11 defeat at the hands of Clontarf at a rain-soaked Castle Avenue this afternoon.

Ireland Under-20 international Noel Reid kicked the hosts into an early 6-0 lead, splitting the posts after 3 and 6 minutes.

Summer signing Sam Cronin, the ex-Dolphin scrum half, charged down a kick and raced through for 'Tarf's opening try.

Reid then kicked his third penalty, before Bruff centre Brian Cahill replied through the boot to leave the scoreline at 14-6 for the break.

Both sides had a player sin-binned in the opening half. Clontarf's Ciaran Kavanagh was sin-binned for a tackle offence, and Bruff scrum half Eoghan Maher saw yellow for retaliation.

With another former Dolphin player, Barry O'Mahony, having an excellent debut for the north Dubliners, Clontarf scored two more tries in the second half through Michael Keating and former Cork Con captain Evan Ryan.

Keating combined well with full-back Daragh O'Shea as they victors launched a fluid back-line move off quick lineout ball.

Hooker and captain Cathal O'Regan took Bruff into double figures with a 58th minute try from a well-executed lineout drive. but the Limerick men were well-beaten on the day.

Scorers: Clontarf: Tries: Sam Cronin, Michael Keating, Evan Ryan; Con: Noel Reid; Pens: Noel Reid 3

Bruff: Try: Cathal O’Regan; Pens: Brian Cahill 2