Bruff suffer fourth loss on the trot

Bruff 17 Lansdowne 26

Former underage internationals Shane Gahan and John Cooney helped themselves to two tries each as Lansdowne proved far too strong for Bruff at Kilballyowen Park.

The Bateman All-Ireland Cup finalists suffered their fourth straight league defeat and are now two points adrift at the bottom of the Division 1B table.

Paul O'Brien landed a second minute penalty for Bruff but they fell behind nine minutes later when Gahan grabbed his first try, which the division's top scorer Eoghan Hickey converted.

Hickey, who came into this game with 155 points, also added the extras to a 28th minute effort from scrum half Cooney.

Bruff kept somewhat in touch with an Alan Bourke try five minutes before half-time. However, within two minutes, Gahan had replied for Lansdowne who led 21-10 at the interval.

Cooney cut through for his second and Lansdowne’s fourth try on the hour mark, with today’s result moving the headquarters club into second place and putting them one game away from promotion.

O’Brien salvaged some pride for Bruff with a converted try in the last minute, but the Limerick outfit are up against it as they close out their league campaign at home to table toppers Clontarf next Saturday.

Scorers: Bruff: Tries: Alan Bourke, Paul O’Brien; Cons: Paul O’Brien 2; Pen: Paul O’Brien

Lansdowne: Tries: Shane Gahan 2, John Cooney 2; Cons: Eoghan Hickey 3