Thomond RFC edge Bruff RFC in entertaining All-Ireland League Limerick derby

THOMOND RFC have defeated Limerick neighbours Bruff on a scoreline of 22-20 to remain top of the Energia AIL Division 2C table. 

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Thomond, who went into Saturday afternoon's clash top of the table ,were made work for their two-point win, on a bitterly cold and wet day at Liam Fitzgerald Park. 

It was the visitors who dominated proceedings early on in the contest, with Thomond unable to get out of their half for much of the opening 20 minutes. 

The pressure from their Bruff visitors was constant and that showed on the scoreboard. John Bateman secured his side's first points of the day via a penalty after five minutes. 

Bruff continued to pile on the pressure after Bateman's effort and the away side touched down for minutes via Wiktor Wilczuk later to lead 10-0 after 12 minutes. Just like with his penalty earlier on in the contest, Bateman made no mistake from the resulting conversion. 

The Bruff fly-half did have the chance to extend his side's lead via a penalty on the half hour mark, but Bateman dragged his effort wide. 

The home side did spring into life just before half time and managed to register their first points of the day. After a lengthy spell of possession, Jamie McGarry touched down for the hosts to give the home support something to cheer about on the stroke of half time.

Evan Cusack wasn't able to convert and Bruff went in 10-5 ahead at the break. 

Cusack redeemed himself early into the second half, slotting over a penalty to leave just two points between the sides and from here, the game exploded into life. 

Thomond took the lead after 50 minutes when Sam Birrane touched down following a fine team move by the hosts and Cusack made no mistake from the conversion, swinging the ball over the bar from an acute angle to give his side a 15-10 lead.

The Bruff response was swift, a Paul Collins penalty leaving just two points between the sides yet again. 

The visitors then re-gained the lead when Fionn Flanghan touched down, Paul Collins converted and the pendulum swung back in favour of the East Limerick side. 

Birrane came to his side's aid yet again, scoring his second try of the day on 64 minutes, and with Cusack converting, it set up a grand stand finish between the two county rivals. 

Thomond were reduced to 14 for the closing stages when referee Kevin Coffey sent Kian McGrath to the sin bin. It would not stop the hosts in claiming a hard fought two point win as they remain top of the pile in Division 2C. 

THOMOND RFC: Cathal Ryan, Sean Rice, Kian McGrath, Shane Kelly, Suliano Mainavolau, Ryain Ahern, Joshua Tunney-Ware, Riann O'Dwyer, Evan Maher (Capt), Evan Cusack, Luke Costelloe, Luke Fitzgerald, Jason Kiely, Sam Birrane, Jamie McGarry. Replacements: Colin Slater, Tom Goggin, Danny O'Flaherty, Kealan McMahon (Vice Capt), Eoghan Sherlock

BRUFF RFC: Darragh O'Brien, Wiktor Wilczuk, Fionn Flanghan, Brendan Gleeson, Pa Maher, Mike Frawley, John Sheehan, Cillian Rea (Capt), Cathal Garvey, John Bateman, Mikey O'Grady, Andrew O'Byrne, Jesse Bowring, Patricio Neheun, Clem McAuliffe. Replacments: Kieran O'Dwyer, Tom O'Dwyer, Aidan Carroll, Mark Kennedy, Paul Collins, Ben Tucker.