Bruff land Munster Junior B title after epic battle with Thurles Sarsfields

BRUFF are Munster Junior B hurling champions following a 0-10 to 1-6 victory over Thurles Sarsfields at Raheenagh this afternoon.

Eight points from the excellent David Browne saw the south Limerick side to the win along with heroic performances from David Mulqueen and captain Cian Madden.

Bruff held a one point advantage at half time but a goal inside the first minute of the second half by former Tipperary start Ger 'Redser' O'Grady dented their hopes.

Thurles led by three points with 11 minutes gone in the second half but three on the bounce from Browne levelled the game for a fourth time.

A nerveless Browne then landed the winning free three minutes from time that clinched the Munster title. They now play the All-Ireland semi final at Raheenagh on Saturday, February 11.

The famed Tipperary side made all the early running with the opening three points - all three coming courtesy of frees by centre forward Cian Treacy.

Madden got Bruff on the board six minutes in with an excellent score from play that was immediately followed up by Browne's first of the day. Tim O'Sullivan then squared the game with their third from play.

Browne's first placed ball of the game put Bruff ahead for the first time but 'Redser' soon had Thurles level once more with a beautiful effort from play.

Browne and Rory Fogarty then swapped scores before the Bruff corner landed a long range free to see his side 0-6 to 0-5 ahead at the break.

Thurles made a fast start to the second half with O'Grady capitalising on a defensive mix up to poke the ball into the net. The same man then nailed another point to see his side clear by a goal.

However, that was to be the last score for the Tipperary side as Bruff slowly got back into the game. Two frees and a superb one from play squared the game for a fourth time with nine minutes remaining.

Both sides had half chances to land the winning score but it was Browne and Bruff that delivered it, a free from 60 metres to crown an excellent performance and Munster glory. 

Scorers - Bruff: David Browne 0-8 (6 frees), Cian Madden and Tim O'Sullivan 0-1 each.

Scorers - Thurles Sarsfields: Ger O'Grady 1-2, Cian Treacy 0-3 (3f), Rory Fogarty 0-1.

BRUFF: Cormac Daly; Niall Brosnan, David Mulqueen, James Callinan; Cian Madden, Tony Burke, Oisin Mulqueen; Tim O'Sullivan, Gregory Dempsey; Gavin Bracken, Diarmuid Dennehy, Patrick Dempsey; John Bulfin, Ian Gardiner, David Browne; 

Subs: Bradley McNamara for Bracken (h-t), Ross O'Brien for Bulfin (52 mins), Mike Weeks for Gardiner (63 mins).

THURLES SARSFIELDS: Myles Fitzgerald; Stephen Mawe, Mike Stakelum, Peter Maher; Jack O'Connell, Paddy Carroll, Conor Stapleton; Alex Moloney, Paddy Stakelum; Rory Fogarty, Cian Treacy, David Keogh; Cathal McElgunn, Ger O'Grady, David Bourke;

Subs: Anthony Guinan for Stapleton (33 mins), John Lawlor for McElgunn (44 mins).

REFEREE: Joe Mullins (Clare).