ENNIS RFC 10
BRUFF 14
ENNIS RFC’s under 16s came up just short in their North Munster League semi-final against a physical Bruff outfit, writes Ivan Smyth.
The Clare side enjoyed home advantage but it was they who were forced to absorb some early pressure as the Limerick lads laid siege to their 22.
However, Ennis kept their discipline and managed to wrestle momentum before enjoying a dominant period of their own.
An Odhran Flynn penalty helped them gain the lead. The game was very physical with both of these sides aware of the prize on offer, a place in the final against Shannon.
Neither side were able to trouble the scoreboard again as Ennis led 3-0 at half time. Both of these outfits had shown before this game that they were capable of troubling the opposition tryline.
Ennis beat Newcastle West 30-5 in their quarter final while Bruff secured a 31-17 win against Garryowen.
The Limerick side crossed the whitewash inside the first five minutes of the second half. Ennis tried to find a response as they edged both territory and possession but they found Bruff a difficult side to break down. Bruff managed to notch their second try to give themselves a 14-3 lead.
Ennis were running out of time but after reaching their opponent’s 22, they managed to cross the tryline.
The Sweeney cousins, Michael and John, were both stopped short of the line before prop Nicolas Roos crashed over. Odhran Flynn added the conversion to cut the deficit to four points.
The home side tried to find a match winning try but they were unable to carve out another chance as they fell to a four point defeat.
Michael and John Sweeney, Nicolas Roos, Sean Queally, David Moses and substitute Jacob Casson-Rennie all performed well for Ennis. They must now reset and prepare for their Pan Munster clash against Rugbaí Chorca Dhuibhne on January 8.
The club wishes to thank Cahir and Co. Solicitors for sponsoring hoodies and jerseys for the team.
Ennis RFC: Andrew Cahir-Whelan, Luke Kennedy, Aaron Malone, Michael Sweeney, David Moses, Odhran Flynn, Sean Queally, Daniil Kolesnikov, Conall O’Donovan, Nicolas Roos, Adrian Moloney, Daniel Humphries, John Sweeney, Matthew Jordan-Allen, Caoimhin Enright. Replacements: Owen Gorman, Darren Halpin, Ben Smith, Kaden Deegan-Herlihy, Oisin O’Donoghue, Jacob Casson-Rennie, Jack Dillon, Diarmuid Boyle.