BUCCANEERS 34
BUCCANEERS U-20s put in a wonderfully sustained effort to overcome Shannon 34-21 in a lively South-West Conference League Division One contest at Dubarry Park, Athlone, on Saturday. This was an invigorating performance by the young Pirates who were short some key players notably front rowers Jacob Walshe (injured) and Saba Meunargia (Connacht A duty) as well as Harry Hughes (Caulry GAA) and Rory Moloney (injured). Nevertheless, Buccs rose to the challenge as their spirited and enterprising endeavour was rewarded with a bonus point victory.
The
The homesters began to concede penalties, some of them needless, and McKenna reduced the arrears to the minimum with a 34th minute placekick. Just before the interval, McCormack did well to field a Shannon clearance and he off-loaded to O’Reilly and the pocket-sized fullback took off from halfway like a scalded cat to outstrip the
Within three minutes of the restart,
But Buccs showed their battling qualities now and they turned over possession from the restart, and Cian Romaine thundered through three attempted tackles for a 63rd minute unconverted bonus point try that reignited the midlanders. With Buccs back to full complement, they regained their momentum but Carty missed a 68th minute penalty. Nevertheless, Buccaneers continued to flood forward and were rewarded for smart thinking and quick support play two minutes from time. They caught
This was a tremendous all-round effort by Buccs. Their forwards squared up to a more physical unit and the much-changed front row trio acquitted themselves with distinction. Locks Romaine and Josh O’Rourke gave as good as they got and an energetic back row unit, in which McCormack was especially prominent, made life constantly difficult for
BUCCANEERS:- E.O’Reilly; B.Goode, S.Doyle, S.Dempsey, C.Langan; B.Carty (captain), R.Ashe; K.Williams, C.Morrissey, C.McGrath; J.O’Rourke, C.Romaine; E.Galvin, R.Enraght-Moony and S.McCormack. Replacements used:- R.Dixon (for Ashe, 27 mins), R.Ashe (for Goode, 57 mins) and T.Hynes.
SHANNON:- C.O’Donnell; R.Joyce, C.Leahy, R.Hunt, R.Whyte; R.McKenna, R.Tsang; S.McGee, L.Cronin, T.Cusack; F.Bradshaw-Ryan, P.Kearns; L.Nicholas, C.Power and A.Butler. Replacements used:- E.Kelly (for O’Donnell, inj.), and P.Obande.
BUCCANEERS 10 CREGGS 31
BUCCANEERS SECONDS came a cropper at home to Creggs with the visitors, bottom of the table prior to this fixture, winning this Connacht Junior 1B game on a 31-10 margin. Buccs can only blame themselves for this setback with too many missed tackles contributing to the visitors’ scoreline in this Saturday night outing at
Buccs fielded a decent squad but failed to jell overall despite a fine effort by the pack, who fared well in the lineouts and scrums. The Pirates did not really click, yet were very much in the game at half-time despite trailing 10-17. Ruairi Byrne and Rory Grenham were their try-scorers but they did not add to their tally after the interval whilst leaking further scores, some of the very soft variety. They also failed to find touch at crucial stages, encouraging a Creggs outfit who were fired up and focussed for this contest.
Ruairi Byrne was best of a hard-working Buccs pack whose possession should have been better capitalised on but the backline underperformed. Here Glen Costello was pick of the bunch, albeit his contribution was blotted by a silly yellow card. There is decent potential in the squad but a better collective effort and enterprise is needed.
BUCCANEERS:- G.Costello; N.Purcell, D.Byrne, S.Flynn, G.Fallon; D.Fagan, D.Griffiths (captain); L.Doran, R.Grenham, T.Thompson; R.Byrne, S.Byrne; N.Flynn, D.Coffey and A.Hughes. Replacements:- K.O’Shea, L.Walsh, K.Grehan, J.Lopez and N.Hyland.
BALLINASLOE 3 BUCCANEERS 19
BUCCANEERS THIRDS, even at this early stage, look like being key contenders again in the
This was a solid, all-round effort by Buccs thriving on the dominance of a superior forwards unit where the front row trio of Adam Daly, Keith Grehan and Paata Rikadze laid down a match-winning platform and Conor Galvin directed the back five. Juan Lopez looks an exciting prospect on the wing while outhalf Costello, clearly capable of playing at a higher level, was the standout performer on view. He kicked four penalties in addition to converting Brian Walsh’s try, a finely created score when Buccs moved the ball wide.
BUCCANEERS:- M.Duddy; C.Claffey, J.Shaughnessy, B.Walsh, J.Lopez; D.Costello (captain), N.Hyland; A.Daly, K.Grehan, P.Rikadze; R.Reid, N.Carr; M.Lyons, L.Walsh and C.Galvin. Replacements:- L.Didebashvili, R.Mahon, K.Langdon and C.Milling.
GIRLS BLITZ
BUCCANEERS GIRLS U-15 team fielded for their first ever time last Saturday when they participated in the Connacht Underage Girls Blitz, hosted at
Buccaneers made a victorious start, defeating Dingle 25-0. They lost narrowly to Creggs 10-5 in their second outing but overcame Ballina 10-5 in their final match. The team put in a great effort and showed wonderful enthusiasm. Their endeavours augur well for a great first season. Their coaches and mentors were highly impressed with the girls’ handling skills and evasive running for such an inexperienced young side, which is a credit to Tag Rugby currently being played in some schools. Special thanks goes to Antoinette Kemmy, Aoife Corry, Christine Mannion and Annmarie Sleator for their help on the day at this blitz.
FIXTURES
BUCCANEERS U-20s make the first of four trips to
BUCCANEERS WOMEN, following a chastening trip to Railway Union, have had a chance to regroup in the interim for the visit of Navan to
BUCCANEERS SECONDS travel to the Castle Grounds to tackle their Monivea counterparts in the Connacht Junior 1B League on Sunday, kick off 2.30 p.m. It is never easy in Monivea’s stronghold but this Buccs squad has more potential than they have collectively displayed to date. With better organisation and improved guile, they could get back to winning ways.
“YOUR CLUB, YOUR COUNTRY”
Tickets are now on sale for the IRFU-sponsored “Your Club, Your Country” Grand Draw. An enticing array of primarily rugby-orientated prizes are on offer at just €10 per ticket. The star prize is a trip for two to
CONDOLENCES
Deepest sympathy is extended to Declan Byrne on the death of his grandmother Mary (mother of Liam, FAS).
TABLE QUIZ
A TABLE QUIZ in aid of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul takes place in The Bounty on this Thursday night, October 17th at 8.30 p.m. All support is sought for this most worthy of causes.