BUCCANEERS 28 GALWEGIANS 14
BUCCANEERS defeated Galwegians 28-14 in a lively Connacht Senior Cup final played at
Buccs had first benefit of the elements of slope and the primarily crossfield breeze, yet it was the holders who went on the offensive from the kick off. Wegians forced the early pace and territory until Callum Boland struck a magnificent penalty from his own 22 to deep into the Tribesmens’ 22. From the lineout, Buccs got their maul going and, with the referee playing advantage, Stephen McVeigh crashed over for a 5th minute try which Boland converted.
Galwegians got a quick opportunity to reply but a penalty kick for the corner did not find touch and soon Buccs were back on the offensive and Boland landed a fine 11th minute penalty after the westerners infringed at a lineout. Wegians response to this score was much more effective, Jerome Harimate and John Cleary countering at pace on the right before the ball was switched acrossfield where Doran McHugh powered over for a 15th minute unconverted try. 10-5 to the challengers.
Just before the end of the opening quarter, Rory O’Connor made a mazy run before off-loading to McVeigh who knocked on in the left corner. However, Wegians respite was brief as the Pirates forced a penalty at the ensuing scrum. Boland tapped into touch and, after clean lineout possession was secured, the Buccs pack again mauled impressively over the holders’ line where Scott Flanagan applied the finishing touch for a try. Boland was unable to convert from wide on the left, his only miss of the final.
The game was ebbing and flowing at a good old rattle and Cleary found a promising touch in the left corner after 25 minutes. Buccs knocked on at the lineout and then had to withstand a series of five-metre scrums before a thumping Billy Henshaw tackle stemmed the tide. Eight minutes later, David Butler turned over possession from his former teammates and sent Eoghan O’Reilly scurrying forward before kicking ahead. The Wegians defence won the chase to avert danger but then, in attempting a swift restart, they knocked on, gifting possession back to Buccs who got the ball away smartly from the resultant scrum. Mark Dolan, Alex Hayman and
Conor Lowndes dropped a neat goal for Galwegians three minutes after the restart and then prop Martin Staunton was sin-binned on 46 minutes as Buccs struggled at a scrum following a very debatable knock-on decision. Lowndes slotted over the penalty and Ross Shaughnessy dropped a tidy 53rd minute goal to reduce the holders’ arrears to 22-14. When James Tormey was yellow-carded two minutes later for obstruction, fears of a Buccs slump from a similar half-time lead in the Ulster Bank League meeting between these rivals were rising.
Butler
This was a splendid all-round team effort by Buccs with the backline looking eager and sharp. Here Boland had a terrific contribution although playing out of position at stand-off. His half-back partner Dolan too had a notable influence and centre
BUCCANEERS:- E.O’Reilly; B.Henshaw, D.Butler, A.Hayman (captain), R.O’Connor; C.Boland, M.Dolan; M.Staunton, S.Flanagan, B.Campbell; J.O’Rourke, J.Tormey; S.McVeigh, P.Gallogly and K.Kiripati. Replacements:- K.Grehan (for Gallogly, temp. 48/55 mins), S.McCormack (for O’Rourke, 65 mins), N.Purcell (for Dolan, inj. 73 mins), K.Grehan (for
GALWEGIANS:- J.Cleary; C.Lowndes, J.Harimate, D.A.Moynihan, S.Madden; R.Shaughnessy, B.Lee; C.Kyne, C.Gavin, D.McHugh; M.Cummins, P.Claffey; P.Hackett, J.Pimm and E.Tarmey. Replacements:- M.Fox (for Kyne, 55 mins), G.Armstrong (for Moynihan, 68 mins), R.Moore (for Hackett, 70 mins), C.Dunne (for Gavin, 70 mins) and M.Connolly.
REFEREE:- Karol Collins (
BUCCANEERS 26 GALWEGIANS 0
BUCCANEERS THIRDS also came out on top against their Galwegians counterparts when winning their Connacht Junior 1B basement battle 26-0 at
Buccs had the better of the first half exchanges, yet managed just a solitary score to lead 5-0 at the break. Ricky Dixon put John Shaughnessy away and the winger powered through his opposite number before side-stepping the full-back for a try.
Buccs finishing was much better in the second half with scrumhalf
U-20s Dixon and McMickan pulled the strings at halfback, Michael O’Daly was solid at fullback and Shaughnessy was pick of the backs. James Foley impressed in the second row, Karl Turley was lively until injured and Martin Lyons was industrious in a hard-working forwards unit.
BUCCANEERS:- M.O’Daly; J.O’Shaughnessy, S.Chitsatso, G.Walsh, B.Gilligan; C.McMickan, R.Dixon; C.Galvin, C.Hennessy, K.Langdon; J.Foley, Adrian Hughes; J.O’Connor, K.Turley and M.Lyons. Replacements used:- G.Costello, L.Didebashvili and T.Ward.
BUCCS HOME TO MALONE IN FESTIVE FLOODLIT FIXTURE
BUCCANEERS commence the second half of the Ulster Bank League fixtures with a home Division 1B game against Malone at
Buccs were disjointed and below par when losing 29-11at
Malone have decent backs in fullback Andy Bryans, fly-half Josh Pentland, wing Michael Barker and scrumhalf Jack McMurtry. The fiercely competitive Connor Joyce is their key forward and he can count on support from John Burns, Cory Tipping and Darryl Maxwell. But without any of their ‘contracted’ front-liners the midlanders put in a commendable shift when capturing the Cup crown. The squad could be bolstered by returns of Diarmuid Higgins, Garreth Halligan, Conor FitzGibbons and Ross Keller, increasing the options of coaching duo Tony Dolan and Paul Flanagan.
A decent crowd is anticipated, particularly as floodlit matches seem to be more appealing. With the onus on Buccs to rebuild momentum at home, a competitive joust should unfold. If the Pirates hit the form they are well capable of, then they can enter the brief Christmas break in positive shape.
XMAS GIFTS AT BUCCS
A selection of replica Buccaneers jerseys as well as T-shirts, training tops and track suit bottoms are available at the club. (Hoodies and hats are sold out). These could make handy Christmas gifts as would Buccaneers ‘nearly bare’ 2015 Calendar which is on sale at many outlets including The Bounty or online from www.buccaneersrfc.com At only €10, it makes a welcome stocking filler as well as benefiting the most worthwhile CONSOLE charity which is getting a share of the profits.