Connacht U19s 23-21 Irish Exiles U19s
After last week’s defeat to Leinster, a win will feel important to the Connacht U19s after a promising outing. Both sides will be able to take something positive from this while still coming away with areas to work on. Aside from two costly periods of no concentration, Connacht gave as good as they got, and were largely impressive.
One of those periods came in the first ten minutes, after the former Garbally outhalf Simon Keller opened the scoring with a penalty from out in front. Poor midfield defence was largely the cause for two quickfire Exile tries, one coming from a scything attack from a lineout, the other from a fortituious richotet of the ball landing in the Exile midfielders hands for an easy run in to the line.
Credit to Connacht though, as they never let their heads drop. They looked threatening with ball in hand, and seemed to draw in the Exile defense. This lead to their response after fifteen minutes, with lovely hands from loosehead prop Niall Farrelly setting winger Ruairi Greene down the flank to score in the corner. Keller was unlucky with the conversion from wide-out.
Connacht U19s
1. Niall Farrelly Buccanneers
2. Joe Bennett Sligo
3. Conor Kenny Buccaneers
4. Peter Claffey Ballinasloe
5. Conall O’Brien Buccaneers
6. Matthew Cosgrove (c) Sligo
7. Michael O’Connell Corinthians
8. James Foley Buccaneers
9. Tom McHale Westport
10. Simon Keller Ballinasloe
11. Jack Keegan Sligo
12. Jamie McAleese Buccaneers
13. Andrew Lynch Sligo
14. Ruairi Greene Corinthians
15. Kevin Burke Buccaneers
Replacements:
16. Conal Slater Buccaneers
17. Joseph Ugbo Galwegians
18. Matt Gavin Buccaneers
19. Daniel Trayers Corinthians
20. Patrick Conway Buccaneers
21. Paddy Griffin Corinthians
22. Patrick Daly Ballinrobe
23. Ronan O’Brien Sligo
24. Jerome Scully Corinthians
25. Peter Flannery Ballinasloe
26. Stephen Kerins Sligo
27. Charlie McMickin Buccaneers
28. Richard Dromgoole-Maguire Buccaneers