BUCCANEERS 25 SHANNON 7
A late scoring blitz by Buccaneers earned them a bonus point 25-7 victory over Shannon in their Ulster Bank League Division 1B game at Dubarry Park, Athlone. The game between two youthful sides was still in the balance entering the final quarter with the Pirates deservedly 10-0 ahead before the final scoring salvo shell-shocked the visitors.
Buccs made five changes in personnel for this tie as well as some positional switches. Alex Hayman, Mark Dolan and Billy Henshaw returned to the backline with young guns Saba Meunargia and Stephen McVeigh starting in the pack. The midlanders had the benefit of the cool breeze in the opening half on a sunny afternoon but they found it difficult to break through as they made too many unforced errors and had a rising penalty count against them in the early exchanges.
Alan Gaughan’s 8th minute penalty from the left dipped under the crossbar after a Shane Layden snipe while over-elaboration spoiled another opportunity two minutes later. A fine Shannon maul then showed the potential of the visitors before the lively Layden made a good break and kick ahead that yielded a lineout on the right just five metres from the Shannon line. However, Buccs knocked on in this promising position. Although Buccs dominated territory and had majority possession mainly due to the industry of Danny Qualter in a hard-working pack, they lacked a clinical edge for large swathes of this contest.
However, a series of close-in forays led by Kolo Kiripati was finished off by McVeigh for a 24th minute try converted excellently by Callum Boland who added a penalty ten minutes later following further home pressure interspersed with a teasing grubber kick at the other end that was comfortably dealt with by Layden. Buccs led 10-0 at half-time, an advantage that looked vulnerable in the prevailing conditions.
Rain and clouds arrived shortly before the interval, necessitating floodlights for the restart. Shannon dominated following the change of ends but Ronan McKenna missed a 45th minute penalty. The sun returned as the on-field exchanges also brightened up with Mata Fifita making a splendid charge up the right. Buccs were more business-like now and discipline was also much improved. Their defensive work was committed and sustained, particularly around the hour mark when they held out Shannon on a number of five-metre scrums in what was arguably the decisive phase of the match. Eoghan O’Reilly’s telling tackle put David O’Donovan into touch virtually at the right corner flag as the Athlone side held their line intact.
Buccaneers finally hit the form they are capable of in the final quarter hour with fast and slick handling initiated by Kiripati and carried on by Dolan, David Butler and Layden being finished off wide on the right by Billy Henshaw for an excellent 70th minute try. Boland’s conversion was just short and, when Shane Mullally wrong-footed his opposite number six minutes later to curve in for a neatly-taken Shannon try converted by McKenna to make it 15-7, the possibility of a grandstand finish was set up.
However, Buccs riposte was instant with smart hands by O’Reilly and Rory Moloney in a swift counter attack proving too much for the Limerick side as the impressive Layden burst through on the left for an unconverted try. The Pirates again displayed a cutting edge with a sweeping move, angling left to right for a try scored in the corner by Fifita to complete Buccaneers bonus point 25-7 victory.
Thus Buccs made it four victories in a row over Shannon in what was the first time they secured back to back home wins in the league this season. It took a while for their execution to match their effort but the final flurry was truly exhilarating. The Pirates will now endeavour to continue their winning ways at home whilst maintaining their impressive away form. Qualter produced his best performance for some time and was a worthy winner of the AUDI ATHLONE Man of the Match accolade. Layden was a strong contender for this honour and he too is rediscovering the spark of a couple of seasons ago, although he can be even more effective by sometimes not taking on too much. Boland also played well as did Fifita and Moloney. Richie Mullane, Hugh Kelleher and Conor Glynn battled hardest for Shannon.
BUCCANEERS:- S.Layden; B.Henshaw, A.Gaughan, A.Hayman (captain), E.O’Reilly; C.Boland, M.Dolan; M.Staunton, S.Delahunt, S.Meunargia; K.Kiripati, D.Qualter; M.Fifita, R.Moloney and S.McVeigh. Replacements:- G.Halligan (for Delahunt, h/t), S.Delahunt (for Halligan, inj. 45 mins), J.Walshe (for Meunargia, 50 mins), L.Satchwell (for McVeigh, 54 mins), D.Butler (for Hayman, 66 mins) and R.O’Connor (for Henshaw, 76 mins).
SHANNON:- S.Fitzgerald; R.Mullane, S.Mullally, R.Deegan, D.O’Donovan (captain); R.McKenna, D.Evans; C.Glynn, S.Malone, J.Cronin; S.McCarthy, F.Bradshaw-Ryan; H.Kelleher, A.Butler and L.Nicholas. Replacements:- G.O’Shea (for Deegan, inj. 14 mins), D.O’Connell (for J.Cronin, 50 mins), L.Cronin (for Malone, 54 mins), P.Kearns (for Kelleher, 59 mins), G.Ryan (for Evans, 71 mins) and H.Kelleher (for Kearns, 78 mins).
Referee:- Kieran Barry (IRFU).
BUCCANEERS 54 BALLINROBE 12
BUCCANEERS SECONDS were in rampant mood as they edged ever nearer a Connacht Junior 1B League title when they outscored Ballinrobe 54-12 at cold and windy Dubarry Park on Sunday. After slipping up in their last outing, Buccs were intent from start to finish to keep destiny in their own hands as they scored eight tries against very willing but, on this occasion, outclassed opposition.
Buccs had the noticeable breeze to their backs for the opening half and they were purposeful in their approach from the beginning. Rory O’Connor opened the scoring with a smartly-taken try and Rory Grenham dotted down the second. Ronan Farrell showed his potential when finishing off for a pushover try near the posts. David Fagan was in near-flawless place-kicking mood, his conversions giving Buccs a 21-0 lead. Ballinrobe, while mainly on the back foot, showed that they had a scoring threat if given the chance and, from deep in his own half, Peter Cosgrove grabbed a splendid solo try which Oisin Gill converted. However, Buccs had the bonus point in the bag by half-time when Sean Byrne powered over. Fagan’s conversion gave the Athlone side a healthy 28-7 lead at the break.
Two minutes into the second half, a neat sidestep by Gill earned him a try for Ballinrobe but he surprisingly missed the straight-forward conversion. This stimulated a positive response by Buccs and growing pressure was eventually finished off when Paul Gallogly took an unstoppable line for a terrific try. Fagan demonstrated that he could notch a try as well as maintaining his excellent conversion ratio to make it 42-12.
O’Connor added his second try following another flowing move and debutant Ryan O’Meara helped himself to a touchdown. Fagan converted seven of the eight tries to complete the impressive 54-12 scoreline against gallant but outgunned Robe. This was a magnificent all-round performance by Buccs with Fagan, O’Connor and Nick Purcell pick of the backs while Gallogly, Brian Campbell and Byrne to the fore in the pack.
BUCCANEERS:- R.O’Connor; B.Walsh, C.FitzGibbon, S.Flynn, D.Griffiths; D.Fagan, N.Purcell; K.Grehan, R.Grenham, B.Campbell; R.Byrne, S.Byrne (captain); R.Farrell, J.O’Donoghue and P.Gallogly. Replacements:- G.Fallon (for S.Flynn, inj.), D.Lennon (for Campbell), N.Flynn (for Farrell), J.O’Rourke (for R.Byrne) and R.O’Meara (for Grehan).
BALLINROBE:- P.Cosgrove (captain); J.Costello, M.Walsh, R.Holian, N.Winters; O.Gill, K.McHugh; J.McTigue, C.McHugh, K.Staunton; P.Mylette, A.Coleman; D.Madden, M.Joyce and C.Varley. Replacements:- J.McGrath, D.Brennan, S.Kelly and L.Malone (all used).
DUNMORE 22 BUCCANEERS 13
BUCCANEERS THIRDS narrowly missed out on a play-off berth when they went down to Dunmore 22-13 in their final Connacht Junior 1C League match at the Co. Galway club’s grounds. Despite missing quite a number of regulars, Buccs put in a very spirited effort that with a little luck could have earned them the reward they sought.
They began promisingly but conceded some silly penalties, enabling Dunmore to settle and the homesters opened the scoring with a penalty and then added a converted try. However, some fine interplay between backs and forwards was capitalised on by John Shaughnessy for a Buccs try. The Pirates then enjoyed a decent spell but Dunmore punished a mistake to get their second try. Buccs replied with a Glen Costello penalty to leave them trailing 15-8 at half-time.
The Dunmore pack got on top in the second half and they stretched their advantage with a converted try. Buccs responded and Darragh Lennon put in a typical burst to secure a try. Each side then had a player sin-binned and the midlanders finished the game strongly but just could not add to their tally. Lennon carried well throughout, Martin Lyons was busy and Kevin Langdon very good defending in the Buccs pack. Ger Walsh and Michael O’Daly were best of the backs with sub Bobby Pears also making an impact.
BUCCANEERS:- M.O’Daly; J.Shaughnessy, S.Chiatsu, G.Walsh, L.Didebashvili; G.Costello, G.Fallon; P.Rikadze, C.Galvin, L.Doran; G.Glynn, K.Langdon; M.Lyons, M.Hyland and D.Lennon. Replacements used:- B.Pears and T.Couper.
KEY FIXTURES FOR SECONDS AND U-20s
BUCCANEERS SECONDS and U-20s teams have key fixtures this weekend. The Seconds can clinch a rare Connacht League title when they travel to Tuam for their penultimate 1B fixture on Sunday while the U-20s face a tricky assignment away to Bruff in the Donal Walsh Cup on Saturday. Both games have 2.30 p.m. kick-off.
Buccs Seconds top their division, eight points ahead of Castlebar who they play away in their final match, so the Athlone side will be eager and focussed to clinch the deal at Tuam, who lie in mid-table. On form, Buccs look much too strong for the Co. Galway club and should be well capable of securing the necessary win. Coach Owen O’Reilly will surely have Buccs clued in and disciplined for this challenge. In Paul Gallogly, Josh O’Rourke, the Byrne brothers and Brian Campbell, Buccs have forwards capable of setting the tone and tempo. In the backline, David Fagan, Rory O’Connor and Conor FitzGibbon can profit from decent possession. Buccs should come out on top but let’s see big support in Tuam for the Pirates.
Meanwhile, Buccs U-20s scheduled fixture at home to Garryowen last Saturday was postponed as the Munster club was affected by a bout of mumps. They now travel to Bruff who can always be counted on to be doughty opponents at Kilballyowen Park. The Limerick side lies just one place and two points behind Buccs in this battle of fourth v fifth. It could be a dogged encounter and the Pirates will need to roll up their collective sleeves. The influence of Evan Galvin, Cillian Walsh, Conor McGrath and James Foley will be crucial but, if the midlanders forwards can hold their own, backs like Harry Hughes, Sean Doyle, Graham Fagan and Ricky Dixon have the wherewithal to fashion and take scores. If decision-making and precision is what it needs to be, Buccs can come out on top but they will be prudent to maintain concentration and workrate to the very end.
IRELAND U-20s play France in Dubarry Park
IRELAND U-20s tackle champions France in the RBS Junior Six Nations Championship at Dubarry Park, Athlone, on Friday, February 13th. Kick off is 7 p.m. Tickets are now on sale at the club or can be purchased in The Bounty. Early purchase of Stand tickets is strongly advised for this ELECTRIC IRELAND sponsored match. There will be a pre-match function for this fixture, costing €50 per person. For this you can enjoy a 3-course meal with wine in The Bounty and have a reserved seat in the stand. Large or small groups catered for. Bookings and enquiries to our Administrator Geraldine at 0861732711 or email to rugby@dubarrypark.com
CONDOLENCES
Deepest sympathy is extended to Shane O’Connor and family on the death of his mother Mary.