BUCCANEERS SECONDS 26 CONNEMARA 18
BUCCANEERS SECONDS and Connemara served up a compelling Connacht Junior 1A League encounter at Dubarry Park on Sunday with the home side coming out on top 26-18 after a well-contested duel played in perfect conditions on the Athlone club’s main pitch. Both teams gave it their all in this basement battle and the deserved victory by the Pirates ensures they avoid automatic relegation whilst the Blacks cannot now escape the drop.
Both teams were missing some regulars for this ‘must win’ contest. The home mentors were innovative in replacing the vacationing Byrne brothers in the Buccs pack with Niall Flynn (at lock!) and Jimmy O’Connell (blindside flanker). Although both played out of position, they stepped up to the challenge. Two further changes were made to the backline with the vastly experienced Darin Classen coming in at fullback and Eoghan O’Reilly adding pace on the left flank.
Buccaneers made the perfect start with O’Connell making early yardage to earn a penalty that was punted to touch on the left. From the lineout, the homesters surged forward and Sean Flynn burst through in typical fashion for a 4th minute try at the posts which Cameron Hertz converted. Connemara made a quick riposte with David McDonagh striding in for a try within three minutes and Ian Heanue’s conversion made it 7-7 after a mere seven minutes.
The midlanders replied almost as swiftly and Paul Gallogly was held up on the visitors line but, from the resulting five-metre scrum, O’Reilly sped in at pace to notch a 14th minute try which Hertz converted. Ten minutes later, the young South African was unlucky when his 38 metre penalty rebounded off an upright and Connemara were fortunate to escape unscathed as they dallied in dotting down the ball. The chasing O’Reilly almost got to the ball before a hesitant Blacks defender and then the home wing was just denied shortly afterwards by his opposite number when he followed up an Alex Hayman grubber kick.
On the latter occasion, the referee was playing advantage and Buccs kicked the penalty to touch on the right. From the lineout the homesters went through the phases with James Tormey and Conor Morrissey both having cuts at the westerners’ defence before Hertz powered through for an unconverted 30th minute try on the left. Connemara responded with a 32nd minute Ian Heanue penalty to leave the half-time score 19-10 in favour of the hosts.
Exchanges were evenly contested on the change of ends and fullback Heanue reduced the visitors’ arrears with a 51st minute penalty. But Buccs struck back with a try within five minutes, albeit they enjoyed a bit of good fortune when a Connemara back knocked on straight in front of his posts. From the resultant scrum, Gallogly made the initial progress before the ball was moved to the left where Morrissey did very well to stretch through a number of tacklers to ground the ball for a bonus point try which Hertz converted. This made it a double scores advantage 26-13 for the Pirates and they could now utilise their bench.
A Heanue penalty on the hour mark tailed wide while, five minutes later, his brother Derek did very well to hold up Classen on the Connemara line following a sweeping home counter attack. As befits a club with a proud tradition, the Blacks battled to the bitter end and were rewarded for good pressure with a 71st minute Niall Staunton try to the right of the uprights. Heanue’s conversion was never on target and Connemara’s hopes vanished some minutes later when impetuosity by a front-rower conceded a relieving penalty kick that enabled Buccaneers to play out the closing stages in some comfort.
BUCCANEERS:- D.Classen; B.Walsh, C.Hertz, S.Flynn, E.O’Reilly; A.Hayman, G.Fallon; C.Walsh, R.Grenham, K.Grehan; J.Tormey (captain), N.Flynn; J.O’Connell, C.Morrissey and P.Gallogly. Replacements:- H.Hughes (for Walsh, 60 mins), D.Griffiths (for S.Flynn, 60 mins), N.Purcell (for Fallon, 66 mins) and G.O’Loughlin (for N.Flynn, 66 mins).
CONNEMARA:- I.Heanue; T.Mullin, E.Bourke, D.McDonagh (captain), P.O’Toole; F.O’Rourke, M.O’Toole; E.Conroy, A.Pryce, C.Keane; N.Staunton, K.Keogh; D.Clancy, D.Heanue and C.King. Replacements:- C.Reilly (for Keane, 66 mins) and C.Casey.
Referee:- Jason Cairns (Connacht).
U-20s commence Cup campaign
BUCCANEERS commence their Leinster U-20 Purcell Cup campaign with a derby tie against another Connacht side NUIG/Corinthians at Dubarry Park, Athlone, on Sunday. At time of writing kick off is scheduled for 3 p.m. Both clubs finished bottom of their respective Leinster League divisions and will be hoping for better luck in the Cup. Buccs have a very young squad, the majority of whom will be eligible for U-20 again next season. Although enduring a torrid league campaign, it is to the eternal credit of these young players that most of them took the knocks on their collective chin and kept coming back for more on a very steep learning curve.
With home advantage, they will be hopeful of a decent turnout of supporters to get behind them. Cilliene Walsh, Conor Morrissey, James Foley, Niall Farrelly, Ross Flanagan, Ryan O’Meara and Ili Tuimaugo are richly promising forwards while backs Thomas Finucane, Cameron Hertz, Chris Moloney and Dean McMahon have tons of ability and potential. Ireland U-20 prop Conor Kenny would be a massive addition to the side if available. Buccs have some injury worries but, if they can muster a near full-strength crew, then they can make home advantage pay, although they can be sure that the Galway sides will battle to the very end.
PRE-MATCH FOR OLD WESLEY GAME
BUCCANEERS final Ulster Bank League home fixture is fast approaching and it is the closest thing that the club has to a ‘derby’ match when Old Wesley roll into town on April 2nd for a Division 1B showdown. Just one solitary point separates the teams as they chase the final Top Four play-off berth. With no less than five recent Buccs players (Adam Kennedy, Billy Henshaw, Conor FitzGibbon, David Henshaw and Paul Harte) in the Old Wesley camp, there is added spice to this ‘winner takes all’ clash. The club is holding a pre-match function for the occasion at which you can enjoy a 3-course lunch with wine, free admission to the game and a complimentary matchday programme for just €30 per person. Group or individual bookings can be catered for. Contact Geraldine at 0861732711 or Pat Hynes 0876883833 to book.
EASTER RUGBY CAMP
BUCCANEERS RFC is holding a 3-day EASTER RUGBY CAMP in Dubarry Park, Athlone, from Wednesday, March 30th to Friday, April 1st. Qualified coaches will oversee this camp from 9.30 a.m. to 2.30 p.m. daily. It will cater for Boys and Girls from Minis up to U-13s. Registration Fee is only €40. Contact our Administrator Geraldine at 0861732711 to book.
KEVIN MORAN
There was shock and great sadness in the club when the news filtered through of the death in a motoring accident in Australia of Kevin Moran, who was a member of Buccaneers Senior squad in 2007 (when the club won the Division 2 title) and 2008. The Co. Mayo native, who was in his early thirties, first played rugby with Westport and progressed as a prop to the Connacht Development squad before emigrating to Australia. Deepest sympathy is extended to his family on their massive untimely loss. Ar dheis De a anam.
CLUB PERSON OF THE YEAR NOMINATIONS
Nominations are invited for Buccaneers Club Person of the Year award. Nominations can be made by any club member or section of the club and should be forwarded to our busy Administrator for consideration by the club’s Executive Committee. The winner will be presented with the Michael Hanley Memorial Perpetual Cup at this year’s end of season Gala Ball.
BAG PACKING ON SATURDAY
Bag-Packing takes place in Croughan’s Supervalu Store, Ballymahon Road, on this Saturday, March 19th. Volunteers from Youths and Minis are sought to help out on the day. Parents will be most welcome to assist. The more volunteers we have, the shorter the stint you will have to do. All willing volunteers should contact Paddy Kenny, Brian Tallon or our Administrator Geraldine as early as possible so that a Rota can be organised in good time.
CONGRATS!
Congratulations to FINLAY BEALHAM on becoming the latest Buccaneers player to be capped by Ireland. The Australian born front rower made his debut in last week’s comfortable win over Italy in which ROBBIE HENSHAW was again hugely impressive. Well done, guys!