BUCCANEERS SECONDS got swift revenge for last week’s league home defeat by N.U.I.Galway when they defeated the Students 7-5 in dramatic fashion at fog-veiled Dangan, Galway, on Sunday. This Connacht Junior Cup contest was a typically dogged affair between two much-changed line-ups. But this time Buccs generally forced the pace with College defending excellently and scores were at a premium.
NUIG grabbed the lead in the final move of the opening half when Matthew Davey powered over but John Kennedy was unable to add the conversion. On the change of ends, a hard-grafting Pirates crew continued to take the game to the westerners with James O’Connell (in the centre on this occasion), Trevor Thompson and Ruairi Byrne leading by example. Byrne had a top game and he along with Ger Fallon and Rory Grenham are to be lauded for their efforts having all played in Cork the previous afternoon.
It looked like the hard work by the overall squad would come to nought until the final move of this finely balanced duel when one last drive at the home line was finished off by Keith Grehan with Fallon landing the conversion to seal a memorable late, late victory. Buccs are rewarded with a home tie against Galwegians next Sunday.
NUIG:- James Kennedy; F.Cavati, M.Brady, J.Whooley, D.Layden; John Kennedy, D.Small; P.Magliocco, K.Harty, S.Faulkner; J.Dunne, T.Feegan; M.Davey (captain), A.Doyle and R.Stanley. Replacements:- D.Donohoe, C.Hennessy, S.O’Gorman, D.Keane and E.McGloin.
BUCCANEERS:- H.Hughes; B.Walsh, D.Griffiths, J.O’Connell, C.Forde; G.Fallon, N.Purcell; K.Grehan, R.Grenham, T.Thompson; T.Couper, R.Byrne; N.Flynn, M.Lyons and S.Byrne. Replacements:- C.Conroy and G.Halligan.
Buccaneers Ladies Share Spoils with Castlebar
BUCCANEERS 24 CASTLEBAR 24
BUCCANEERS WOMENS team put in a gritty and sustained effort to share the spoils 24-24 in their Connacht Womens League match at cold but dry Dubarry Park on Sunday. Buccs scored four tries in this exciting clash with Anna McGann opening their scoring and skipper Niamh Gough adding the second. Neither were converted while Castlebar then seemed to be in control when they moved 24-10 ahead with only twelve minutes remaining. However, the Buccs ladies showed wonderful determination and commitment to score two tries in those pulsating late minutes. Hazel Kilduff narrowed the arrears with a try which she also converted before flyer McGann notched her second touchdown. Then Kilduff emerged the heroine when thumping over the levelling conversion with the final kick of a highly entertaining joust.
BUCCS HOST BALLYMENA IN SATURDAY NIGHT SHOWDOWN
BUCCANEERS host Ballymena in a greatly anticipated Ulster Bank League showdown at Dubarry Park when Division 1B resumes after the lengthy festive break. This game will take place under the newly upgraded floodlights at the Athlone stadium on this Saturday night with the action kicking off at 7.30 p.m. Russell Brennan Keane are match sponsors for the “return leg” of a fixture that was niggly when the sides clashed at Eaton Park on the first weekend of December. Although not playing anywhere near their full potential, Buccs eked out a 18-13 victory that keeps the midlanders on top of the league table as the second half of the campaign commences. Ballymena lie in fourth place, twelve points adrift of the Pirates.
Referee Gary Conway could be the key ingredient in this pot boiler. Focus and discipline will be vital factors for Buccaneers as they strive to keep their momentum going. The Athlone side lost their opening AIL game of the season away to Ballynahinch but since then have recorded eight victories on the trot. On home ground and in front of a big attendance, the Pirates will be hoping to keep that momentum going. Buccs got a bit of a whacking away to Cork Con in the Cup last weekend but they had to field a considerably weakened squad. Hopefully, they will have their Connacht Eagles contingent available for this vital test. Forwards Cian Romaine, Danny Qualter, Saba Meunargia, Rory Moloney and Shane Delahunt were all involved with the province against the Cornish Pirates as was versatile back Luke Carty. Injury ruled scrumhalf Conor McKeon out of that contest but likely replacement Frankie Hopkins has had his first start, albeit not in the best of circumstances for the U-20 at Temple Hill. However, he will have benefited from that outing as will Callum Boland, Eoghan O’Reilly, Rory O’Connor and Alex Hayman who have not had a lot of game time recently. Shane Layden sustained an injury in Cork but, hopefully, he will be fit and ready to link up with Mata Fifita in the centre while much may depend on the form of Alan Gaughan. The outhalf needs to be on top of his game for this encounter and, if Jordan Conroy performs likewise, the speedy winger can show what was missing when the teams met last month.
The forwards exchanges are likely to be keenly contested and here Kolo Kiripati may come in for some close attention. Martin Staunton, Stephen McVeigh, John Sutton, Evan Galvin, Ruairi Byrne and Rory Grenham can be counted on to give of their best while youngsters like Simon Meagher and Ryan O’Meara will be itching to be involved.
Stephen Mulholland and Bryan Young are the leaders in the Braidsmens’ pack where Connor Smyth and David Whann will work to the very end for their cause. Mark Best is having a memorable season in the centre while strong-running fullback Rodger McBurney is a real threat. David Shanahan, if available, is an enterprising scrumhalf and James Beattie is another danger in the northerners’ backline. Ballymena were aggrieved to lose at home last time out and they desperately need to win to keep in touch with the pacemakers so will be fired up for this battle.
However, Buccs (if near to full strength) have the artillery to deal with their challenge. They have a decent mix of graft and guile, inventiveness and industry. If their application and endeavour is what it needs to be, then the Athlone side can (with the support of a big home crowd) continue their winning ways in this floodlit encounter. Meanwhile, the pre-match function is filling up nicely. €30 gets you a 3-course meal with wine in The Bounty, complimentary yearbook including teamsheets, and free admission to the big game. There is some limited availability at time of writing so contact Geraldine 0861732711 or Pat Hynes 0876883833 to book. Meanwhile, U-18’s and younger are admitted FREE to this match!
OTHER FIXTURES
BUCCANEERS SECONDS take on their Galwegians counterparts in Round 2 of the Connacht Junior Cup at Dubarry Park on Sunday afternoon, kick off 2 p.m. Both clubs are in the lower half of Division 1A so there is little between them. However, Buccs pipped the light blues in their league meeting at Crowley Park but since then the Pirates form has been indifferent. But they displayed commendable commitment when forging a last gasp victory away to NUIG last Sunday. On the same day, Galwegians were in rampant form when despatching Loughrea from this Cup on a 48-7 scoreline so they may be hitting form at a crucial stage of the season. However, Buccs can be counted on to give of their best, especially against the men from Glenina, so a typical Cup battle looks in prospect.
BUCCANEERS U-20’s will be striving to get their drive for the knockout stages back on track when Old Wesley visit Athlone in the J.P.Fanagan Leinster U-20 Premier League 2. This match also goes ahead at Dubarry Park on Sunday with a 2.30 p.m. kick off. Buccs slipped up last week in Greystones when they fielded a depleted panel due to a cohort being on duty with the Senior squad in Cork. However, they should have the bulk of those players available this weekend as they bid for a win that should ensure they retain second place in this division.
‘
