Buccaneers advanced to their third successive Bank of Ireland Connacht Senior Cup final with victory over Galway Corinthians.
Buccs scored a hard-earned 27-15 victory over Corinthians at a bright, crisp Dubarry Park on Saturday.
The hosts led from start to finish but found it difficult to shake off their western opponents in a keenly contested duel.
The Athlone side made a perfect start following an early penalty punted to the scoreboard corner. Danny Qualter won the resultant lineout and Cian McCann burst towards the opposition line but was held up just short.
However, McCann presented the ball for the supporting Ryan O’Meara who powered through the cover for a second minute. Michael Hanley converted the try.
Six minutes later the visitors won a line-out on the left and through a series of phases from left to right before Sean Fox’s strength got him over the home line for an unconverted try.
Buccs had the next scoring chance when they turned over possession. A swift counter attack saw Burgess hauled down just short. The strong-running winger was then denied a try due to a foot in touch.
The Pirates maintained their pressure. Following a penalty for a close-in high tackle, Buccs opted for a scrum. Stephen Mannion’s long skipped pass sent Earle over at the left corner for a 21st minute unconverted try.
Buccs made no mistake on 33 minutes. This time slipping possession to Earle who darted in for his second try which was surprisingly not converted.
Corinthians were granted a lifeline when Harry Rogers intercepted near his own 22 and had the legs to go all the way for an opportunist try. Dylan Keane converted with the final action of the half. Buccaneers led 17-12 at the break.
Buccaneers on the backfoot
Corinthians were a rejuvenated force following the restart, pinning Buccs inside the hosts half for most of the third-quarter. But the Shannonsiders defence stood up to all that the visitors could muster. Even allowing for Mannion being in the sin-bin for a wayward tackle.
Mannion making a crucial tackle on his return, shunting Michael O’Reilly into touch just before the hour mark.
The hosts utilised their bench in the final quarter. Tom Shine and McDonnell made good ground to earn a central penalty on 71 minutes.
Buccs prudently opted to kick with Hanley putting them two scores to the good with time running out. Corinthians responded with a similar score by Keane, leaving five between the sdies with four minutes remaining.
Buccaneers sealed their progress to the decider with the score of the match. Following a scrum on the visitors’ 10-metre line, Leo MacFarlane popped the ball to Burgess, who powered through a handful of tackles to dive over for a superb solo try at The Bounty corner.
Hanley’s fine conversion completed the scoring and the action with Buccaneers victorious on a 27-15 score line.
Buccaneers: C.O’Shaughnessy (T.Shine 46); O.Burgess, S.Layden (c), S.Mannion, M.Earle; M.Hanley, L.MacFarlane; J.Kelly, O.Dolan, F.Murray (M.Staunton 60); F.McDonnell, D.Qualter; R.O’Meara (L.Balsiger 69), C.Walsh (G.Daly 60), C.McCann
Replacements not used: J.Nagle, C.Daly.
Corinthians: O.Burke; M.O’Reilly, S.Fox, T.Waters, F.MacCearra; D.Keane, J.Tierney; P.Fahy, A.Nash, A.Burke; G.Kilkelly, R.van Rensburg; D.Fitzpatrick, P.Flannery, M.Boyle (c).
Replacements: E.Oifoh, J.Hughes, M.Garcia Peret, G.Murray, K.Brennan, H.Rogers, H.Sheridan.
Referee: Shane Touhy (Connacht)
