BUCCANEERS 21 SLIGO 5
On a sunny and breezy afternoon, Buccaneers Juniors got their act together in the second half of this Bank of Ireland Christy Reid Cup fixture played at Dubarry Park on Saturday when the homesters ran out 21-5 victors.
The fare served up by both teams in the first half was quite poor. Buccs had benefit of the breeze and dominated territory without ever really threatening to score. Sligo finished the half with a flourish but it remained scoreless at half-time. However, the Shannonsiders were much more purposeful following the change of ends and a couple of impressive mauls were finished off by Sam Fogarty for a 44th minute try converted by Richie Greene.
Sligo responded with a Tom Esler try but Buccs now took a firm grip on the proceedings although Reuben Colleran was unfortunate to have his touchdown ruled out. But the young backrower made an incisive 62nd minute break that was finished off by another substitute Gonzalo Catarino. Catarino made an impressive contribution following his introduction and powered over for a second try after further sustained home pressure.
Greene added excellent conversions to complete the 21-5 winning margin and home mentors will have been pleased to see a much more energetic and cohesive second half display by a mainly youthful squad.
BUCCANEERS:- R.Greene; T.Trainor, K.Czerniak, C.Rooney-Digan, J.Rosney; D.Reid, H.McGowan; O.Donoghue, C.Daly, A.Oates; L.Giles, S.Fogarty (captain); A.Saka, B.Foxe and K.Byrne. Replacements:- O.Dolan (for Donoghue), H.Balsiger (for Rooney-Digan), R.Colleran (for Foxe), Donoghue (for Oates), A.Oates (for C.Daly), B.Daly (for Czerniak), E.Naughton (for Dolan), E.McMickan (for Saka), G.Catarino (for Byrne), B.Foxe (for Fogarty), and P.Malassou (for Rosney).
SLIGO:- C.McGoldrick; D.Janik, A.Deegan, E.Gavin, C.Creaven; A.Ward, J.Fleming; M.Bradley, E.Lang, S.Garvey; K.Roper, R.Burrows; T.Walsh, L.Thornton and T.Smith. Replacements:- B.O’Hehir, J.Laws, T.Esler and J.Kearns.
Referee:- Darragh Hopkins (Connacht).
