YOUTHS PROGRESS IN CUPS
BUCCANEERS U-14 ‘black’ team reached the final of the Connacht Cup with a hard fought 19-0 win over Sligo in Strandhill. Buccs defence was outstanding all day with Nathan Kelly and Reuben Colleran leading the way but it was a collective effort from the team that kept Sligo scoreless. The irrepressible Phillip Finnan was a huge threat all day and scored 3 tries with Darragh Glennon adding two conversions but the attacking intent of the team carried a continuous threat. This Buccs outfit keep improving and will have to be at their best to overcome a rampant Carrick-on-Shannon team in the final.
In the Plate game v Ballina Buccs resilience was tested to the full by a strong team of Mayo boys and they showed buckets of fight with Sean Brett scoring their sole try. These boys have come on a long journey since the start of the season and there is great improvement in the group. The U-14’s are the only squad to field two teams in the Cup and this will reap huge benefits for Buccs in the future.
BUCCANEERS:- C West, J Kelly, J Ryan, P Bourke, E Claffe,y R Colleran, R Dolan, N Kelly, H McGowan, T Coleman, D Cleary, S Byrne, O Egan, S Nugent, P Finnan, D Glennon, J Bourke, V Boladski, A Juan, K Nolan, D Dullea, A Gonzalo, E O’Sulliva,n N Stewart, S Brett, A Connors, A Joyce, C Brazil, E Duffy, H Hannon, F Byrne and A Browne.
BUCCANEERS U-17’s played their third friendly in three weeks on Saturday in Ennis and are playing their best ever rugby as a prelude to their Cup semi-final at home to Corinthians on Sunday next. Kick-off is 12 noon. Half backs Fionn Lyons and Andy Quinn ran the show with Donnacha Connolly and Josh McCormack outstanding. The back row were also very conspicuous.
BUCCANEERS:- A Oates, S Doyle, P Brazil, A Usman, M Fallon, M Connors, G Murphy, N Tallon, S Rohan, Jorge Pieto, O Byrne, F Lyons, A Quinn, A Jules, S Pepe, E Joyce, J McCormack, D Connolly, J Clarke and M Jurginas.
BUCCANEERS U-18.5’s also enjoyed a splendid away win their Cup, beating Westport 19-0. Buccs U-16’s face a local derby in their Cup semi-final, making the short trip to Ballinasloe on Wednesday evening. The action kicks off at 7 p.m. at the Moher Road ground. Our U-15’s played a high-scoring friendly against Young Munster and are also in their Cup semi-final but have a longer trip on Saturday to square up to Ballina with this game getting under way at 2.30 p.m. The U-13’s are in Cup action too on Saturday when Creggs are the visitors to Dubarry Park for a 1.30 p.m. kick-off.
