YOUTHS TEAMS MAINTAIN CUP SUCCESSES
Buccaneers Youths teams continued their remarkable season in Connacht Cup competitions with every team from U-13 up to U-17 now qualified for their respective finals scheduled for the end of April/early May! The U-18.5 squad were unlucky to be pipped in an away Cup quarter-final but have progressed to the Plate final so all sides still have much to play for at this late stage of the rugby season. Well done to all the players, coaches and management teams.
Buccs U-17’s advanced to their Cup decider with a hard fought 27-14 win in sunlit Dubarry Park last Sunday over a strong Corinthians outfit. The Athlonians had beaten their Galway rivals in the league but the cup is a different kettle of fish and Buccs playing with the wind in the first half scored a well taken try through Jack Donnelly. Andy Quinn’s kicking was keeping Buccs down in the visitors’ half and he added a penalty before half-time.
Buccs scored again soon after the break and now the lineout was starting to click and they mauled the Galway pack into the ground. A supercharged Sean Rohan was at the bottom of the maul and he along with Niall Tallon and Paddy Egan were the pick of the pack with super-sub Jack Pollard having a huge influence. Half backs Fionn Lyons and Quinn were in fine form as were Euan Joyce and Donnacha Connolly in the three quarters.
BUCCANEERS:- S Doyle, S Rohan, P Brazil, A Oates, S Joyce, P Dolan, J McCormack, G Murphy, M Fallon, J Pollard, P Egan, A Jorge, N Tallon, F Lyons, A Quinn, B Jules, E Joyce, L Cassidy, J Donnelly, S Drummond, J Clarke and D Connolly.
Earlier in the week, Buccaneers U-16’s edged Ballinasloe in a typically fervent derby played in stormy weather at Moher Road on Wednesday night. Buccs progressed on a tight 12-10 scoreline. Meanwhile the U-15’s overcame Ballina in a high-scoring duel at Heffernan Park on Saturday when they had to show true grit to prevail by 33-30 on the 4G surface. The U-13’s had a more comfortable passage when defeating Creggs 34-12 at Dubarry Park on Sunday. All these young players, who are Buccaneers future, deserve great praise for their endeavours — and warrant greater coverage if their mentors would kindly send in brief match reports that would be greatly appreciated.
