BUCCANEERS 0 CORINTHIANS 24
BUCCANEERS were below par in their Bank of Ireland Connacht U-16 Cup final against Corinthians with the Tribesmen being deserving victors on a 24-0 scoreline. In front of a big crowd at The Green, Creggs, these young Buccs did not hit the form they are capable of while the city side were more clinical when chances presented themselves on a grey Sunday afternoon.
The early exchanges were evenly contested and the Pirates had the first scoring opportunity but Darragh Murray’s 11th minute fine penalty kick against the breeze from outside the ten-metre line dipped under the crossbar. Two minutes later Carlos Bertomeu played his side into trouble when tryng an ill-judged attempt to run from behind his own goalline and the fullback sustained an injury in the process that caused his withdrawal shortly afterwards.
A John Finnan break was followed by a good maul as Buccs threatened to open the scoring. Corinthians responded when Josh Keane waltzed through for 40 metres to earn a penalty in front of the posts. Surprisingly they took a tap and go which they messed up but they now enjoyed a spell of good territory which, despite a knock-on at a ruck, was finished off by Colin Roche for a 22nd minute try converted by Keane.
Buccs replied with a strong maul following a penalty to the left but the opposition defence held firm. Sean O’Hara then made a surging run down the left flank but was questionably deemed to have been in touch before he off-loaded. Then Corinthians got a massive boost when a length of the field move was finished off by Roche for his second try. Keane’s conversion with the final act of the half put the westerners 14-0 ahead.
Drizzle added to the challenges for the players as Buccs had the greater share of possession after the change of ends without really threatening the opposition line. Then two tries in quick succession, the second scored by Jamie Dillon, gave Corinthians a firm grip on the outcome and they were able to unload their bench. They were the better outfit on the day as they completed a Cup and League double. The scoreline did not reflect the efforts by Buccaneers who will be disappointed that they did not perform to their potential on the occasion.
BUCCANEERS:- C.Bertomeu; C.Donohue, E.Friel, J.Finnan, R.Hughes; D.Murray, S.Lowe; M.Doolan, C.McCormack, P.D.Sunny; B.Rourke, S.O’Hara; T.Herron, M.Fallon (captain) and A.Murphy. Replacements:- E.Carr (for Bertomeu, inj. 23 mins), R.O’Connor (for S.Lowe), H.Lowe (for Herron), A.Costello (for Rourke), C.Doran (for Doolan), C.Sylla (for Sunny), C.Donohoe, S.Bamidele and A.Claffey.
CORINTHIANS:- C.Roche; J.Keane, E.Gannon, J.Molloy, R.O’Neachtain; E.McDonagh, C.Garvey; J.Hernon, R.Gill, M.Duignan; J.Fahy, A.Langan; F.O’Neachtain, E.Healy (captain) and E.Colleran. Replacements:- C.Madden, C.Keaveny, C.Niland, J.Dillon, J.Flynn, L.Dilleen, J.Clarke, L.Gillard, E.Murphy and C.Collins.
Referee:- Mark Fitzgerald (Connacht).
