U-18.5’s RETAIN CONNACHT CUP!
BUCCANEERS 32 CORINTHIANS 13
BUCCANEERS retained the Bank of Ireland Connacht U-18.5 Cup with a convincing 32-13 victory over Corinthians at The Green, Creggs, on Easter Sunday. The rain held off mainly on a dull afternoon at the well-appointed venue as Buccs, with just three survivors from last season’s starters, took a firm grip on the proceedings from the kick-off.
Andrew Henson, fresh from his exploits with the Ireland Schools squad, set the tone with a fine break that took some steadfast defending to hold him out after only 4 minutes. Buccs early pressure was rewarded on 9 minutes when they wisely choose to slot over a penalty via the boot of Kyle Mahon. Shortly afterwards Luca Cormican made ground that was carried on by Joshua McCormack and the ball was moved to Paul O’Sullivan on the left flank where it took a committed tackle to shunt him into touch close to the Corinthians line.
Buccs eventually got the try that their endeavours merited after 17 minutes. McCormack made one of his many strong breaks and linked up with Sean Glennon who burst forward. The hooker was held out almost on the line but got the ball back to Kyle Byrne who dived over the cover for a smartly taken try. Mahon added the conversion to put the Pirates 10-0 ahead.
Five minutes later Byrne looked to have snatched his second try but it was ruled out due to crossing earlier in the move. However, the Shannonsiders were not to be denied for long with some splendid handling and terrific support play being finished off by Micheal Kelly on 31 minutes. Mahon’s conversion rebounded off an upright but the Athlone side led 15-3 at half-time.
13 minutes into the second half Corinthians touched down on the right for an unconverted try but this lifeline was negated by Buccaneers within 3 minutes. Kailin Blessing made a good break up the centre where Charlie O’Carroll’s clever pass sent Thomas Cotton charging through a gap for a try converted by Mahon.
Corinthians continued to battle and on 22 minutes, following a scrum on the right, they moved the ball to the opposite wing where Dylan Hannon dotted down for their second unconverted try. But Buccs again retorted swiftly with the hard-running Cotton notching his second and his team’s fourth try with Mahon adding the conversion. Although substitute Tadhg Trainor incurred a harsh yellow card, Buccaneers had the final say when Mahon drilled over a late penalty to confirm Buccaneers 32-13 victory.
Buccs were the better unit overall and did well in the tight against larger forwards. Skipper McCormack led by example, driving forward time and again. Blessing, Glennon, Byrne and Tyler Mason all had good moments in the forwards exchanges despite the absence of Leo Anic. Buccs had the sharper backs unit with Henson, Cotton, Mahon and O’Sullivan all eager and able operators.
After the final, the Cup was presented to victorious captain Joshua McCormack by Robert Lahiffe on behalf of Connacht Rugby who said words of encouragement to both sets of players and, in a nice touch, also fondly remembered Noelie Ryan.
BUCCANEERS:- A.Henson; E.Coyle, T.Cotton, M.Kelly, P.O’Sullivan; K.Mahon, D.Lyons; K.Blessing, S.Glennon, R.Duffy; J.McCormack (captain), T.Mason; E.McMickan, L.Cormican and K.Byrne. Replacements:- C.O’Carroll (for Lyons, 42 mins), T.Trainor (for Mason, 57 mins), E.Rooney-Digan (for Duffy, 61 mins), M.O’Connor (for Coyle, 65 mins), R.Fallon (for McMickan, 65 mins), M.Turner, S.Duffy and C.Hudson.
CORINTHIANS:- A.Laffey; B.Grealy, F.O’Braonain, D.Browne, O.Berthoz; L.Mullarkey, D.Conneely; J.Fahy, O.Meehan, D.Noone; M.J.Fahy, S.Burns; P.Thiam, L.Keaveny and J.O’Donovan Greaney (captain). Replacements:- C.Duffy, M.Fallon, N.Briggs, J.Maloney, K.Schouten, J.Farragher, D.Hannon and E.Harte.
Referee:- Shane Touhy (Connacht).
