BUCCANEERS 30 NAAS 0
BUCCANEERS U-20s improved as their J.P.Fanagan Leinster Premier League 2 game against Naas progressed and in the end they were deserving of their 30-0 victory in this Section A game played in balmy conditions at Dubarry Park on Sunday.
Buccs made six changes, a number of them enforced, equally divided between backs and forwards for this match. Dylan Duffy, Tadhg Trainor and Matthew Turner started in the backline with Eoghan McLaughlin, Patrick Egan and Elliot Rooney-Digan coming into the pack. It took the midlanders some time to jell and, after an even enough first half, they were the stronger outfit following the change of ends.
With warm sunshine replacing the overnight rain, conditions were perfect with only a slight breeze blowing from the Bounty end. Buccs had the elements in their favour at kick-off and they opened their account with a 7th minute Duffy penalty. Danny Reid then drilled a super 50/22 but the Pirates did not make best use of the resultant close-in lineout while a crossfield kick by the home outhalf was just too firm for his chasing winger.
A couple of penalties gave Naas their first decent territory but Buccs withstood a threatening maul as they were now defending for a period. They then got and took a break when Callum Kelly intercepted in his own half and the fullback raced away for a 33rd minute try. Duffy’s conversion gave the Shannonsiders a 10-0 lead at the interval.
Buccaneers realigned their side at the break but had a let-off when poor handling spoiled a promising Naas move before Duffy extended the home advantage with a 53rd minute penalty. Two minutes later it was not just Munster who profited from two breakaway tries at the weekend with Duffy intercepting and grubber kicking ahead to win the race to touchdown for a try left of the posts. He duly added the conversion to double Buccs halftime lead to 20-0.
At the three-quarters stage, Naas dissent saw a penalty moved forward by ten metres and Duffy landed a beauty. Buccs tapped a final move penalty and McLaughlin stretched over the visitors’ line for his side’s third try. Duffy slotted over the conversion to complete the 30-0 winning margin.
The second half performance was more like it from Buccaneers, especially their relentless defensive work and a more pragmatic approach when on the front foot. Egan was outstanding in the forwards exchanges with strong support from the two Sean’s – Glennon and Rohan – while Duffy was pick of the backs unit where Lorcan McCormack was also prominent.
BUCCANEERS:- C.Kelly; M.Turner, L.McCormack, D.Duffy, T.Trainor; D.Reid, E.McMickan; E.Rooney-Digan, S.Glennon, A.Oates; C.Spellman, E.McLaughlin; A.Saka, S.Rohan (captain) and P.Egan. Replacements:- A.Coonan (for Spellman, h/t), K.Byrne (for Rooney-Digan, h/t), E.Rooney-Digan (for Coonan, 61 mins), S.O’Connor (for Saka, 65 mins), C.Spellman (for McLaughlin, 71 mins) and E.McLaughlin (for McMickan, 75 mins).
NAAS:- J.Osborne; D.Muldoon, Z.Kennedy, L.Malone, S.Duffy; D.Culligan, T.Costello; C.O’Loughlin, H.Dunne, S.O’Loughlin; R.Scully, D.Brownen; J.Cutler, P.Forde and J.Ward. Replacements:- P.Clear, C.Tully, J.Murphy, J.Smith, J.Dempsey, P.Byrne and G.Duffy.
Referee:- Siobhan Daly (Connacht).
