BUCCANEERS 22 CASTLEBAR 24
BUCCANEERS SECONDS suffered a heartbreak defeat in their Bank of Ireland Connacht Junior 1A League basement battle at home to Castlebar when the visitors won this relegation tie 24-22 via a last kick of the game penalty.
Castebar had first use of the strong cool breeze and cut through far too easily for a try inside the opening minute. Buccs were not switched on as the visitors raided down the right and, when the ball was transferred across the paddock, Oisin Moran was able to run in unchallenged for a try which Sean O’Grady converted. Four minutes later Buccs were pinged at a scrum and O’Grady’s penalty gave the Mayo men an early 8-0 lead.
Buccs replied when Cian Daly surged forward along the stand side to send Harry Hughes scampering away for a 14th minute try with the homesters being a shade fortunate as there may have been a foot in touch in the move. A brace of O’Grady penalties extended Castlebar 14-5 to the good.
Buccs finished the half strongly against the elements forcing a series of penalties and, following an impressive maul, Jack Crampton stretched over for a 35th minute try converted by Fergal Lennon. This reduced their arrears to 12-14 at the interval at which stage Castlebar’s Sean Collins was in the sin bin following a high tackle.
Buccs suffered a crucial setback 7 minutes into the second half when fullback Lennon’s untidy tackle in the slippery conditions was deemed worthy of a red card. Castlebar soon made their numerical advantage pay when Carl Jackson got in for a 52nd minute try converted by O’Grady. Just five minutes later a great poach by Crampton sent the No.8 powering forward and Dylan Bolger finished off this move for an unconverted try.
Ten minutes from time, 14-man Buccaneers went through multiple phases until Oisin O’Donoghue breached the Bar defence for another unconverted try. Unfortunately neither of these tries were converted in the absence of first choice placekicker Lennon. However, the Pirates now led by the minimum 22-21 but in the final move they conceded a penalty. O’Grady was flawless off the tee and he made no mistake to steal the victory that ensures Castlebar’s J1A survival.
Sam Fogarty, Crampton, Atrio Abono, Cormac McDonagh and Jack Dowd did their utmost for gallant Buccaneers who did not make the most of the breeze and now face a relegation play-off. But if they can repeat the spirit shown in this intensely contested encounter and reduce their penalty count, then they can retain their J1A status.
BUCCANEERS:- F.Lennon; H.Hughes, C.McDonagh, H.Balsiger (captain), J.Dowd; S.Tan, D.Connolly; A.Abono, C.Daly, O.O’Donoghue; F.McDonnell, S.Fogarty; A.Markov, G.Daly and J.Crampton. Replacments:- J.Rosney (for Connolly, inj. 19 mins), C.Malone (for Abono, 46 mins), L.Giles (for McDonnell, 46 mins), B.Foxe (for O’Donoghue, 46 mins), D.Bolger (for C.Daly, 46 mins), A.Abono (for Wilson, 64 mins), F.McDonnell (for Crampton, 64 mins) and O.O’Donoghue (for Abono, 66 mins).
CASTLEBAR:- S.Burke; J.Balaski, E.Rago, L.Staunton, O.Moran; S.O’Grady, C.McInerney; C.Jackson, S.Collins, S.Tonra (captain); B.O’Flaherty, E.Anselm; C.Fahey, B.Graham and D.Flynn. Replacements used:- D.O’Donnell, R.Sweeney, A.Murphy, S.Rogan and D.Togher.
Referee:- Eoin Staunton (Connacht).
